Welcome to Naked Sustainability Podcast. This bold podcast helps busy millennials navigate real-life sustainability with practical tips, no-nonsense advice, and a zero-fucks-given attitude, all through a transparent and authentic lens of living in the real world. Join Ginny for lively conversations, expert interviews, and hilarious anecdotes. From eco-fashion to zero-waste living, we’ll empower you to be an eco-warrior without compromising your badass lifestyle. Get ready to kick some eco-ass.
Unlock the secrets to mindful consumption in our latest episode! Dive into the world of sustainable purchasing decisions, crafted for the modern millennial on-the-go. Explore practical strategies for integrating authentic sustainability into your busy lifestyle. Join us as we navigate the intersection of conscious consumerism and hectic schedules, empowering you to make impactful choices without sacrificing convenience. Tune in now for actionable insights on living sustainably in the fast lane!
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Table of Contents
Making Conscious Purchases
Hey friends! Welcome back to the Naked Sustainability Podcast where we discuss living our busy lives as sustainably as possible. It’s Ginny and today we’re going to explore the powerful combination of minimizing our waste and making conscious purchasing decisions. So grab your reusable mug and let’s dive in.
Understanding the Impact of Waste
Let’s start by understanding the true impact our waste has on this planet. Waste isn’t just something that we throw away and forget about; we send it to the curb and someone carts it off. It has far reaching consequences for the environment and the world we live in.
Did you know that every year, millions of tons of waste end up in landfills, and the oceans, and other natural habitats?
This waste pollutes our air, seeps into the water, our soil, it harms wildlife and ecosystems far and wide. From single use plastics to our electronic waste, the types of waste that we generate as humans are diverse and can be very damaging. But fear not, by making conscious choices, we reduce our contribution to this global issue.
Environmental Consequences of Consumerism
To truly grasp the magnitude of this issue, let’s delve into some examples, highlight how we can help, and when our actions are multiplied, how we can make a significant difference. The impacts of waste are felt far and wide, and are multifaceted, and can affect various aspects of the environment, our human health, and socioeconomic conditions. Here are some key impacts of waste.
Environmental Pollution
There’s environmental pollution, which is vastly made up of non biodegradable materials like plastics or other electronics, that ends up polluting ecosystems when it’s improperly disposed of. These landfills end up releasing greenhouse gases like methane and toxic chemicals into the air, and plastic waste into the ocean harms marine life and those ecosystems.
Resource Depletion
There’s also resource depletion to think about. Manufacturing products from raw materials does actually require a significant amount of energy and resources. And when we mine those resources, we can’t keep mining them forever. They’re non renewable.
So, when these products are discarded as waste, the resources invested into their production, as well as the resources that we got from the earth, are wasted. This leads to the depletion of natural resources such as minerals, water, and our forests.
Habitat Destruction
There’s also habitat destruction, to think about where we improperly dispose of waste and it leads to the habitat destruction or loss of biodiversity in that area. One major one is the rainforest. As we cut down the rainforest, a lot of animals and species that call the rainforest home are displaced and have to be moved out into differing conditions that they’re not used to.
Landfills and waste dumps also encroached upon natural habitats, which displace the wildlife and disrupt the ecosystems there.
Soil and Water Contamination
And then pollution from our waste that we send off to these landfills can contaminate soil and water sources, which further impacts biodiversity and the health of the animals and the ecosystems that use the water.
In addition, there are also health risks to us. Exposure to human waste materials pose actual serious health risks to humans and animals alike. These toxic chemicals can leach into the soil and groundwater which can contaminate drinking water sources and lead to other health problems such as cancer, respiratory illnesses, reproductive disorders, air pollution, you name it.
Climate Change Contribution
Our waste contributes massively to climate change throughout the release of greenhouse gases during this non-decomposition that happens in landfills. Methane is a very potent greenhouse gas, and it’s produced when organic waste decomposes in an anaerobic condition such as a landfill.
Additionally, the energy intensive processes involved in waste management, such as incineration and the various transportation methods, emit carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases, which all lead to the warming of the planet and climate change.
