13 ways to save money and be more environmental
Environmentalism and frugality often go hand in hand. Although the two can be mutually exclusive it’s absolutely possible to save money while being more environmental.
I remember being a kid and learning about the 3R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. However, as an adult, I find that society really neglects to focus on the two first R’s which in fact can create the most impact towards zero waste.
In a way, recycling should be the last resort, especially since [79% of plastic waste ends up in landfills or as litter, and only 9% gets recycled]. sadface
How to save money and be more environmental
The two main ways to save money and be more environmental is to reduce the amount you consume and reuse items when you can. If neither of those are an option, when making a purchase, it’s often a good idea to think about the quality and how much use you will get out of it in order to decide if it’s worth the purchase. For example, reusable water bottles can cost quite a bit of money, but if you purchase one that you plan to use for years to come, the initial investment is worth the money as it is a net-positive environmental impact.
I remember being a kid and learning about the 3R’s: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. However, as an adult, I find that society really neglects to focus on the two first R’s which in fact can create the most impact towards zero waste.
So let’s dive into the different ways you can save money and be more environmental:
1. Buy second hand
It’s great to see that over the past few years second hand clothes have really had a resurgence in today’s culture. With the likes of Nasty Gal, and other retailers, second hand is more of a fashion statement than an environmental move.
However, if being a fashionista isn’t your thing (it’s not for me, as I am the least fashionable person I know), second hand shopping can be quite cheap and practical. Finding a new home for a previously loved item is a great way to extend it’s life.
For me, having a kid has been a great excuse to buy second hand. Crib, change table, and high chair have all been previously loved, making it cheaper to buy and reducing the environmental impact on the world. With marketplaces such as Facebook, Ebay, Craigslist, and Gumtree, it’s so easy to find what you need.
2. Reuse items instead of recycling them or throwing them away
Finding a second use for an item is a great way to reuse objects that would have otherwise ended up in the landfill. Need a glass container? Use an old jam jar. Wrapping paper? Use newspaper. Ground coffee? Use as fertilizer. The list goes on.
The other day I wanted to replant my monstera that outgrew it’s pot. So, instead of purchasing a new larger pot, I ended up using a protein powder container which I poked holes through the bottom and repurposed it as a new pot. This is where creativity can be really fun in finding new uses for items.
3. Buy in bulk
Buying in bulk can often be cheaper and more environmental which is a win/win situation. Most bulk stores carry everything from grains and flour to soap and tea. All of these items can easily be purchased in either your own container or a paper bag.
Although my place is tiny, and doesn’t have a lot of room to store excess items, I love that I can determine how much I want to purchase when buying from bulk stores.
Plus, there’s something rewarding about filling my glass containers and labeling. Okay, maybe I’m just a nerd about these things.
4. Cook from scratch
When talking about the environment, what you eat matters more than how it’s cooked. However, making food at home allows you to source sustainable ingredients, use fresh produce, and buy less take away, all which are better for the environment.
Plus, there are a plethora of cheap meals that can be both tasty and easy to make, making the impact on your wallet and the environment minimal.
5. Use a diva cup or period panties
For those of us who bleed monthly, it’s no surprise how much waste from tampons and pads end up in landfills. Although diva cups and period panties have an upfront charge, they are both items that you can use for months and years to come. They keep waste low and when you run the numbers are quite financially economical.
6. Get a library card
Not only are libraries awesome spaces to get inspired while browsing books, they are also absolutely free. As someone who doesn’t like clutter and prefers to have as little books as possible taking up shelf space, libraries are my best friend. Most libraries also lend out audio and digital books that you can read on your kindle which makes it even easier to access.
For those with kids, check out if your neighbourhood has a toy library where you can borrow toys for a few weeks instead of buying new ones for your kid. They are pretty awesome as well.
7. Turn off your electronics, heat, and aircon
Electricity not only uses up a lot of energy but also costs a lot of money. By turning off your electronics when not using them you can save yourself a bucket of money plus it’s better for the environment.
Although I can not function in the heat (as a Canadian I need aircon on hot Australian nights), I don’t mind cold winters and personally love bundling up in sweaters and slippers with a hot tea.
8. Take shorter (cold) showers
Water is such a finite resource. So much of the world doesn’t even have access to clean drinking water. By taking shorter showers you are reducing your carbon footprint and saving money.
If you want to be hardcore, try taking cold showers. While reducing your gas bill you are most likely increasing your immune system at the same time. Don’t believe me? Check out this research. Want to know the best technique to conquer cold showers. Check out Wim Hof.
9. Walk or cycle to work
Don’t have time for the gym? Then making your commute a physical one is a great way to stay fit, save money, and be more environmental. Walking and cycling is a great way to get your heart rate up, stay healthy and ease into (and out of) the working day.
If you live too far to do either, public transport or carpooling reduces the cost of fuel while making your commute a bit more environmental than if you were driving solo.
10. Eat less meat
The meat industry accounts for 15% of all greenhouse gasses, which is one of the leading causes of climate change. Meat production also uses a lot of resources. For example, to produce 1kg of steak, a cow needs to eat 25L of grain and uses 15,000L of water. Esh! That’s a lot of resources.
If you want to be more environmental, curbing your meat intake is a good step to take. By swapping out the chicken wings for black beans, not only are you doing your wallet a favour but the environment as well.
11. Travel less by plane
I must admit, this is something I often struggle with. I love to travel and adventure, but am aware how not environmental flying is.
Aviation emits about 860 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. That’s 2% of total global greenhouse gas emissions. If you are a regular traveler, chances are flying is your biggest source of greenhouse gas emission.
One of the ways I’ve attempted to reduce my own carbon footprint is by adventuring locally. Sometimes that’s a local walk or hike. Other times it’s a weekend camping trip, in attempt to enjoy traveling locally
I try to save flights for necessary travel like seeing family who live abroad and a holiday here or there.
12. Don’t have kids
This has been an ongoing debate between my partner and I regarding having a kid. We know the environmental impact is huge, and we couldn’t help but discuss whether it’s actually ethical to have a kid during a climate crisis.
Well, we decided to have one. The irony isn’t lost on me that it’s included on the list. None the less, I realize how harmful humans are to the environment, which is why I am trying to move towards zero waste in an attempt to still be ethical about my environmental choices.
Anyways, it’s still worth noting that humans are the biggest cause of climate change, and well, kids aren’t cheap, so it needed to be on the list.
13. Invest ethically
Okay, so maybe this one isn’t really about saving money, but more about being conscious about how you invest your money.
Now, more than ever, it’s fairly easy to take part in socially responsible investing. By deciding where you want your money to go, you can make an impact in what companies you support based on your own values.
Don’t want to support the fossil fuel industry? Not into investing in weapons? What about tobacco and alcohol? Well, you can choose to not invest in those industries and align your values (whether they are environmental or otherwise) with your investments.