It’s a common misconception that a zero-waste/sustainable lifestyle is expensive. In some ways it can be, when you think about the picture investments like green buses, clean energy, etc. But on an individual level, there are so many ways in which saving money and reducing waste crossover. I got into sustainable living because I was money-conscious and wanted to save a penny every where I could. When I started to learn about green lifestyles, suddenly I realised that I was achieving a lot already, bringing my reusable cup to cafes, buying in bulk, swapping books from friends. This blog covers 10 things to think about when trying to save money and reduce waste - enjoy!
1. Use up what you’ve got.
Tale as old as time, really, but the cheapest way to get into sustainability is simply looking in your cupboards and wardrobes. A reusable tote bag is cute, but be honest… you’ve got a bag of bags somewhere that will do the job just fine! This will dramatically change up your perspective in terms of where the power lies – the solution to reducing waste does not lie out there in the wild; waste that occurs within your household is somewhat within your control. Therefore, the solution lies there.
2. Resist buying things before you need them.
Resist buying replacements before you’ve run out of things, especially make-up, toiletries and so forth. The new and exciting product will distract you from finishing your current product and will often result in accumulating lots of part-used mascaras that eventually dry up. Use up what you’ve got, buy less, save money, reduce waste.
3. Get into reusables.
Yes, this does often take an initial investment, but making the money back is super quick! Think about a travel mug or flask - you can get a good quality mug for on-the-go cheaper than the coffee you’re about to buy that could go in it! Reusables reduce the number of items you use and thus reduce the demand for companies to produce the single use version - this is a principle that applies to many of the points in this blog.
4. Let go.
If you don’t need something, stop replacing it, buying it, storing it. My rule with clothes is that if I haven’t worn something for two years then it’s clearly not in my style anymore (that’s a very generous timeframe but I don’t change fashion often). In the case that I find it’s time to let go, I sell or take to a clothes swap (see below) to get some money back. Alternatively, STOP BUYING things that adverts convince you that you need but that are actually useless and pointless.
5. DIY – make and do things yourself.
Saving your pennies and the planet is a hands-on job. Cook from scratch, fix your own shelf, or gather resources from out of your recycling bin. I grew up in a Scouting environment and the resourcefulness I learned has put me in good stead for transitioning to a more sustainable lifestyle. I’m not some sewing magician or a Michelin star chef, but I try to make time to do these things when I can. Even just darning one sock poorly to extend its life for another month is a good job!
6. Second-hand and refurbished.
I don’t remember when exactly I stopped being so judgemental of second hand items, but one day I just found myself scouring the charity shops and being astonished at what you could get! High quality items for affordable prices and the profit going to charity. Thrift stores, depop and Vinted are the more trendy options, but the best deals are definitely in those charity shops. Aside from clothes, it’s also worth considering your technology - buying secondhand or refurbished cuts the price massively and significantly reduces the carbon impact of the tech industry.
7. Look after your belongings.
They will last longer and serve you better. If a machine says you should clean it so many times a year, do it! If your clothes have washing advice on them, follow that. Simply storing things like food in the correct conditions (fridge, dark cupboard, etc.) will make it last longer. And if something lasts longer, that reduces how often you need to replace them, which…. saves money!
8. Borrow and swap stuff.
Whilst clothes swaps are a pre-covid luxury, swapping and borrowing between communities has not stopped. If you need something just once, e.g. you’re making a new recipe that requires a particular kitchen utensil that your friend has, or you need a handful of an ingredient rather than a full pack, borrowing is an ideal solution. Tool Libraries have started popping up all over Europe, and I hope to see them continue – these offer loans of manual tools for DIY, so individuals don’t need to purchase one each. Swapping is a form of exchange that operates above money and allows you to let go without regretting not selling it. Say you don’t have time for depop, but you know someone who is getting rid of some jeans and they love your jacket - go ahead and swap!
9. Fix things.
Mend your own clothes, re-order the broken part to your kettle, contact the supplier for guidance, contact the IT department at your workplace or university for support with your laptop. Before resorting to buying something (new or secondhand), try to fix it first. This is usually cheaper and is most definitely better for the planet.
10. Be prepared.
Anticipating opportunities for waste to creep into your life is vital in reducing it - likewise with keeping those pounds in your pocket. For example, making a packed lunch avoids spending money on takeaway or food on-the-go which can often come in very wasteful packaging. It also ensures that you eat things you already have in your cupboard and fridge rather than eating out and allowing things to go off. For me, I make the most of a free evening to batch cook and freeze portions, so that when I am busy later in the week I won’t waste food through lack of time to cook, and won’t purchase takeaway or ready meals which are expensive and wasteful.
Hopefully, after this you’ve acquired some new modes of thinking to help reduce waste and save money in your life, but also maybe you’re already doing some of these things! If so, great job! If not, don’t worry at all. We are all just trying to do our best and live more sustainably, for some it will be easier in some aspects of their life than others. Just keep swimming and we’re always here to help you if you want to chat!
Author: Holly
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