5 ways to live sustainably during COVID-19

Hello, world! I hope you are well, and managing to find some calm during this hectic time. With everything going on, and my extra free time now, I felt the need to share 5 ways to like sustainably during COVID-19.

In light of COVID-19 precautions, the world has changed in dramatic ways. While some countries have been dealing with these changes for weeks, here in Canada (at least in Ontario), things have completely transformed in a matter of five days. It’s surreal. Part of this includes diligent sanitation precautions, closing of storefronts and high-traffic areas, and other initiatives that can minimize the spread of the virus.

I realize that sustainability may not be at the forefront of your minds at this time. That said, it is still an important topic we should discuss. I know my fellow sustainability advocates are feeling a pang of guilt when they can’t use their containers at bulk stores anymore, or their mug at coffee shops. I agree that these precautions are necessary to flatten the curve. However, we can still live sustainably. Or at least promote sustainability in our lives in new ways. Nothing is impossible, and I am here to show you that. Below are 5 ways to live sustainably during COVID-19 while taking the neccessary precautions for a pandemic. Who would have thought I’d be writing a blog post about this topic? Certainly not me.

1. Shop local.

We have all done at least some shopping since this hype began in the last few weeks. Even if it wasn’t “stockpiling” and instead just regular groceries or everyday purchases. Right now, small companies are being hurt by reduced sales. For instance, if your store relies on customers that happen to just walk by while touring a site, and then all of a sudden those customers are no longer touring, where are your customers? Stores are closing, reducing their production, and even temporarily laying people off so they can stay afloat when this is all over.

An environmentally sustainable action you can take is to support these businesses that keep your community and local economy alive: buy from your community’s small businesses. You are reducing your carbon footprint by purchasing locally-made items, compared to items shipped from across the world. You also cut down on waste, since buying directly from the creator means you don’t require additional packaging to ship the item. Likewise, if you’re purchasing an item straight from the creator (e.g. a craft, a piece of pottery, jewellery), your money isn’t going into socially unsustainable practices, such as sweatshops.

If it’s a coffee shop, buy your morning coffee beans from there. Ordering take-out? Go to the family-owned restaurants. Buy gift cards for small stores you normally shop at so that even if you don’t need something during this time, you are helping them. Tip the employees. If their storefronts are no longer open, see if you can buy online. Also just as important, talk to the workers. Build relationships. They are part of your community, and community is everything during this time!

Here are some of the businesses I have been supporting in my community:

2. Refine your skills in the kitchen.

This past week especially has been a BIG recipe creation week for me, and I love it. I realize that preparing your own foods may not be accessible to everyone. However, if you are able to, I strongly encourage it.

First of all, preparing your own meals reduces waste. In my community, most (if not all) restaurants and coffee shops have switched to take-out only. This means styrofoam containers, coffee cups and plastic cutlery. Making your own food cuts down this waste immediately, plus reduces the energy needed to fuel your personal activities. Think about all the energy that goes into resource extraction, production, shipment and finally waste treatment for something like a styrofoam container. It’s a lot.

You can experiment with fun ways to cook sustainably, too. Try using parts of vegetables you don’t typically use, like peels. I love keeping the peels on my potatoes and squash, for instance, because they add a new texture, flavour, and are loaded with nutrients. Or, try making a plant-based recipe: I just shared an awesome vegan chocolate chip cookie recipe on my social media.

3. Repurpose the waste.

Even for myself, some waste is unavoidable given the nature of things right now. However, I try to repurpose single-use products whenever possible. I unknowingly went into a coffee shop that typically allows mugs, to realize they only allowed single-use cups when they handed me my drink in a to-go cup. Instead of getting grumpy and tossing it in the garbage, I saved it for my crafting projects.

Plastic cups are great for painting projects. Plastic produce bags can be used as linings in garbage bins, or in winter boots that are starting to leak (yes, I do this), or even in planters for certain types of plants. Yes, it does suck that we cannot actively choose to reduce our consumption of single-use products at this current time. That doesn’t mean everything has to go to waste, though.

4. Stop impulse buying.

Groceries aside, in light of these events and the prompts to reduce our interactions with others, my email has been flooded with promotions from companies advertising sales, free shipping and the like. Their offers might prompt you to buy something impulsively, given the great deals. This unnecessary consumption, or what the media and governments call purchasing of “non-vital” products, is incredibly unsustainable. Even with all the lockdowns and restrictions going on, items like these are being shipped in wasteful packaging from across the world.

Next time you go to buy something online out of impulse, stop before you click the “Checkout” button. Do you really need it? What benefit will it bring you? If it is important, is it something you can hold off on buying immediately, and if so, can you buy it in store later on when this is all settled? Simple questions like these can completely shift your mindset, and cut your consumption.

5. Find a new hobby.

Personal wellbeing is an important aspect of sustainability. If you aren’t taking care of your physical and mental health, these trying times will be even harder. Now is the perfect time to explore new hobbies, especially low-impact ones.

If you need to practice social distancing but want to get out of the house, go for a nature walk. Zero dollars spent, zero unnecessary emissions produced, but your physical health will benefit from the exercise, and your psychological wellbeing will thank you for the fresh air and exposure to nature (it’s a scientific fact). Want something more creative, or do you have little kids stuck in the house for March Break? Try making collages or paper mâché using old newspapers, magazines and glue. Learn how to sew. Watch instructional fitness videos online, like for yoga, meditation, Zumba and more.

There are some amazing Facebook groups for my local community, where yoga studios that have shut down are running full-class livestreams regularly so you can get your yoga fix for free in the comfort of your own home. All of these hobbies are low-impact, but provide you with so many health benefits. You may even find a hobby you love and want to carry on for years to come!

Final Thoughts

Let’s be real, things right now are tough. Even I am getting antsy when I spend too much time alone, and usually I am a very independent person. I’ve also felt guilty at times for being unable to control my consumption of single-use products, because you guys know I am all about that zero-waste life.

There are times when things will not be in our control as we wish them to be, and we can’t feel guilty for that. We can’t beat ourselves up. We also should not put ourselves (and others) at risk by trying to act as normal, going out in public for extended periods, travelling, etc., because the world right now is not equipped to handle our normal practices.

While we may not be able to control the situation, we can control our response. We can take this time to reflect and take care of ourselves, find new hobbies and take some much-needed relaxation time at home. We can still try to cut our waste production in whatever capacity is possible. Things are tough, yes, but not impossible. I hope that this post sharing 5 ways to live sustainably during COVID-19 helps ease your mind, and help you take back some of the control in your life.

For more sustainability tips, check out these posts:

I wish you all well, and I encourage you to try and find some peace in your lives. Eat well, sleep well, call your friends and family, get some gentle exercise, and be kind to yourself. We will get through this <3

Until next time.