June 5th was World Environment Day – and this month is a great time to consider our environmental footprint.

Because I am into sustainability and endeavour to be environmentally conscious, I am often asked about things we can all do to make less of a negative impact on our beautiful planet. So I have decided to put a bit of a list together and I am sure you can all add more…

I can’t imagine why anyone would disagree with things that reduce pollution, and with a bit of thought as we go about our daily lives, we can really ‘up our impact’ towards sustainability.

Most of these are common sense and seem obvious, but if you are like me, you might need a gentle reminder from time to time. Life gets so busy and it can be easy to overlook the simple things.

Always think – REDUCE REUSE RECYCLE REFUSE. If you set a goal of one small change a month, then in one year you have made 12 meaningful contributions to a sustainable future.

Less packaging means the need to put bins out is reduced. Ours go out less than once a month, and it feels great to know we are helping to reduce land fill.

So here goes just a few…well more than a few… of the things I regularly think about and act on in my daily living. There are so many more – we could all write a book, and we really can make a huge difference. This is part 1, more will follow.

• I once read an article by a man in his 50’s who was talking about taking sustainability very seriously and raised a very good point. If we look after our health and therefore need less doctors, drugs, chemicals and medical attention to maintain our wellbeing then we are acting responsibly towards not only ourselves, but our neighbours and our planet. If we stay healthier by making healthier lifestyle choices – diet, exercise, reducing our toxic loads, then we put less strain on the system and allow it to be more available for when we, or others, really need it. 
  
  
• There are now great choices in personal products that have less negative impact, including the packaging. Shampoo Bars, Conditioner bars, Organic personal hygiene products, toothpaste, bamboo toothbrushes – just to name a few. Shop around, and make better choices. 
  
  
• In winter, add another layer of clothing and turn the heater down a notch.
  
  
• Only put as much water as you immediately need in the kettle to boil.
  
  
• Buy yourself an old fashioned wicker basket and keep it in the car together with your other ‘green’ bags. It will last you years and years and is very handy for all those things you ‘pop into the shop’ for – especially buying fruit and veg as you won’t need separate bags for them. – I have one of my mother’s that I use.
  
  
• There are lots of carry bags, produce bags etc. to choose from now that are much friendlier than plastic – choose ones that will last a long time and in themselves have less impact. For example a cloth bag (you can make your own out of old clothes) or a hessian bag will last a lot longer and is better in its manufacture than many other options.
  
  
• Carry your own thermo cup with you for those take away hot drinks – disposable drink cups are a bit of an environmental nightmare – each one you DON’T get will make a difference.
  
  
• You can now recycle all those bits of soft plastic that package our food and other household items. It may take a bit of extra attention to detail, but instead of throwing in the bin, throw in a bag and take to Coles or Woolworths next time you are shopping there or nearby.
  
  
• Better still find a great shop where you can take your own containers and reusable produce bags, and/or where they supply paper bags and help cut down food and household item packaging by the trailer load each year.
  
  
• Buy in bulk, saving on individual small packaging waste, and transfer to reusable containers at home. I do this with things like toilet paper (https://au.whogivesacrap.org/), shampoo and conditioner, loose leaf tea and other herbs (https://au.iherb.com, https://www.australherbs.com.au/). The initial outlay is a bit more but you can save a lot of money and reduce your negative impact in a big way. 
  

The old saying ‘prevention is better than cure’ is very apt in the pursuit of sustainability. What things can you do better in your own life, how can this make a difference to you and your loved ones and how can it make a difference to the world in general?

I would love it if you shared one or six of your own sustainability ideas in the comments at the end of my blog. Part 2 coming soon.

Be Happy.

Merelyn

Merelyn’s writing is supported in part by the sale of her books. Autobiography - ‘The Deepest Part of Me’.  ‘Inspire’ – inspirational reflections for your life’s journey.  ‘Stories behind the Songs’ and her first children’s picture book ‘To The Moon and Back - Grandma’s Rocket Ship Adventure’. To find out more about her work and to support her through the purchase of her writings and music, please go to www.carterandcarter.com.au