And I think we’ve all kind of felt, on some level, climate change in the past year. I know across the United States we’ve had more natural disasters, our seasons are all effed up. Like, gardening is difficult. Our gardening zones, when we can plant things in our last frost dates, those have all changed. So, the climate is changing.
We just have to do our part to help the planet stay healthy.
There are also economic and social impacts of our waste that we produce, such as communities located near landfills or waste treatment facilities experiencing environmental injustice. Constantly being polluted with smells, residents may face higher rates of health problems or reduced quality of life. And there’s the economic impacts where businesses face more costs associated with waste disposal and compliance associated with the regulations around waste management.
Shopping Sustainably
Now that we know the impact of our waste, let’s talk about the power of conscious purchasing decisions. Conscious purchasing, or conscious consumerism, means being really mindful of the products that we buy, how we use them, and how they impact the environment as we use them, and as we dispose of them.
By choosing sustainable and ethical products, we can support companies that prioritize the wellbeing of both people and the planet. Sustainable products are those that are produced, packaged, distributed, and end up at the end of their life in such a way that it has a minimal environmental impact. And these products prioritize factors such as renewable resources, energy efficiency, and even waste reduction down the way.
Benefits of Making Conscious Decisions
But conscious purchasing isn’t just good for the environment, it’s also really good for us. When we buy fewer, higher quality items, we save money in the long run, and we reduce our overall environmental footprint.
So the next time you’re tempted by an impulse buy, pause and ask yourself: “Do I really need this?”
I think one of the most powerful things that I’ve ever heard of, especially with the rise of online marketplaces like Amazon with like one click pay, is you put an item in your cart and then you wait 24 hours to see if you still want it in 24 hours. And if you do want it and need it after 24 hours, then you’re like approved to buy it. Genius, right?
But when we order so many things that packages just arrive at our door on a daily basis. And we don’t even remember what’s in them, and it’s like a birthday present for ourself every day on the doorstep….it becomes a little bit consumeristic
Do we really need all of those things that we’re just having delivered and we didn’t even remember ordering or purchasing?
Making a Difference
By consciously selecting sustainable products, we can drive positive change throughout the supply chain. Sustainable companies are often pioneers in innovation, developing eco friendly alternatives to traditional products and manufacturing processes.
For example, they may use recycled materials, may invest heavily into renewable resources to produce their products, or biodegradable packaging to minimize their environmental footprint once it gets to your door.
But the power of purchasing sustainable products extends beyond environmental benefits. It also has the social and economic implications that we’ve talked about as well. Many sustainable brands prioritize fair labor practices, and this ensures that workers receive fair wages and have safe working conditions.
By supporting these companies that put power into believing in the environment and believing in social and economic justice, we contribute to the creation of an ethical supply chain and promote social justice for all of us.
Saving Money and Driving Change
Furthermore, investing in sustainable products and buying them for ourselves can save us money. With the upfront cost of sustainable products sometimes being a little bit higher, their durability and the longevity of the product often result in cost savings over time. By choosing these high quality, long lasting, durable products, we reduce the need for frequent replacements and ultimately save resources and our own money.
Another important aspect of purchasing sustainable products is the message that it sends to businesses and industries. We talk about this a lot. We are making change with our wallet. Companies need us to buy things from them in order to stay in business. If we stop buying things from them because they don’t meet our environmental needs or they’re, you know, not necessary, then companies get that message.
Each time that we opt for a sustainable alternative, we contribute to a more sustainable future for ourselves and all of the generations to come. So the next time you’re shopping, consider the impact of your purchase beyond its immediate use. Maybe think about how it’s going to be disposed of down the way, and choose products that reflect your commitment to sustainability.
Practical Strategies to Implement Conscious Purchasing
Now that we understand the importance of minimizing our waste, and making conscious purchasing decisions through informed choices, let’s explore some practical strategies for doing just that.
