your natural self

6 Ways to Make Your Wellness Routine More Eco-Friendly

Published on March 11, 2023


Our planet is precious — we don’t have to tell you that twice. But it’s not a renewable resource, and it seems like the headlines are growing more and more urgent regarding the health of our planet. If you’re growing more concerned about the future and want to do your part in a more meaningful way than just recycling your trash, there are a few key tweaks you can make to your existing wellness routine to help reduce your footprint. 

Go Plant-Based 

You don’t have to eat a fully vegan diet for the rest of your life, but swapping out a few meat-centric meals each week is a delicious way to green up your dinner routine. Meat production has enormous environmental impacts, producing more than half of the greenhouse gasses worldwide. You can do your part by eating less meat or purchasing from a local farmer to help reduce your footprint. Plus, skipping the meat and trying new plant-based meals is a great challenge for your culinary skills. Pick up a fun veggie-friendly cookbook or borrow one from the library and add a few new recipes to your routine. 

Shop Local 

Support local farmers, makers, and businesses when you’re out shopping. Hit up the farmers market for in-season local produce, buy gifts at a small business, and reduce carbon emissions from shipping by sticking close to home instead of ordering online if at all possible. It’s also a great way to connect with people in your community and make new friends!

Grow Your Own Produce 

Round out your healthy meals with homegrown produce. If you have the space, plant your favorite herbs, veggies, and berries to enjoy the fruits of your labor without leaving the house. Food tastes so much better when you raised it yourself. 

Start Composting 

So you bought a pile of veggies at the farmer’s market. What now? Prep anything that needs chopping or peeling so it’s easy to toss into a meal later, then take the excess and compost it. Wait, you don’t have a compost bucket? It’s time to get one! Composting is so easy and a wonderful way to reduce food waste and turn those peels, stems, leaves, and leftover bits into nourishing soil for your garden or planters. Depending on your space, you can get a tiny bucket for your countertop or a larger one to store under the sink. Many communities offer curbside composting if you want to participate but don’t have space for a full-on composting bin. 

Get Outside For a Workout 

Ditch the treadmill or the exercise bike and head outdoors to get your sweat on. You’re saving electricity and connecting with nature — what’s better than that? 

Make Sure You’re Recycling Right 

Are you sure you’re following the recycling rules in your community? You likely have the best of intentions, but chucking an empty, but still food-smeared peanut butter jar or condiment bottle means that item likely won’t be recycled. It pays to take a few minutes to review the guidelines for your local recycling facility to ensure that your items are given a second life and not tossed in the trash. Can you recycle that vitamin jar, or would that glass bottle have a better life as a planter or a cute vase? Consider upcycling items when you can or opting for refillable vessels to reduce plastic waste. If you do recycle, rinse containers completely, collapse boxes, and make sure each item you’re recycling is approved at the facility. 

Shop with companies that represent your values and make your voice heard 

Doing the right thing starts with corporations and politicians, who are responsible for much of this needed change. Shop with companies that represent your values, like cruelty-free, vegan, B-Corp, and sustainable agriculture, and get involved in your community regarding environmental issues. There’s power in raising your voice and contacting your representatives on a regular basis to encourage them to speak up and make change.