We always try to avoid wasting. Whether it’s food, energy or water – it feels good to conserve. But no matter how much you do there are always ways to improve, so I was excited to take part in the Tetra Pak Challenge to test myself and perhaps push myself to do better.
Below are the steps I was provided for the challenge. Some I had considered before and others I had never even thought of which definitely made it interesting.
Step 1: When grocery shopping, choose food and beverage products with renewable packaging, like cartons.
Right off the bat we started with something I had never even thought of. When shopping in certain gourmet stores like Trader Joe’s for example I do notice many carton-style packages but I never really stopped to think why things were packaged this way. I guess I just assumed it was a cheaper or a trendier packaging design.
Nevertheless, carton style packaging has always appealed to me and I admit I am a sucker for packaging.
Step 2: Take shorter showers
I admit, I do love my shower time. The hotter the better. I use the time to decompress and enjoy some peace and quiet after a long day so this was a challenge. You would think that taking a bath would conserve water but when I researched the idea further I found that you actually use more water to fill a tub, especially our soaking tub. So I’ve been keeping my showers short and sweet and we have actually converted the kids as well. Now bathing time is much quicker and more time efficient.
Step 3: Bike or walk whenever possible
When you’re trying to be healthier, exercise is a key component. By walking to a neighbors house instead of driving around the block, I not only start feeling better physically but my conscience is clear because I’m not using up gas or polluting the environment. Now that Spring has sprung we will be using our bikes much more often.
Step 4: Swap your paper coffee cup for a mug
There was no change in my lifestyle for this step, as I already use a mug for coffee. If I’m going on the road for the morning, fill up my travel cup and take my coffee on the road. I usually also carry a stainless steel water jug with me during the day so if I do hit the drive through I save the money I would have spent on a drink and I help save the planet by not adding to the trash/recycle pile.
By changing just one simple habit, you can make a big impact on your life and the world around you! Whether you change how you get to work or simply make different choices at the grocery store, changing one habit can make a difference. Take Tetra Pak’s Happiness Quiz and see if you’re on the right track!
I know I will be much more mindful of the products I buy moving forward. Renewable materials – those made of natural resources that can be replenished such as paperboard from wood fiber or plastic sugar cane – help preserve our precious natural resources. Tetra Pak carton packaging helps protect our planet’s limited supply of natural resources, Tetra Pak cartons are mainly made from paper, a renewable resource that can be naturally replenished.
What steps do you take to live a more sustainable life?
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
These are great ways to be more environmental conscious. We try to do our part too. We recycle and when we buy food we try to make sure it comes in recycle material.
We are always looking for ways to live a more sustainable life. I will have to try shorter showers.
Really great tips! My showers aren’t as long as most, but I do tend to take longer, and fuller bubble baths which I need to cut back on!
We are too far away from most place for me to walk/bike but I however use a mug when I get my coffee and I also try and buy products in recyclable packaging. It’s my way of helping out even just a little.
These are great tips. I am definitely going to try these!
Interesting tips here.
I should do more of these sorts of things.
These are really good tips. I need to make some cuts when it comes to water, energy and garbage.
These are some great tips – I hadn’t really thought about the containers in which I buy food – I’ll have to start doing that more. x
We are very careful to check our garbage and sort accordingly for recycling. We also use natural lighting and I encourage my kids to turn off lights.
We try to walk as much as possible. Great tips :)