8 EASY TIPS FOR A SUSTAINABLE WINTER
Temperatures are dropping, days are getting shorter and thermostats around the world are steadily rising…You know what that means - winter is officially here. With the changing of seasons comes increased levels of energy consumption; more pollution in the air; storm drains and waterways contaminated with salt, sand and dirt and many more negative impacts to the environment. Thankfully small changes can facilitate a big impact. If eco-friendly living is as important to you in the winter as it is during the rest of the year, then keep reading for our 8 easy tips for a sustainable winter!
Easy Tips for a Sustainable Winter
Shop Sustainably
It’s normal to long for a new winter wardrobe as soon as that first snowfall hits! Shopping for a cute and cozy sweater or new winter jackets is an undeniable treat during the winter season.
However, if a sustainable winter is your end goal - try to think twice before adding that new winter garment to your cart. Ask yourself, “Do I really need this? Do I have something similar at home that I can wear instead?”
If the answers are “yes” and “no,” then skip the fast fashion and shop at your local thrift store instead. Second-hand shops are everywhere and, not only are they environmentally friendly, but your wallet will surely thank you. Second-hand items are usually much cheaper than new ones!
Sadly, you can’t always find exactly what you need when you shop at thrift stores. If you have no choice but to buy new, keep these tips in mind:
Buying New - The Ethical Way
Avoid fast fashion at all costs! Websites like Forever21, Shein and Amazon are detrimental to the environment (not to mention the issues surrounding human rights). Instead, purchase from responsible, fair trade-certified, transparent brands that use sustainable materials such as organic cotton.
Another great idea is to shop for clothes made with recycled materials. For instance, many clothing brands utilize recycled plastic bottles and recycled polyester to make sustainable clothes or shoes.
When it comes to new boots, it’s better to choose a pair made with eco-friendly vegan “leather”, instead of traditional leather. The leather industry is responsible for a plethora of environmental harms, including their use of toxic heavy metals that have been tied to cancer and pollute waterways and soil.
In need of a new winter jacket? Be sure to shop for ethical winter coats and skip the fast fashion and environmentally harmful brands. Keep in mind that you shouldn’t buy a new winter coat every year. A good quality, higher priced sustainable winter coat can last for years, possibly even decades. Thankfully - there are many sustainable, cruelty-free winter coat brands out there, it’s just a matter of shopping consciously for the right one for you.
Buy Sustainable Christmas/Holiday Gifts
Everyone gets excited about Christmas presents and holiday gifts!
This holiday season, consider gifting something zero waste, like a homemade dessert (as long as it comes in a sustainable package). Or consider buying your loved-ones something that will allow them to live a more sustainable winter, like a kitchen composter, reusable straws or any of My Kitchen & Me’s eco-friendly kitchen products!
When it comes to wrapping your presents, there is a wide range of sustainable possibilities. Get creative and look for ideas on Pinterest, or use recycled materials like old newspapers or magazines.
Shop Locally and Eat Seasonally
Instead of stocking up at the grocery store, visit your local farmers market to buy food for the holidays. These locally-produced products don’t come with a massive carbon footprint like many of the items at your local supermarket. The supply chain is shorter and the impact on the environment is lower.
This winter, be sure to eat seasonally! There are many delicious vegetables that flourish in the winter. If you want to contribute to a sustainable winter, cook dishes featuring winter veggies instead of purchasing vegetables that have traveled many miles to your supermarket’s shelves or need an artificial environment to grow.
If you’re not sure what’s in season, you can always ask at your local farmers market!
Lower Your Thermostat
Another easy way to live a sustainable winter is by lowering your thermostat. Instead of programming it to the highest setting, wear warm socks and a wool sweater at home to stay warm the energy-efficient way.
And let’s be honest, nothing gives you that warm winter feeling like fuzzy socks and a cozy sweater!
If you’re leaving your home for long periods of time, like when you go to work, turn your thermostat back to 50-60 degrees. And don’t forget to turn it off completely if you’re traveling for the holidays!
Light Your Home with Eco-Friendly Bulbs
With the number of daylight hours decreasing during winter, the energy-use of your light bulbs at home is sure to increase. Besides using lots of energy, regular incandescent bulbs are very hard to dispose of in an eco-friendly way. LED light bulbs use less energy, last longer and are overall the much more sustainable choice.
Switch out your incandescent light bulbs for LED bulbs to light your sustainable winter!
Pack a Reusable Mug for Hot Drinks On-the-Go
It’s the perfect time of year to warm up with a mug of hot cocoa, coffee or tea! Instead of wasting tons of single-use coffee cups and plastic lids, invest in a reusable mug to use every time you make or buy yourself a hot drink.
In addition to helping you live a more sustainable winter, there are a lot of coffee shops that offer discounts when you bring your own mug; including Starbucks and Dunkin’ Donuts.
Be Energy-Efficient at Home
In order to have a sustainable winter, it’s important to winterproof your home. When winter-proofing, remember: insulation is key. Be sure to seal up all gaps before the cold weather hits.
Keep the curtains open during the day to let the warm sunlight in and closed at night to keep out drafts. Lastly, make sure to unplug small appliances like chargers, toothbrushes and space heaters when they are not being used to avoid phantom energy.
Skip the Bath and Take a Shower Instead
Although we all love the feeling of a warm bath after a cold winter day, it’s not exactly the most environmentally-friendly way to get clean. Drawing a warm bath uses a ton of hot water - which takes a long time to heat up.
Instead, make the eco-friendly choice and take a short, but warm, shower. Reducing the amount of time you spend there can save several liters of water, which makes a huge difference in the long run.
With these easy and eco-friendly tips, you're now ready to have a sustainable winter in 2023!
Did we miss anything? If you have any other helpful tips towards a sustainable winter, drop them below in the comments! And don't forget to follow us on Instagram @mykitchenandmeonline for daily sustainability tips and eco-friendly living.