Beginners Guide to Adopting a Greener Routine
April 12, 2023
The verdict is in, and green is the new black. Some may no longer be tiptoeing around the fact that our climate is changing rapidly and globally, with lengthier natural disasters (in places where there are usually none) and volatile temperatures. For many, environmental sustainability might have never crossed their minds. With all the verbiage out there, it may feel overwhelming to know where to start. Unfortunately, being environmentally conscious has been conventionally associated with luxury. Although climate-smart products are, on average, more expensive than conventional ones, there are plenty of creative ways to partake in the environmental movement without shelving over your whole paycheque (a courtesy to the running Wholefoods joke).
In this article, we show you no-fuss ways you can do your part.
Start your day with “Greens”
Although green powders have grown in affinity, not everyone may love the flavour enough to stick by it. On the other hand, authentic matcha powder has a unique, umami flavour with a subtle natural sweetness that is more easily adopted. You can top off your matcha with steamed dairy-free milk to make a delicious and frothy alternative to coffee. Alternatively, try Organic Summer Harvest in your greens smoothie for a refreshing start to your day.
Choosing organic matcha powder will ensure you consume matcha without harmful pesticides or chemical fertilizers. You can read all about the environmental benefits of consuming organic matcha here.
The health benefits of matcha are abundant, being a rich source of antioxidants, catechins, polyphenols, L-theanine, and chlorophyll.
Matcha is also practically waste-free, as you consume the whole tea leaf without using paper filters. Domatcha tins can be easily recycled or reused as spice jars.
Adopt a Minimalist Closet
When people think of adopting a greener closet, they often consider the expenses involved. On average, people choose fast fashion because it’s more affordable and tend to buy more for the same reason.
The fact is, you can choose a few staple pieces that are high quality and made with environmentally sustainable materials over buying 10 pieces of fast fashion.
A lighter closet is a more sustainable closet. Travelling with a lighter closet is easier and less tedious to clean every season. Try donating some unworn clothing, and only buy new clothes when needed. Invest in sturdy outerwear and timeless pieces that can be worn for longer. Even if you don’t choose sustainable material, reducing the frequency of purchases can help reduce your personal emissions rate.
Do a Product Audit
If you do a sweep across your home, how many products do you think are sustainably made? It can be hard to tell sometimes, which is why reading labels can help us determine what to put inside our homes. Remember, even things like laundry detergent or air freshener are things we come into frequently. We want to ensure that none of the things we’re regularly using will release potentially toxic or harmful substances into our environment.
Organic certifications are probably one of the easiest and more legitimate labels to watch out for. Other claims like 100% natural, vegan, or cruelty-free are good also, but they’re vaguer.
Another easy way to get more clean home products is to shop at natural health stores. These specialty retailers usually only carry products that fit within their qualifications.
Eat 80% Plant-Based
Did you know one-quarter of the world’s greenhouse emissions come from food production? Methane gas, produced from meat production, makes up a considerable chunk of that. Plus, ginormous amounts of water is required to produce meat. We can reduce our environmental footprint by reducing meat consumption and choosing plant-based protein sources like beans, quinoa, tofu, and spirulina.
Conclusion
If you’ve recently been more conscious about the environment, we recommend identifying the areas in your life and consumption where you can reduce carbon emissions. Choosing a more natural, plant-based diet and cleaner household supplies helps you move toward carbon-neutral and is better for your long-term health.