Earth Day is coming up soon, and this year’s theme,Invest in our Planet, reminds us of just how crucial it is to strive towards sustainability in all aspects of our lives. 

If you’re feeling

• Overwhelmed by the sheer number of issues we’re facing
• Despondent because you can’t see how your contribution could possibly make any difference
• Frustrated because you don’t know where to start…

Take heart budding eco-champion! 

You can make a difference! And there’s never been a better time to get inspired, take action, and be part of the green revolution. 

In this article, we’re going to show you some simple ways that you can invest in our planet.

The trick is to act like an ant

Why an ant? Because ants understand the value of doing things in small increments. 

For instance, did you know that fungus gardening ants can move more 1000 kilograms of soil in a single year? And all that soil is moved one tiny grain at a time! 

What we’re getting at here is that, by making just one small change at a time, you’ll soon be rocking the eco-friendly lifestyle like a boss! 

As Zero Waste Chef Anne-Marie Bonneau puts it:

‘We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly.
We need millions of people doing zero waste imperfectly.’

Are you ready to be one of those millions? Let’s get started!

52 small changes you can make that will have a big impact!

You might already be doing some of the things on the list. If so, take a moment to give yourself a well-deserved high-five for each of those. Then read on. 

Sustainable Shopping

1. Choose sustainable stationery, such as Notely notebooks,wall planners andjournals.
2. Purchase products made from sustainable materials. Check out these bamboo products, andWho Gives A Crap plastic-free sustainable paper towels, toilet paper and tissues.
3. Buy products that come in minimal, plastic-free, and preferably, compostable packaging. 
4. Buy concentrates that you can make up in reusable containers rather than individually packaged items. For example, this 300g glass jar of Ulu Hye Almond Mylk Base makes 10l of almond milk and saves the need to produce 10 tetra cartons. 
5. Support eco-friendly fashion brands and opt for natural fibres, such as cotton or bamboo, instead of synthetic ones.
6. Choose suppliers who use carbon-neutral shipping methods.
7. Support companies that use sustainable and ethical sourcing practices. For instance, take a look at these palm-oil-free Easter treats or thispalm-oil free sunscreen.
8. Repair, repurpose or reuse items instead of throwing them away and buying new ones.

Household Products

9. Choose non-toxic, eco-friendly or natural cleaning products, such as vinegar and baking soda or try Bonnie McQueen’s amazing cleaning pods.
10. Replace wipes and paper towels with sustainable dish cloths, and cleaning cloths.
11. Use reusable mop pads instead of disposable ones.
12. Ditch products that come in single-use plastic containers or packages.

Eco-pro tip: Swap each product for a more eco-friendly one as soon as your current bottle runs out. Don’t forget to dispose of each part of the container properly.

Personal Care

13. Use eco-friendly or natural personal care products. For example, take a look at Solid (NZ) andGo For Zero (Aus) for eco-friendly dental care products.
14. Change to a reusable razor instead of disposable ones. Biome has a great range of metal safety razors – some even come in a portable tin.
15. Choose reusable pads, menstrual cups, or period underwear over disposable pads and tampons. 
16. Replace cotton wool swabs and disposable wipes with a reusable makeup remover pads.
17. Use handkerchiefs instead of disposable tissues.
18. Opt for reusable nappies rather than disposable ones.

Out and about

19. Reduce your use of single-use plastics, such as straws, plastic teaspoons, stir sticks and utensils. Replace these with sustainable cutlery.
20. Go for a reusable lunch box instead of relying on plastic bags and disposable packaging.
21. Choose reusable shopping bags – preferably made from natural fibres, such as Seed & Sprout Co’s Organic Farmer’s Market Kit – instead of using plastic bags.
22. Switch to compostable doggie poo bags.
23. Use an activated charcoal water filter and reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled water.
24. Use a reusable face mask instead of disposable ones.
25. If you aren’t already part of the keep-cup movement, switch to a reusable coffee cup instead of disposable ones. 

By the way: Did you know that at Notely we’ve been doing our bit to remove coffee cup waste from the environment? Take a gander at our Cup Notes range, where the covers are made from recycled coffee cups, and the inside pages are made from recycled paper.

Food & food waste

26. Switch to silicone baking mats rather than greaseproof paper.
27. Plant a veggie garden to grow your own produce.
28. Compost food scraps. Check out the Urban Composter starter kit.
29. Reduce your meat consumption to decrease the carbon footprint of your food.
30. Buy locally grown produce and shop at local farmers markets.

Food storage

31. Use reusable containers instead of disposable ones to store food and drinks. 
32. Reduce food waste by planning meals and using leftovers.
33. Choose reusable food wraps, such as the swag bag, orbees wax sheets instead of plastic wrap.

Saving Power

34. Turn off lights and electronics when not in use.
35. Invest in energy-efficient appliances and LED light bulbs.
36. Use a clothesline or drying rack instead of a tumble dryer.
37. Choose rechargeable or solar-powered lightsand small appliances over disposable battery-powered ones.
38. Use solar panels to generate your own energy at home and on camping trips.
39. Turn appliances off at wall sockets to reduce standby energy use.

Connect: Follow social media groups such as My Efficient Home for more ideas and to join in the conversation around sustainable energy.

Water

40. Use a tank to collect rainwater for watering plants.
41. Take shorter showers.
42. Turn off the water while brushing your teeth.

Getting around

43. Make use of public transport or carpool instead of driving alone.
44. Cycle or walk instead of a taking the car on short trips.

Your community

45. Participate in community recycling programs.
46. Join in beach or park clean-ups.
47. Get involved in community gardens or urban farming initiatives.
48. Volunteer at community tree planting days.
49. Pick up at least three pieces of litter and properly dispose of them whenever you go to the beach.
50. Take a reusable bag with you on walks around your neighbourhood and pick up and properly dispose of any litter you see lying around.

Raising awareness

51. Encourage your friends and family to live more sustainably. For example, by purchasing starter packs of environmentally friendly products as gifts for them to try.
52. Wrap gifts in cloth bags or teatowels. This is not only fantastic for the environment, but it also makes a great starting point for a conversation about reducing waste. 

Two simple steps you can take right now…

Now that you’ve gone through the list, its time to:

Reflect

Crack open that gorgeous eco-friendly Notely journal ornotebook and explore your relationship with the planet and how you can contribute towards a more sustainable future. 

Here are a few journal prompts to get you started:

• Consider the environmental challenges are we facing as a society. 
• Why are these important to you?
• Consider some of the ways your lifestyle impacts the environment? 
• Write down and celebrate the things you’re already doing right! 
• Pick your favourite ideas from our list.
• Jot down any other things you can do to live more sustainably and invest in our planet.

Take action

• Choose one item from our list each week and put it into practice.
• Add items from your own list and action those too!
• Celebrate Earth Day by joining in events in your area, such as the Earth Day Planting in Brookwater just south of Brisbane.

Unsure where to start?

Why not begin by treating yourself to some stunning sustainable Notely stationery... you’ll be helping us to replant the planet, one note at a time!  

Here’s how we’re investing in the planet…

Through our partnership with Reforest Now, one tree is planted for every order we receive. Plus, every third order funds the protection of 2 sqm of native rainforest through Rainforest Rescue.

With your help, we can achieve our goal of replanting 100,000 trees by 2025!