One of the most effective ways to reduce your waste is by adopting a zero waste lifestyle. This doesn’t mean creating zero waste (period), it means minimizing the amount of trash we produce, by avoiding those single use items and opting for reusable alternatives.
Additionally, we can reduce food waste by planning our meals, buying only what we need, buying what’s local and in season, and composting our organic waste. And when it comes to shopping, let’s prioritize quality over quantity. Even if it’s a little bit more money, it will last you decades longer.
We recently bought a rice cooker to replace one that was maybe 15 years old. And we wanted one that was going to last the rest of our life. So, I did months and months of research, I dove down all the Reddit channels. I found the one we wanted, and oh my god, it was three times more expensive than the plastic traditional rice makers that are everywhere you can buy them, right? Walmart, Amazon, , all of those places where you just would buy a rice maker or other kind of small appliance.
And I really wrestled with the fact that instead of spending $55 or $60, I was going to be spending like $180 (USD) for this rice maker. But I finally came to terms with it because this rice maker is completely made of stainless steel. It only has one button, so there’s not much to break or much tech that would need fixing in the future if there were a problem.
And because it’s stainless steel, and it came highly rated, I expect it to last us for the rest of our motherfrickin life. So we will never, ever have to buy another rice maker. And we make rice three times a week, at least. So we are probably already green because we probably already would have broken a cheaper plastic alternative.
Sprinkling in Zero-Waste Principles
I know we’ve really been talking about this lately, about how to get started and minimize your waste and be more sustainable. But that’s kind of what the channel’s all about, right? What are some practical tips that you can use to minimize your waste? There are a lot of things that you can do.
Our modern day lives are as far removed from earth friendly and sustainable as they possibly could be, really. And so, trying to be a 100 percent zero waste, or 100 percent sustainable, or only use eco-friendly things, it’s really hard in today’s world. So, you know my motto: pick one thing, research it, switch it out, love it, use it, and when you’re ready…one more thing, research it, and use it, and love it, and, and so on and so forth.
The EcoMindful Method
And gradually, all of those single changes that you’ve made and swapped out stack up over time. But what are some other things that we can do besides swapping out items? So we already are reducing our single use items; we’re avoiding our single use plastics and disposable products whenever we possibly can.
This is what you’re swapping out for. So you’re taking that single use disposable plastic water bottle that you buy or use five of each day, and you’re switching it out for a reusable water bottle that you can fill up anytime you want. These reusable alternatives can include water bottles, coffee cups, shopping bags, and food containers.
These small changes in reducing single use items can make such a difference in the trash that you create.
Other ways you can minimize your waste are through meal planning and food management. So making a list, buying only what you need, actually making that instead of choosing take out or something of the like.
With that, you eliminate additional food waste that you would produce.
And then if you do produce any food waste, set up a composting system for that organic waste, like fruits and vegetable scraps, your coffee grounds, eggshells, cardboard. Composting reduces the amount of waste you send to landfills and it produces a nutrient rich soil additive that you can use in your garden and landscaping.
You also want to make sure you’re looking for items with minimal packaging or repairing and upcycling items that you already have, instead of discarding them and sending them to a landfill.
And finally, choose quality over quantity. Invest in high quality durable products that are built to last. Don’t just automatically go for the cheap one because it fills your need right now, and “future you” will have to deal with it if it breaks. If you buy one now that’s going to last forever, then you won’t have to deal with it, and “future you” won’t even have to think about purchasing another one. It’s a win-win.
By making all of these decisions and wrapping them all into this neat little bow, you’re actually practicing mindful consumption. And before making a purchase, you end up asking yourself whether you truly need that item and what is its environmental impact. You’re avoiding impulse buying and bringing things into your home that you don’t need. You’re advocating for anti-consumerism by practicing more mindful purchases through informed decisions.
Overcoming Sustainability Challenges
By being more intentional about what we buy, we end up reducing our waste and we live more sustainably. Of course, transitioning to a more sustainable lifestyle isn’t always easy. We face challenges such as peer pressure, convenience, and the inertia of all of our old habits. We didn’t grow up in a sustainable world that thought of the planet first.
