Today, more shoppers than ever are wanting to make purchasing choices that positively impact their community and lifestyle decisions that benefit the planet. The good news is that there are countless opportunities to start incorporating eco-friendly habits into your everyday life that can benefit the environment and your wallet. 

From how you shop, to what you do with your purchases when you get home there are simple ways that we can be more sustainable, while not breaking the bank by doing it. 

There are 3 key areas that we have homed in on that will help you shop more sustainability, reduce your carbon footprint and save money. A win-win for the environment and your pocketbook.

1. It’s in the Bag

Ok, we get it - this is not a new concept, but it is a really easy win, and the best part is that you can look fashionable and feel smart while you are doing it.

Gone are the days where you had to either choose between the environmentally unfriendly single use plastic bag (which is non-recyclable and now being banned in many municipalities) vs. the crunchy, bland polypropylene style that was readily available at your local grocery store. 

Today, with so many aesthetically pleasing reusable bags on the market, brands are making it much easier to ditch single use plastic. Available in many variations of organic materials, look for bags that can easily be compressed, folded, and pulled out for when it’s needed. And you may want to have a few spares tucked away here and there because if it isn’t easy to find, it won’t get used. From netted reusable bags to sturdy designer canvas totes, to chic woven carry-alls you will actually want to tote to the mall and back.

And what about those delicate fruits and vegetables from the grocery store or market? 

You bring reusable grocery bags to the store, so why not eco-friendly produce bags? Ditch the single-use plastic baggies with reusable produce bags made from 100% food-safe fabric from post-consumer plastics, or Fair Trade-certified organic cotton. Mesh bags are ideal for fruits and veggies that need to breathe, while the solid bags are great for nuts, grains, and more! By simply bringing your eco-bags you can stop hundreds of plastic bags from heading to our landfills.

2 . Green is the New Black

Just kidding - we are not suggesting that you ditch that cute little black dress for a green frock, but did you know that there are many things you can do with your existing wardrobe to ensure that it lasts a little longer (avoiding the landfill) and saving you money?

One of the easiest - and cheapest - ways to achieve a sustainable wardrobe is by making the clothes we already own and love, last longer. Now that’s not saying that a trip to the mall to find the latest must-haves shouldn’t be on your list of things to do, but once you score that new favorite item - please show it some love.

Let’s assume that we all know the basics - sort colors, wash jeans inside out to avoid fading, hand wash delicates in cool water and treat stains quickly. But taking it a step further here are 4 easy hacks that will show your garms the love they deserve.

Don’t get hung-up on wire.
Avoid at all costs those dreaded wire hangers. Invest in quality soft or wooden hangers that will support your clothes properly and keep their intended shape, especially in the shoulders. 

A new use for “holey-toed” socks.
So, you just found that new pair of shoes that fit just right, but what to do with them once you get them home to ensure that they remain pristine? Store them in bags and dust bags to keep them dry and protected from dirt. Or if you don't have dust bags, you can use pillowcases. You can also stuff your shoes with balled up socks (you know, the ones with holes in toes ready for the trash) to keep their shape.

Zip it!
Zip all zips and tie all drawstrings before washing to avoid any nasty snags in the washer and dryer if you use it.

Keep it cool.
Store all clothes and accessories in cool, dry places, away from natural sunlight and do not keep suits or dresses in plastic dry cleaning covers. Instead use canvas garment bags or pillowcases to store your occasion wear because plastic harbours heat and moisture which is bad for your clothes.

Adopt a new mantra.
Use a have one-in, have one-out policy, so that when you buy something new, you donate something used. While donating your unwanted clothes to a good cause won’t save you money, it will help others who may be in need and reduce unnecessary items from entering the landfill. 

3. Get to Know Your Produce

You’ve just arrived home from the grocery store or farm market with those fruits and veggies that you loving hand-picked (and brought home in those reusable bags, of course!) so now take a few extra minutes to get to know your produce and understand how to maximize their freshness. Here is what you need to know:

Put your produce away DRY.
A little humidity is a good thing—but wet is bad news. Some moisture will keep produce perky; too much moisture can promote mold or mushiness. 

Fun Fact - did you know that storing whole carrots in a covered container of water will keep them firm, same for halved stalks of celery. But be sure to change the water every two or three days.

Put those plastic bags to good use.
A plastic bag (hopefully an eco-friendly version) will help prevent the moisture in your produce from evaporating, which means the stuff that usually goes limp after a few days won’t. In the case of hardy greens remove the thick stems, then tuck into a plastic bag or reusable lidded container.

Isolate the rootin’ tootin’ types.
Some fruits and vegetables are gassy! Examples include ripe bananas, apples, pears, and potatoes which produce a gas called ethylene that accelerates the ripening process of other nearby fruits and vegetables. 

Fun Fact - if you want to ripen a piece of fruit store it next to your apples.

However, if you are trying to get as much life as you can from your product, keep everybody as separate as you can. Put bananas in their own spot, keep apples in their own part of the fridge and please don’t store potatoes and onions together.

Keep those oranges and lemons in the fridge.While they may look great in a bowl on your counter, if you want to get the maximum lifespan from your citrus fruit (meaning firm and juicy) keep it in the fridge. Same for ginger.

Go sub-zero!
If you really want longevity, freeze your produce. Once it reaches its ideal ripeness, peel and cut into pieces and freeze in a single layer on a parchment-lined sheet tray until solid. Break up the frozen pieces and store in a resealable plastic bag or freezer-safe container for up to 3 months. Not everything freezes well so you may want to chop and blanch most veggies before freezing.

Hot tip for ginger.
 No one uses all the ginger in one recipe. So, if you don’t want to find it one day shriveled into an indescribable mass, store it in the freezer! Next time that recipe calls for ginger, it will be conveniently there, avoiding a trip to the market. To boot, it will be easy to grate.

Most of us are looking for ways to cut-back and shave some costs these days. One of the many benefits of sustainability is that eco-tips are often money-saving ideas that you can implement into your daily life and feel good about doing your part for mother earth as well as keep a few extra coins in the piggy bank!