Whether you’re paying household bills, shopping at the mall, or enjoying a night out on the town, there are a number of ways in which we spend money.

We’d like to think that how we spend money, and what we spend money on, has no impact on the environment. But 60 to 70 percent of environmental impact comes from our own consumption habits. That small act of purchasing dinner, a new outfit, and even a few knick-knacks has a big effect on the environment. Luckily, there are ways in which we can extract ourselves from consumer culture and live more ethical and conscious lives.

Recycle

Recycling is a great habit if you want to reduce the impact your actions have on the environment. In 2017, National Geographic reported that a shocking 91% of plastic isn’t recycled, which accounts for billions of tons of plastic. The plastic is put into landfills that contaminate our water and soil. Reduce landfill waste by recycling products. If you aren’t sure what can be recycled, make sure to do your research!

Upcycle

If you own a few items that you’re not sure what to do with, try your hand at upcycling!

Upcycling, which is often considered “creative reusing,” is a method for repurposing unwanted materials and making them into something new. If you have old mason jars lying around, DIY them into lanterns! Transform a few paint cans into decorative flower pots! There are a variety of different ways to upcycle, so let your imagination run wild – all while being a more ethical and conscious consumer!

If you’re looking to become a more ethical and conscious consumer, look for products that are organic and cruelty-free.

Opt for All-Natural Products

You likely use a range of self-care products throughout your daily routine. If you’re looking to become a more ethical and conscious consumer, look for products that are organic and cruelty-free.

A variety of clean, non-toxic beauty products are designed to help you look and feel your very best, in addition to being great for the environment! Whatever products you decide to swap, know that you’re making a huge difference in choosing the more sustainable route!

Buy and Sell Secondhand

Unfortunately, textile waste is one of the leading contributors to the planet’s pollution. The creation of clothes takes a toll on the environment. In fact, the production of a single cotton T-shirt requires about 257 gallons of water.

If you’re looking to upgrade your wardrobe, there are ways to do so while remaining eco-friendly. Thrifting is a popular and sustainable way to find affordable clothing. Get that much-needed retail therapy by shopping at your local consignment store or by browsing different online stores. thredUP makes it even easier to track down those hard-to-find items, like popular Lularoe pieces.

Choose to Reuse

Make an effort to minimize the waste you produce by choosing reusable, long-lasting items instead of disposable ones. There are a variety of reusable swaps you can make every day!

Rather than purchasing a coffee to-go in a plastic or cardboard cup, bring along your reusable coffee cup or mug. When making your weekly run to the grocery store, swap out disposable plastic bags for reusable canvas bags. Reusable food containers, stainless steel and silicone straws, microfiber cleaning cloths, and reusable water bottles are just a few other products you can utilize instead of disposable items.

By choosing to reuse, you’re helping to conserve resources and prevent these otherwise expendable items from ending up in landfills.

Lead a more eco-friendly lifestyle by making a habit of recycling, choosing all-natural beauty products, shopping secondhand, and opting for reusable items. What other things do you do to be a more ethical and conscious consumer? Let us know below!