#conciousconsumer

Metal/Steel/Glass Straws!!!- As everyone knows, straws impact the environment in a very negative way, so why not make the change? Plus, they’re fairly cheap! 

Cloth Produce Bags- Why take one plastic bag just to wrap up a few veggies or fruits? Cloth Produce Bags are a one time investment, and are way more convenient than grabbing the plastic bag! 

Re-Usable Grocery Bags- These are not the cheapest things in the world, but you can get a pack of three off of Amazon.com for around $30, and again, it’s a one time investment, and one that is way more convenient than making the people at check-out put everything in multiple plastic bags.

Reusable “Ziplock” Bags- Perfect for freezing fruit in the freezer, putting certain things in the fridge, taking snacks to school, and for storing your other perishable items! Another plus to these- They’re cheap as hell most of the time!

Metal or Steel Water Bottles- Pretty much everyone has these in their cabinets. There is no reason for all the plastic bottle that are being thrown away everyday, when the Reusable Water Bottles will keep your drink cold/hot for hours at a time, where as plastic will keep your drink cold for a good 1-2 hours? Cut down on all the plastic making it’s way out into the landfills! 

BUYING THINGS IN BULK!!!- This has to be a favorite within the zero-waste community! When you buy things, such as almond butter, pasta sauce, or anything in a glass jar..keep the jar!! You can bring your jars to most health foods stores or most any grocery stores in general and you can buy your items in bulk! None of all that extra waste! Just what you plan on using!

Bento Boxes/ Non-Plastic Lunch Box- These are a one time investment also! There is absolutely no reason that you should be eating out of PLASTIC containers that you will eventually throw away, these are so much more easier to clean than plastic is, and it is much better for the environment.

Portable Silver Ware!- There is not a lot to say about this one. Ditch the plastic forks and spoons, instead, take these! 

I have to bring up fast fashion. No judgement whatsoever to anyone who buys fast fashion we shouldn’t have to be THIS conscious of things shoved down our throats! But we need to-most clothes are unsustainably sourced and unethically made. Clothes take resources, time and PEOPLE/effort to make yet most mindsets are (and I don’t blame us) “I want to buy the cheapest and trendiest/cutest things” and to make this happen/compete, companies outsource from places where horrific labor is practiced and legal or unmonitored. To us the clothing is devalued but it’s at the expense of others’ lives and the environment, which isn’t cheap at all.

💚ADVICE🗝

Easiest: wear what you got and when you buy (even if it’s fast fashion) purchase items you love and will wear at least 30 times. Cherish and value your clothes they are gifts from the earth and made by several people so give them respect!

♻️Another affordable thing is recycling! Exchange clothes with friends!

Thrifting is GREAT and fun-You can even repurpose fabric and innovate-but if you get overwhelmed, as I do at times, there are plenty of online resale sites/apps for ex vinted, depop, IG shops- plenty of people are doing Black Friday and cyber Monday sales all weekend 🥰It gives clothes a second life;cuts down waste and the money is usually going to a person not big companies/monopolies.

Buy from designers/artists you know! There are also sustainable and ethical brands but you have to remember they’re sourcing sustainably and paying workers living wage so it’s more expensive (quality is priceless). YOUR DOLLARS ARE VOTES they’re fuel. I am blessed with some extent of financial freedom so extra dollars or restriction is totally worth not funding awful treatment of humans and the earth. Again no judgement, loves, I just wanted to give you the reality and advice :) thank you sm💜 pls share

You will be healthier and happier! I know from personal experience, i was in a rut while i was just vegetarian. After my first day eating completely vegan, i noticed that i want as depressed as usual, i felt a lot more wholesome than i usually had. After a few doctor’s visits, my doctors have also agreed that a vegan diet is the best fit for me, my blood sugar has went down, i’m no longer at a risk of diabetes, and i am now barely over weight, where as before, i was almost considered obese. Vegan was the best option for me to be my happiest and healthiest self.

A vegan diet is richer in certain nutrients! When you become vegan, most of the replacements for any dairy and meat products comes in the form of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, beans, peas, nuts, and seeds, which means that you will be able to get more fiber, antioxidants, and plant compounds, as well as magnesium, potassium, folate, and vitamins A, C, and E.

On top of all of the health reasons, as listed above, you will be making this earth a better place. You will be saving a cow, a pig, a lamb, a chicken, a goat, amongst others, daily. So many animals suffer daily, it just isn’t worth it. On top of that, the farming industry is one of the top reasons for pollution on this earth, so the environment will definitely thank you also :)

The suffering caused by the dairy and egg industry is possibly less well publicised than the plight of factory farmed animals. The production of dairy products necessitates the death of countless male calves that are of no use to the dairy farmer, as well as the premature death of cows slaughtered when their milk production decreases. Similarly, in the egg industry, even 'ethical' or 'free range' eggs involve the killing of the 'unnecessary' male chicks when just a day old.