7 Top Eco Lifestyle Tips

biome-reuseable straws

7 Top Eco Tips

In the lead up to Christmas, it’s easy to get carried away with the shopping frenzy – however being mindful of your actions and purchases is the easiest way to begin leading a healthier life for you and the planet – and help you enjoy a more sustainable Christmas.

Founder of Biome Eco Stores, Tracey Bailey, has provided her seven top eco tips to help you reduce your environmental footprint.

Think before you buy

Buying food from bulk food suppliers and using reusable storage containers will significantly reduce your consumption of single use waste. When shopping, prevent purchasing anything covered in plastic and avoid using plastic bags to store loose foods. A great alternative to plastic produce bags is Onya Weigh reusable produce bags made from 100% rPET (recycled PET). When shopping for fresh produce, try to buy direct from local farmers and businesses. This will not only support your local community but will significantly reduce your food miles. Check out your local pre-Christmas market for fresh produce.

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Reduce disposables

From water bottles and straws to razors and shopping bags, disposable products are everywhere. Purchasing reusable products instead of disposable products is a simple way to reduce your contribution to landfill. There are many environmentally friendly reusable alternatives that not only save you money but offer a cleaner option of the environment. Beeswax wraps are an excellent alternative to plastic food wrap, plastic straws can easily be swapped for reusable straws, and a reusable shopping bag will significantly reduce your reliance on single use plastic bags.

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Compost your food scraps

Composting your food scraps is a simple way to reduce your contribution to landfill while providing nutrient rich fertiliser for your garden. New designs of compost bins make it easy for everyone to compost their scraps regardless of the size of their home. The Urban Composter is great for small households and units as its compact size fits inside most kitchen cupboards while larger outdoor compost bins make it easier for families to reduce their general waste.

Think about what you wash down the drain

Chemicals are in numerous household products from shampoo and soap to detergent and toilet cleaner. Switching to nontoxic environmentally friendly products will reduce the number of chemicals you use in your home and will support a healthier environment. An affordable alternative to avoid the chemicals in products is to make your own from natural ingredients. This will ensure you know exactly what is in each product and you can avoid the nasty chemicals found in most conventional products.

Grow your own produce

From edible flowers and herbs to vegetables and fruit trees, it is possible for everyone to grow their own produce regardless of the size of their backyard, balcony or home. If you live in an apartment and don’t have access to a backyard, try growing smaller plants and vegetables in pots on your balcony or kitchen windowsill, and join a community garden to grow larger produce. If you have a backyard, dedicate a small section to planting edible plants. Growing your own produce will significantly reduce your carbon footprint by reducing the food miles of the produce you consume.

Repair, swap or donate

Try repairing broken or worn objects before replacing them. This will not only save you money but will prevent functioning items being sent to landfill. If you need to replace an item you might have outgrown or simply don’t require anymore, try swapping it or donating it. Biome Eco Stores collects unwanted bras for Uplift Project which are donated to women in disadvantaged communities.

Recycle

Recycling is the easiest way to support a healthier environment and reduce your contribution to landfill. Although it’s best to create as little waste as possible, there are certain items that most households require which are incredibly toxic to the environment if sent to landfill. It is important to research what can and can’t be recycled before allocating it to a recycling or waste bin. Most items can be recycled but not all can be placed in council recycling bins. Batteries can be recycled at designated recycling centres to recover plastics and some metals. Other products that can be recycled at designated recycling centres include phones, laptops, some metals, plastic bags and light bulbs.

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About Biome Eco Stores:

Biome Eco Stores is a Brisbane-based retail business which provides Australia’s largest range of eco-friendly products instore and online, offering deliveries nation-wide. From natural skincare and green cleaning to safe, reusable water bottles and food pouches, Biome helps Australians live waste free, toxin free and ethical lives. The business was founded in 2003 by Tracey Bailey and now employs 46 people across its online and Balmoral, Indooroopilly, Brisbane City and Paddington stores.

For more:

www.biome.com.au

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2018