So we have to get rid of, basically everything we were taught and build these new ones. However, with determination and perseverance, we can overcome these obstacles and build sustainable habits that can last the rest of our lives and then be passed on to future generations.
Peer Pressure
One common challenge we face is peer pressure, as societal norms and cultural practices may not always align with our sustainable choices. Whether we’re resisting the urge and the temptation to buy the latest fashion trends or explaining our decision to bring our own reusable containers to a restaurant (which I still haven’t dedicatedly been able to do yet), staying true to your values in the face of societal pressure requires confidence and conviction in your actions.
Remember that your actions have the power to inspire others. And leading by example can spark meaningful conversations and positive change within your social circles.
Convenience
Convenience is another hurdle that we deal with on the path to sustainability, as it often seems easier to opt for disposable products because they’re more readily available. Or to take the quickest route rather than the most eco-friendly one.
However, with a little bit of planning, a little extra preparation, sustainable choices can become second nature to us. Set yourself up for success by making sustainable options more convenient in your life. Keep reusable items like shopping bags, water bottles, and utensils handy, always available on-the-go, and plan your meals and errands to minimize waste and maximize efficiency.
I know firsthand this is not always the easiest thing to do. When I’m running from airport to airport for work, when I travel, it’s really hard to remember to ask for no silverware. Or obviously bringing my own food and my own meals would be way more environmentally friendly than getting to-go food from an airport.
Old Habits Die…..Eventually
But sometimes you just can’t make those decisions. Old habits die hard, but they are not insurmountable. We’ve already overcome so much of what we grew up with that I’m 100 percent positive we can do this.
Transitioning to a more sustainable lifestyle does require patience and persistence. And a little bit of a thick skin, if I can say so.
Some people are going to laugh at you and tell you that you’re not making any kind of a difference. And you have to have a thick enough skin to know that you’re making a massive impact and they’re just NOTICING.
Start small by focusing on one product, one area at a time. Whether it’s reducing your single use plastics in your life, adding a compost bin to your kitchen containers for your kitchen scraps, or supporting ethical brands.
Just choose one of them. If you don’t want to give up everything in your life, maybe find a brand of leggings that supports more environmental friendly practices, or find a restaurant that you love instead of having to cook food at home, that always gives you the to go containers in compostable, paper or cardboard based things.
We don’t have to be everything, everywhere. We don’t have to be one with the earth. We can try, but we still have to live our lives, and that requires some level of non-eco-friendliness. But we can advocate through our purchasing decisions for more sustainable products to be created so that we are less detrimental on our planet.
Building a support network can also help you stay on track and navigate challenges along the way. Make sure you connect with like minded individuals through online communities, local environmental groups, or sustainability events. Share your experiences, seek advice, and learn from others who are on a similar journey.
Final Thoughts on Conscious Purchasing Decisions
That’s what we’re trying to do here. Together we can amplify our impact and create a supportive ecosystem for sustainable living. Remember, transitioning to a more sustainable lifestyle is not about perfection, it’s about progress. One change, one decision, one purchase at a time. Embrace the journey, embrace the challenges, and embrace the opportunity you have to make a positive difference in the world.
By staying committed to reducing your waste, making more conscious purchasing decisions, and leaving the world a better place than you found it for future generations, we are all creating a brighter future. And that brings us to the end of today’s episode. We’ve explored the importance of minimizing our waste, making conscious purchasing decisions that are informed, and taking action in order to live more sustainably.
I hope you feel inspired to incorporate some of these principles into your daily life. And join us in the fight against waste and pollution. Don’t forget to subscribe to the Naked Sustainability Podcast for more tips, tricks, and insights on living a greener lifestyle in the most authentic way possible.
Thanks for listening. If you’ve enjoyed this episode and found it helpful, please share it with a friend. Feel free to reach out at NakedSustainability.com at the link in the show notes. Don’t forget to subscribe, leave a review, and join us next week as we explore more badass ways to care for the planet while living this insanely busy millennial life.
Until next time, friends.
