She Strengthens

Embracing Imperfect Sustainability

As someone who’s far from perfect when it comes to making eco-friendly choices, I’ve learned that it’s the small, incremental changes that add up to make a significant impact. My journey towards sustainability began with educating myself on personal finance and minimalism, which led me to reduce my meat consumption and ditch fast fashion. However, I always felt that reducing waste was a daunting task, requiring a complete overhaul of my daily habits.

Finding Affordable Solutions

The key to my success lies in discovering inexpensive and convenient alternatives that don’t disrupt my daily routine. It’s not about achieving perfection; it’s about making imperfect changes that collectively contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle. As Anne-Marie Bonneau so aptly puts it, “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”

5 Sustainable Swaps Under $20

1. Ditch Single-Use Produce Bags
   Replace them with reusable mesh produce bags, eliminating 104 plastic bags from your annual waste. Keep your reusable bags handy in your car or everyday bag to avoid forgetting them.

2. Say Goodbye to Dryer Sheets
   Switch to reusable wool dryer balls, reducing energy consumption and waste. Plus, they make your clothes smell great!

3. Bar Soap: A Simple yet Effective Switch
   Ditch bottled body wash for bar soap, saving money and reducing waste. Invest in a soap holder to eliminate soap residue.

4. Bamboo Toothbrushes: A Small Change with a Big Impact
   Replace plastic toothbrushes with bamboo ones, reducing waste and saving money.

5. Menstrual Cups: A Game-Changer for Periods
   For those who menstruate, consider switching to menstrual cups, reducing waste and saving money in the long run.

Challenges I’m Still Facing

While I’ve made progress, there are still areas where I struggle to reduce waste. I’d love your insights and advice on the following:

• Paper Towels: How can I quickly clean up big messes without using paper towels or risking stains on my kitchen towels?
• Food Packaging: Are there alternatives to plastic packaging for items like tortillas, cheese, and coffee?
• Delivery and Packaging Waste: How do zero-wasters avoid packaging waste from online shopping and food delivery?

Your Turn!

I hope these ideas inspire you to make small changes towards a more sustainable lifestyle. Share your thoughts, suggestions, and experiences in the comments below!