This is a new game I made up for myself to play at home called “which is the more sustainable option?”⁣

It all started when someone began the convo on Instagram about using bamboo utensils in place of plastic when we already have more than enough metal utensils in our kitchen drawers. I think some people sort of laughed it off, but it was in line with something I have been thinking for a little while now. So, which is the more sustainable choice? To buy the cute, aesthetically-pleasing reusables from a store, or use something that already exists within my own home that does the same exact job? Obviously I am guilty of doing the former, which I would tend to argue is NOT the most sustainable choice. But I’m on a journey and am continually learning, making mistakes, and growing along the way⁣.

When we first started making the change to consume less plastic and be more mindful of our waste creation I definitely got caught up in the excitement of it all. I began a collection of functional items that would help me eliminate waste and be more conscious of a consumer. But I think along the way I lost sight of what is truly sustainable and conscious consumerism. ⁣

Sustainable and conscious consumerism doesn’t mean being trendy or up to date with the latest gadgets and gizmos, or attaining a certain “look” or “feel” when it comes to the items in my home. It means being aware of how my use of a particular item impacts the things around me be it the planet, the people living on it, or even my own wallet! After all, the motto is first R E D U C E, then reuse, meaning we should seek to reduce our consumption in the first place.⁣

So back to my new game! Let’s play, shall we?

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When we got married we were given a large set of metal utensils that we’ve been using ever since. With only two people in the house, there’s more than likely at least 4 or 5 of each utensil sitting clean and unused in the drawer at a time (unless we’ve been really bad about cleaning our dishes). This means that there’s always a set of utensils ready to be used on-the-go for work lunches. So, did I need the bamboo set in the first place? No. Did I think getting it would help me to be more sustainable and reduce waste? Yes. Did it? I mean….sure? But I think in the long run the money spent on them, the extra packaging used to mail them (even though it was plastic-free), and the increased amount of “stuff” I now have due to them deem them NOT the most conscious or sustainable option.

Pre-owned metal utensils > sustainably marketed bamboo cutlery.

Straws. This one is a unique situation, in my opinion. Back when we got married (didn’t mean to reference our wedding or marriage as much as I am haha) we had a ton of paper straws at the wedding to enjoy some ice-cold Cheerwine! Somehow, five years later we still have a few dozen of those paper straws leftover! Fast forward to this past winter when I bought us some metal straws to “be more sustainable” and all that. Did I even check to see if we had any straw options first? Probably not. Are paper straws, in the long run, the more sustainable option? Also probably not, because you’ll have to buy them again. But timing is key here. There are plenty of sustainable swaps that can be made when the time is right. The big thing I try to emphasize to myself and to others seeking to live a more sustainable, plastic-free lifestyle is to use up what you have first. THEN go out and buy the plastic-free alternative. Why is this important? Because saving the planet and decreasing waste shouldn’t cause you to go broke. You shouldn’t have to spend money at the wrong time or spend money you don’t have in the name of sustainability. That is not responsible. We need to be conscious of our consumption habits and how they impact us just as much as the planet.

Metal straws > paper straws once you’ve run out of your current stash.

So, yes, one bag is technically made out of plastic material, but it is just as reusable as a mesh or cotton bag and doesn’t have any gaping holes in it where things could fall out (is anyone else weirded out that these mesh bags are so popular when they have such big, stretchy holes in them!? I mean, I think I get it, but still…no holes, please). The blue, plastic bag was free, whereas the black mesh bag was not. This is where the aesthetic of being sustainable can get us and our wallets into trouble. My encouragement to you is to keep on pursuing sustainability regardless of how it looks because if you’re in it to impress other people with your efforts, you’ll be left disappointed when they, in fact, don’t care about you as much as you think (preaching to myself here, too). And if you are pursuing sustainability to help the planet, well, guess what, the planet doesn’t care what you look like either ;)

Free, pre-owned reusable bag > cute, mesh reusable bag that costs money.

But what about produce bags?!

Yes, what about produce bags? Those little plastic buggers sneakily stationed at every corner of the produce section of a grocery store with their little twisty-tie counterparts….! This one is hard to get around because unless you happened to have a light-as-a-feather cotton satchel bag laying around, you likely do want something to be able to carry your fresh produce home in, something like a produce bag from a sustainability shop. In this situation, I happened to be gifted a big bundle of produce bags for Christmas which was a true delight (no money spent, serves a very practical purpose)! Around the same time, I also started using this bag I had gotten from a clothing store when I purchased something (props to them for skipping the plastic!) and realized that it, too, worked as a produce bag. So my vote would be to look for something that could work as a produce bag, and if you don’t find anything, find some at a responsibly-sourced plastic-free shop to add to your sustainability arsenal.

Produce bags > not having produce bags available and using plastic.

Well, that’s all folks! Thanks for playing along with me and hopefully learning a thing or two on how to be more sustainable using the resources already available to you in your own home. As always, it’s a journey. Stoked to be on it with you <3