Picture this: You’re at a party. Things are going well. You’re looking good, you’re feeling good, and the conversation is fun. And then someone talks about going green, and all your good buzz fizzles out in a nanosecond. It’s not that you don’t care about the environment… But you have a job, and a budget, and some much needed sleeping in and Netflix-ing to do in the weekends. How would you even start?
Well, you’re not alone in your frustrations, and we’ve got some suggestions that shouldn’t take much effort. No deep pockets needed, no vast amounts of free time to go on crafting sprees, and no mentions of DIY-ing yourself a new solar panel or something.
First step: Go Jhola Crazy!
We know… you already got a cloth bag when you heard about the plastic bag. But we’re willing to bet that the last time you went grocery shopping, you forgot it. And the time before that, and the time before that, and… So don’t just buy a jhola. Buy about ten of them! Keep them everywhere, very visibly, so you can’t miss them.
Have a nice cloth bag next to the door for when you go grocery shopping, put a post it on your door to remind you to take it, keep a spare one in your car or your bike toolbox in case you still forget, have a collapsible bag on your keychain (if something like this and perhaps set a reminder along with your reminder to get groceries. Basically, when it comes to jholas – GO EXTREME, people.
Drink up, peeps!
It’s 2018, and with temperatures rising, the ozone depleting, and all manner of disaster movies the earth could turn into…. Who wouldn’t want a drink?
And one of the ways to make your little contribution is by changing how you drink. Just cut out the plastic glasses, and the plastic bottles, and the plastic straws… Same drink, slightly different containers. Just replace all your plastic drinks paraphernalia with more sustainable and long lasting products like <stainless steel bottles> and <steel straws>. It’s not going to cost you much, they’ll last forever, and you’ll have a clearer conscience.
And even if you decide buying straws is beyond your level of commitment, just don’t use them! When you’re at a bar or restaurant, tell them not to serve your drinks with a straw… What’s the worst that can happen without a straw? Literally nothing!
Clean Green
We wouldn’t dream of asking you to not take your daily baths. God knows we need it in India. However, you can reduce the number of products and amount of water you use every time you clean up. Shorter showers are of course in order, but you can also cut down with a simple switch to cleaning and self care products that don’t release harmful chemicals into the water system.
This includes everything from organic and biodegradable dishwashers and kitchen sponges, to face-scrubs, shampoos, and more. Check out all your options
Delivery time!
If you’re living in the 21st century, the sound of a doorbell has basically become the sound of an online delivery, finally making its way home. We order in for everything – from groceries, to meals, to clothes and furnishings. And with all that delivery, comes the inevitable hoard of plastic containers.
Maybe it’s time to question how much we need to order in – especially when it comes to food. We’re not financial experts, but experts say that a 200 buck delivered meal can be way more expensive than a regular home cooked meal. So let’s cut back on the plastics and packaging items and thermocol we regularly get delivered to our homes. And when you can’t – reuse, reuse, recycle, recycle. So your containers should become planters, your boxes should be storage, and your plastic bags should become garbage bags. And when you can’t even do that, you can rely on…
Kabaadi Kabaadi Kabaadi…
Crafting time! Just kidding. We get it. You’ve got things to do. Bosses to please, calls to avoid, late nights to spend in the office… ain’t nobody got time for crafting after college. Instead, why not use an old staple of the Indian jugaad gig economy – call up your local kabaadiwala. Getting twenty bucks for a month’s worth of carboard boxes, plastic containers, and milk cartons won’t be a fortune. But it literally will cost you nothing, you’d be contributing to your friendly neighborhood kabaadi guy’s income, and also, doing something good for the environment.
Get all minty fresh and green
Your toothbrush is not what you think it is. Well, yes, it is a very useful brush with a handle that helps you keep your friends close, and your partners closer. But it is also one of the major products that fill up landfills around the world. Whether you like it or not… your fresh breath comes at a cost to the environment.
The good news is, there is a far more eco-friendly option available – yes even in India, and no we’re not talking about the Neem twig. Bioplastic toothbrushes can be found if you look for it, and <Bamboo Toothbrushes> are becoming all the rage of late. And if you want to go further in the rabbit hole, you can even invest in some toothpaste tablets for when you’re travelling.
No matter what you can’t live without and what you’re willing to give up, we’re betting there’s always something you can do to try and start on a slightly more eco-friendly life. And with some (or all) of these tips, you can maybe play a part on preventing that disaster movie apocalypse we mentioned earlier.
So what’s your role in the blockbuster disaster movie that we’re trying to avoid? Maybe start with a jhola or a toothbrush and we can see where it leads us!
