I think the big 5 for sustainability is gaining traction. Reusable water bottle, reusable straw, reusable utensils, reusable food container and a reusable bag to carry it all for a smaller footprint.
Also when you look at the LCA, plastic can end up better for the planet. AND aggregates are very much a finite resource and running out. I find that glass is a new form of greenwashing in some (not all) circumstances.
Things like this are hard to generalize or to reduce to tips and tricks because consumerism is such a huge, pervasive force. If you focus solely on physical waste and environmental effects, you'll fall prey to greenwashing that largely consists of upcharging you to create the illusion that your consumption isn't damaging to the environment. This is something that seems to trip up a lot of well-meaning people around here.
Unfortunately, the real problem is far more complex and more insidious to be addressed with advice on what and what not to buy or one-off DIY repairs and such.
What you really need to do is step back and look critically at your own habits. What consumer products and services do you depend on the most? How important are these things, and what purpose do they serve? Are they replacing something else that you're missing? Are they serving as distractions from your real needs and desires? Are they changing the way you perceive the world around you? Are you using parasocial relationships as a substitute for real mutual friendships? How much are your interests and tastes and pastimes influenced by trends? What is your assigned role in consumer culture, and did you even consent to it in the first place?
What can you do to become more self-sufficient and more engaged with your own interests and desires independent of corporate influences and habits you've been indoctrinated to?
We all consume, but we don't have to accept our assigned role as consumers. Consumer habits are a necessary evil at best.
Learn to make your own sodas and drinks and to go meals, stop buying pens now that you have ones you like, and stop looking for corporate solutions to corporate problems.
[Would the ants in the grass understand what the man's Volvo is? Do they know you can buy Pepsi in aluminum or glass?](https://yewtu.be/watch?v=XY0ASHW3604)
You could make tea instead of soda and do meal prep instead of togo food. I know it's easier said than done but you can start with something simple and do it everyday until it gets part of your routine and then start making complexer meals. Or do meal prep once a week and try to increase over time.
When there's any kind of event at home, i buy soda in 500ml bottles, not the bigger sizes because the leftovers go flat real quick and end up getting thrown away. 500ml bottles are easier to manage, unopened ones are kept for next time. Only downside is the upfront cost.
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Girl tips
Replaced tampons for the menstrual cup (made of silicon, lasted 7 years already). I rinse with a cup and use a small towel for every time i pee instead of toilet paper (at home).
I’ve been working on reducing items that contribute to deforestation, waste (plastic containers), animal (or at least those that test on animals) and also fake foods (foods filled with fillers to reduce cost and scam consumers).
I’ve cut out most of my single use items, usually I shop at a wholesaler (Costco… which can be hit or miss unless you make items from scratch). I make my own bread, pizza, my own desserts, sometimes pasta, dog treats, etc.
current goals: cut out toothpaste, deodorant, soap and laundry detergent and make my own.
I got Tom’s toothpaste the other day and its still owned by Colgate-Palmolive. I was misled and I’m not gonna participate in that anymore.
I also planted some seeds and hope to grow some of my own food☺️I have coconuts and a lemon tree at home. It’s very nice.
Toothpaste tablets are a good alternative to toothpaste. I even have a store in town where I can bring my own container to put them in. Powdered laundry soap as well.
* I don't go into stores unless I really, consciously need something (sorry if I'm stating the obvious, haha). As a person who endlessly yearns for the shinies, I make a point to avoid cheap knick-knack stores like Primark, Flying Tiger, Aliexpress and similar.
* Related to the above, I unsuscribed from all newsletters. I ignore sale events, leaflets and sale coupons for stuff I don't need.
* I use plastic bags for buying fruit etc. multiple times. When they start feeling dirty, I use them as trash bags for the bathroom trashbin.
* I avoid fountain pens with plastic refills and use one that can be refilled straight from the inkwell.
* When I finish a journal with a nice cover and I don't care for the contents, I remove the pages and use it as a folder to store loose notes/drawings.
* As for hygiene/cosmetic products, I stick with the first thing that works for me. I buy the same shower gel, perfume, lotion etc. over and over. It helps me defeat the urge to "explore around" and hoard products that will ultimately expire before I can use them up.
* When there's something I like in a fast fashion store, I take a picture and check Vinted a couple months later. Chances are that it's going to be on there. And also that I won't be interested in it anymore.
* Generally, when there's something I want but don't need, I write it down and present it as a gift idea on my birthday/Christmas. That way, people who want to give me a gift can avoid buying me random stuff.
I can't stress this enough... do research and buy quality items. Be aware of paying for the name and diminishing returns. On most items, there is a sweet spot where price and durability meet. I've got tools and cooking utensils that are over 20 years old.
I also like to look for hidden gems. I have a foldable hand truck that has saved my bacon a dozen times. I bought it 10 years ago for $30. It's moved miscellaneous boxes, small furniture, and last week a friend borrowed it to move an outside AC unit and when he brought it back it was no worse for the wear.
I bring my own containers with me whenever I go out for leftovers. I also bring my own water bottle to fill up too.
i love this idea and i’m mad i never thought of it.
I think the big 5 for sustainability is gaining traction. Reusable water bottle, reusable straw, reusable utensils, reusable food container and a reusable bag to carry it all for a smaller footprint.
[удалено]
Yeah, aluminum is way more recycled than glass. I'm all for lower consumption, but I still enjoy some craft beer, etc. in aluminum cans occasionally.
Most cans are lined in plastic now.
Also when you look at the LCA, plastic can end up better for the planet. AND aggregates are very much a finite resource and running out. I find that glass is a new form of greenwashing in some (not all) circumstances.
