Studio 42 Workspaces   •   February 21, 2020

The conversation about climate change, plastic waste and environmental impact has become much louder in recent years, and it’s a good thing it has happened. As much as we’re all calling out organisations to improve their practices and move to eco-friendly options, it’s just as important that we all take individual responsibility for our environmental footprint.

So, we’ve compiled a list of eight things you can do to live a more sustainable, eco-friendly lifestyle in 2020. These are things that may seem simple or small, but over a lifetime will add up tremendously!

1. Stainless Steel Everything

It’s never been easier to replace your everyday items with stainless steel (durable + recyclable) options. Everything from straws, water bottles all the way through to your Tupperware can be swapped out for the stainless steel alternative.

2. Biodegradable Rubbish Bags

If you’re passionate about reducing household plastic the next place to look after your cupboards and lunchboxes is your bin. Yep, in 2020 you’ll be able to find a plethora of compostable and biodegradable rubbish bag options to suit your needs. You can even pick up some biodegradable doggy waste bags to take with you when you walk your beloved pets. Every small eco-friendly action adds up!

3. Meal Prep / Eat At Home

While it can be tempting to order from UberEats and Deliveroo, being conscious about how often you are eating out can have a large impact on your individual environmental footprint. Think about it – everytime you go to a fast food restaurant you end up with plastic straws, plastic cups, and often a set of plastic cutlery that you use for 15 minutes max.

This isn’t to say that you should force yourself to live a life completely free from the delights of fast food, but it would make a difference if you meal prepped most of your meals during the week to avoid relying on single-use plastic.

4. Sustainable Fashion Choices

Often times when the conversation of sustainable fashion arises, there are three common reactions:

• “Sustainable clothing brands are expensive, I don’t want to pay a premium just to be eco-friendly!”
• “There isn’t any sustainable clothing brands in my size range” (Yep, this is a very real issue with small-run indie brands)
• “I can never find sustainable clothing brand options that suit my sense of style”

Even though there are some warranted arguments against sustainable clothing brands, the niche as a whole is slowly becoming more diverse and more accessible over time. You can use a range of apps like to become a more informed fashion consumer – most apps can be used to search the brands you usually shop to find out their score for sustainability and ethics. It’s fascinating stuff.

Another way you could approach the idea of a more sustainable wardrobe is simply by investing in clothing made of natural fibres that you are 100% in love with and can wear for years to come. Taking this a step further, once those items start to get a bit of wear and tear invest in getting them repaired by expert seamstresses to lengthen the lifespan of your clothes.

5. Take Public Transport When Possible

We all love the comfort and serenity of being in our own vehicles (not to mention having the option to blast your music loud and proud), but taking public transport from time to time is great for the environment. Where possible, choose to commute using an available bus route, train or ferry service.

6. Beeswax Wraps

You’ve probably spotted Beeswax wraps in store and online but aren’t quite sure if you’re ready to take the leap. Did you know that the common household plastic wrap we use for our sandwiches can actually release a highly toxic chemical when it ends up landfills and incinerators?

Beeswax wraps on the other hand are reusable, environmentally friendly and as you’ll be happy to know, are much easier to dispose of. These wraps are usually made from a mixture of beeswax, jojoba oil and tree resin that are then applied to thin strips of cotton. If you don’t want to go out to the shops to buy pre-made Beeswax wraps you can make your own at home!

7. Make Your Own Cleaning Products

There are plenty of cleaning product recipes online and on Pinterest that you can follow to create your own eco-friendly alternatives. This will not only help reduce the plastic waste associated with buying multiple different types of cleaners, but it will help you to reduce the number of chemicals you and your family are exposed to in everyday life.

8. Choose Recycled Toilet Paper

It’s the one thing we all use, regardless of individual circumstances. Toilet paper is… well… an essential for sanitary purposes, but how can we reduce the environmental impact? Every time you buy toilet paper at the grocery store you’ll find it wrapped up in single-use plastic. Over a lifetime, that plastic waste adds up.

Consider using recycled toilet paper that is packaged in recyclable paper rather than plastic. Not sure where to look? Check out Who Gives a Crap – they’re a cheeky and fun brand who’ll brighten up your day while helping you to live a more sustainable lifestyle.

You Got This!

The more small tweaks you can make to your lifestyle, the more of an impact you’ll have on the world around you. Give a couple of these a try and see what difference it makes in your life, we’re sure you won’t want to turn back once you’ve made the switch.

About the Author

Mackayla Paul embodies the Instagram generation; tech-savvy, vivacious and a little bit of an over-sharer. An acclaimed Content Marketing Specialist, Mackayla has spoken at Mashable’s Social Media Day, authored articles for Spa+Clinic Magazine and Social Media Examiner, as well as been a finalist two years running in the Social Media Marketing Awards.