Why the Fabric Bags? Tips for living in a more earth-friendly way.

We live in a world of convenience. We use paper plates and plastic bags because it takes less planning on our part. We use only public trash cans because it’s too much work to sort out our recycling. Many don’t even have a place to sort recycling in their home. They have the pickup service but because it takes too much effort to walk outside to the recycling bin, those good ol’ recycleables are left in the trash pile.

I know because I have been guilty of this. I just didn’t care or see why any of it was important. I saw recycling as that unecessary thing my Dad pestered me about. I didn’t think twice about using paper plates because it was so much easier than having a sink full of dishes.

I didn’t even think about using my own bags until I made it to France. They didn’t even have plastic bags available at the store. It was second nature to everyone to bring their own bag with them. (Not to mention that everyone brought said bags on foot or by bike… so rarely even driving their car!)

I loved the thought, but at 16 wasn’t doing much of my own shopping and didn’t care enough to start the trend with my parents. Four years later serving a mission in Canada, I saw it again. For the 18 months I lived in Quebec, I was trained to bring my own bags. I forgot all the time, and if I did I got to pay the cashier a couple extra cents per plastic bag. But then I came home to where reusable bags were nearly unheard of. Sad to say it, but the habit of those around me in the states wiped clear the beginning of any habits I’d acquired in Quebec.

It’s amazing how easy it is to forget, and it didn’t really cross my mind again until I was married and moved up to school with Carter. I’m not sure what started the trend. We acquired a couple free bags from booths and fairs on campus and in the community. He had served a mission in Germany, where they also use their own bags, so we both had the vision deep down. Something in us changed and we decided to make the change!

It’s the lifestyle that had appealed to me for several years previous, but change is hard even if we want it. I constantly forgot to bring my bags into the store and was too lazy to grab them from the car. Sometime convenience won the battle. But slowly we started to make little changes and our vision became a habit. Basically, I know it’s not easy or convenient, but worthwhile changes TAKE TIME! So here are just a few tips to help you start being a bit more sustainable.

Bring your own reusable bags. Consider keeping a bag of them in the car. If you are worried about cost, look out for opportunities to grab them for free at fairs and farmers markets. If not, they really aren’t too expensive (usually just a couple cents at the grocery store!) and will save you in the long run because many stores actually take money off your bill if you bring own bags. (be sure to select “I brought my own bags” at checkout.

Stop using paper plates. This one can definitely be hard if you are in the habit. Carter and I are definitely no experts in staying on top of dish duty. But consider it when you’re ready. Try planning simpler, one-pot meals to reduce after-dinner dishes. Try washing the dishes immediately after so they don’t pile up (this one is a work in progress for us to say the least). You can also try getting dishes you really love so you’ll be more motivated to use them.

Keep a recycling bin inside, right next to the trash. Make it easy on yourself. Every step between you and the outdoor recycling bin is going to make it harder to start. See if you can recycle more than you throw away.

Use reusable containers instead of plastic bags. You’ll also save money here!

Hang your laundry on the line. use the dryer less. Not only saving energy, but you’ll feel kind of European! Want to be French? Hang your laundry outside your window or in the yard.

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Use the car less. I know this looks different for everyone and not every home is in an optimal location for this, but do what you can! Consider the bus if it is an option. Walk more. Ride your bike if you have one. Not only will this save money on gas, but also helps you combine exercise with necessary tasks… a simple way to incorporate a few more minutes of active movement into your day.

Carry a reusable water bottle. Again, this saves a lot of money. Many will keep your beverage cold longer, and they are safer! (plastic bottles left out in the heat may actually become harmful to use)

Opt out of using a straw at the restaraunt. If you must have one, consider buying a resuable straw. We were lucky enough to get ours free, but you can also buy them online!

Things WE are CURRENTLY working on:

Stop using plastic sandwich bags/plastic wrap. I know there are reusable options, but we need to ACT and make the change.

Bring our own container to restaraunts instead of using their boxes/doggy bags. We still forget every time. But we are working on it.

Reusable diapers. Call me crazy, but there has actually been a recent surge in the use of cloth diapers. My husband thinks I am insane. But I’m thinking I’ll give it a try when baby comes and see how it goes. (not only is it sustainable, but saves tons of money!)

Eating local/fresh produce (we just need to figure out how to do it in a financially savvy way because we are definitely low budget. Advice welcome!) and GROWING OUR OWN.

So there you have it! Hopefully these tips are helpful and have given you a thing or two you can do. These are just things we have tried and are working on, but of course there is so much more to do! What are things you do to take care of the earth? What changes have you made/ are you working on?