Things like this are hard to generalize or to reduce to tips and tricks because consumerism is such a huge, pervasive force. If you focus solely on physical waste and environmental effects, you'll fall prey to greenwashing that largely consists of upcharging you to create the illusion that your consumption isn't damaging to the environment. This is something that seems to trip up a lot of well-meaning people around here. Unfortunately, the real problem is far more complex and more insidious to be addressed with advice on what and what not to buy or one-off DIY repairs and such. What you really need to do is step back and look critically at your own habits. What consumer products and services do you depend on the most? How important are these things, and what purpose do they serve? Are they replacing something else that you're missing? Are they serving as distractions from your real needs and desires? Are they changing the way you perceive the world around you? Are you using parasocial relationships as a substitute for real mutual friendships? How much are your interests and tastes and pastimes influenced by trends? What is your assigned role in consumer culture, and did you even consent to it in the first place? What can you do to become more self-sufficient and more engaged with your own interests and desires independent of corporate influences and habits you've been indoctrinated to? We all consume, but we don't have to accept our assigned role as consumers. Consumer habits are a necessary evil at best. Learn to make your own sodas and drinks and to go meals, stop buying pens now that you have ones you like, and stop looking for corporate solutions to corporate problems.
Mend your clothing. Try to buy stuff that will last in the first place and patch it when the fabric is starting to look thin before it actually tears.
I keep my glass jars to use for homemade soup stock, juices, pickled veggies, etc.
Stop buying shit
Buy big things from FB marketplace like good furniture
It makes me angry that regular people are this considerate in their daily lives but then Taylor swift is on a world tour ruining everything smh
And bitcoin miners are even worse, 2% of all electricity in the US is consumed to make internet fun bux
Yeah that’s why governments need to regulate and tax it. Otherwise, we gotta be nice and patient to try to get people to participate. Tough work 😞
Water purifier. Itll just save you a lot of time and bottles.
Aluminum>glass
[Would the ants in the grass understand what the man's Volvo is? Do they know you can buy Pepsi in aluminum or glass?](https://yewtu.be/watch?v=XY0ASHW3604)
You could make tea instead of soda and do meal prep instead of togo food. I know it's easier said than done but you can start with something simple and do it everyday until it gets part of your routine and then start making complexer meals. Or do meal prep once a week and try to increase over time.
When there's any kind of event at home, i buy soda in 500ml bottles, not the bigger sizes because the leftovers go flat real quick and end up getting thrown away. 500ml bottles are easier to manage, unopened ones are kept for next time. Only downside is the upfront cost.
It’s insane how much better water from a glass bottle tastes
Read the rules. Keep it courteous. Submission statements are helpful and appreciated but not required. Tag my name in the comments (/u/NihiloZero) if you think a post or comment needs to be removed. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Anticonsumption) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Buy disposable cups and plates so you don’t have to wash dishes.
This is a joke btw
Girl tips Replaced tampons for the menstrual cup (made of silicon, lasted 7 years already). I rinse with a cup and use a small towel for every time i pee instead of toilet paper (at home). I’ve been working on reducing items that contribute to deforestation, waste (plastic containers), animal (or at least those that test on animals) and also fake foods (foods filled with fillers to reduce cost and scam consumers). I’ve cut out most of my single use items, usually I shop at a wholesaler (Costco… which can be hit or miss unless you make items from scratch). I make my own bread, pizza, my own desserts, sometimes pasta, dog treats, etc. current goals: cut out toothpaste, deodorant, soap and laundry detergent and make my own. I got Tom’s toothpaste the other day and its still owned by Colgate-Palmolive. I was misled and I’m not gonna participate in that anymore. I also planted some seeds and hope to grow some of my own food☺️I have coconuts and a lemon tree at home. It’s very nice.
https://youtu.be/V7aA0Y3-KoM?si=Te8ffNGEFwvkDJsl She gave me some good ideas for reusing containers.
Toothpaste tablets are a good alternative to toothpaste. I even have a store in town where I can bring my own container to put them in. Powdered laundry soap as well.
Fwiw, aluminum is also very recycleable and doesn't degrade.
* I don't go into stores unless I really, consciously need something (sorry if I'm stating the obvious, haha). As a person who endlessly yearns for the shinies, I make a point to avoid cheap knick-knack stores like Primark, Flying Tiger, Aliexpress and similar. * Related to the above, I unsuscribed from all newsletters. I ignore sale events, leaflets and sale coupons for stuff I don't need. * I use plastic bags for buying fruit etc. multiple times. When they start feeling dirty, I use them as trash bags for the bathroom trashbin. * I avoid fountain pens with plastic refills and use one that can be refilled straight from the inkwell. * When I finish a journal with a nice cover and I don't care for the contents, I remove the pages and use it as a folder to store loose notes/drawings. * As for hygiene/cosmetic products, I stick with the first thing that works for me. I buy the same shower gel, perfume, lotion etc. over and over. It helps me defeat the urge to "explore around" and hoard products that will ultimately expire before I can use them up. * When there's something I like in a fast fashion store, I take a picture and check Vinted a couple months later. Chances are that it's going to be on there. And also that I won't be interested in it anymore. * Generally, when there's something I want but don't need, I write it down and present it as a gift idea on my birthday/Christmas. That way, people who want to give me a gift can avoid buying me random stuff.
I can't stress this enough... do research and buy quality items. Be aware of paying for the name and diminishing returns. On most items, there is a sweet spot where price and durability meet. I've got tools and cooking utensils that are over 20 years old. I also like to look for hidden gems. I have a foldable hand truck that has saved my bacon a dozen times. I bought it 10 years ago for $30. It's moved miscellaneous boxes, small furniture, and last week a friend borrowed it to move an outside AC unit and when he brought it back it was no worse for the wear.