7 Ways Tech Can Help You Live More Sustainably

I have written about tech a few times on the blog, but TBH I’m more of an analog girl. I like my dumb watch, my grandma pedometer, and my physical planner. You will have to FIGHT ME to switch over to a digital calendar. I don’t trust them. The only thing I trust is me and my fountain pen.

Speaking of planners and fountain pens, be sure to check out my guide to eco-friendly office supplies!

At the same time, I do love getting to stream TV shows, music, and dimming/changing the colors of my LED lights. I think tech is amazing although it can be a bit problematic from an environmental point of view.

Hellooo, super, energy-sucking servers…. You can learn more in my blog post, How Eco-Friendly is Technology.

Tech is awesome and it certainly isn’t going away.

Instead, it’s about finding ways to make it more eco-friendly like sinking servers in the ocean, and using tech to help us live our BEST eco-friendly lifestyles.

I have rounded up several gadgets that can help you slash your carbon footprint!

Making your home eco-friendly/energy efficient is a great way to have a positive impact on the environment. When we think big picture stuff, beyond just our own personal shopping habits, it’s time to look at your commute, your home, and what’s going on with your money in the bank.

1. temperature regulation:

There’s no need to waste energy heating up and cooling down your home if you’re not even going to be there. When its warm wear a tank top and open the window, when it’s cold throw on a blanket. There’s no need to hit the thermostat for every small fluctuation in temperature.

For the Winter: 65° F when not home and 68° F when home
For the Summer: 80° F when not home and 77° F when home

Programmable thermostats like Nest are all the rage these days. Nest knows when you’re home and when you’re not. It learns your habits, knows the weather, and will help maintain a schedule to keep you comfy, save on those energy bills, and give the environment a big high five.

check out Nest a learning thermostat

2. kill switch:

Phantom electricity is scary. “Nationally, phantom power accounts for more than 100 billion kWh and more than $10 billion in energy costs each year.” (source)

This is the energy that’s being sucked from devices plugged in but not in use so if your laptop charger, phone charger, kitchen aid mixer, or curling iron are plugged into the socket but not in use, it’s still sucking power from the grid.

Of course, some things need to stay plugged in like your fridge, but most things you should unplug. However, if you’ve got a plug that’s hard to reach or it’s just a pain to plug and unplug like a desktop computer or toaster oven, why not try a smart power strip?

A smart power strip hooks up with your phone so you can kill phantom electricity from afar. With the device you can check the total power consumption of each device by day, month, year and see which appliances are drawing the most amount of phantom power, and then turn them off or put them on a timer.

check out a smart power strip

3. analyze your power:

Are you ready to live your most streamlined, energy-efficient life? Good, cause I’ve got some tech for that. If The WeMo Insight adapter works similarly, to the smart power strip. Its main function is to analyze and track one devices energy usage.

This will be really helpful for figuring out which appliances or gadgets are draining your energy and bank account. For instance, if you have a fridge from the 70s, you might be spending an extra $70 in electricity alone! That’s not good for your wallet or for the environment.

RELATED: Save Money and Energy | Apartment Edition

Are you ready for the big leagues? Forget single plug analysis, why not analyze your home’s whole grid? With Sense Energy Monitor you can do that. Sense is on the pricier side, and it needs to be installed by an electrician, but it will help you monitor everything in real time. The best part, at least for me, is knowing that I didn’t actually leave the stove on…. my greatest fear and largest source of anxiety when I leave the home.

Have I had to come home from events and work because an overwhelming fear of “I LEFT MY STOVE ON,” yes, yes I have… on more than one occasion. With sense, I can check an app on my phone and know, everything is OK.

Your home might not be the only place you want to streamline for efficiency, what about your car? With Automatic Car Assistant, you plug it into your On Board Diagnostics (OBD) port. It can help track when things go wrong in the car like, “Why is my check engine light on?” And it will help you improve your driving habits through a series of beeps and app alerts.

When you’re using too much gas, accelerate too quickly, or slam on the brakes Automatic will let you know. This will extend the life of your vehicle - YAY less wear and tear! Will cut down on emissions - YAY the environment! And, will save you money, what’s not to love?

4. powered up:

Why suck energy from the grid at all? Why not go solar? You may not be able to install solar panels right now, but that doesn’t mean your devices couldn’t use a little sun bathe.

Check out this portable solar panel that can charge your phone and tablet. It’s great for hiking, outdoor, adventures, or just enjoying a nice roof top lunch during the workday.

RELATED: How to Pack a Zero Waste Lunch

As someone who’s on the go and has to use my phone at a lot of events and conferences, this is a nice alternative to traditional battery packs - just make sure that the solar panels are fully charged when using! If your phone has more energy than your panels, your panels will suck the energy out of your phone… not what you want!

check out the portable solar panel

5. light it up:

Talkin’ all about those light bulbs baby! I’m a big fan of LED light bulbs, not only are they much better for the environment - hello, energy saving - they’re also great for your wallet.

Just take a look at this chart from USA Today. You can clearly see how much LED bulbs will save you. Now, the number one complaint I hear is, “I don’t like the bright, bluish light these bulbs cast!” And, I feel that. I don’t like bright, bluish light either.

So, I got the Phillips Hue Bulbs with a range over 16 million colors. I can control these bulbs with an app, put them on timers, dim them, and feel like a god. Mostly because I say, “Hey Google, LET THEIR BE LIGHT!”

Feel like you don’t want to make investments in eco-friendly, energy saving tech because you’re renting? Well, fear no more. I’m a fellow renter, and I actually replace all of my light bulbs when I come into a rental, and then swap them all out when I leave. I do this for my shower head too!

You can read more about how I make my rental more eco-friendly.

check out my FAV LED light bulbs

6. listen responsibly:

I know that I’m 1,000 years late to the audio book game, but OMG I love audio books. I still haven’t gotten into the podcast scene too much, if you have favorites let me know in the comments down below.

Instead of streaming music when I go on a jog or nice long walk with the pup, (cute dog photos and tips for raising an eco-friendly pet) I’m crushing some audio books.

I’m in the market for some new headphones. I’m currently using the iphone ear buds that came with my iPhone 4 purchase in 2010. Someone actually complimented me on my how well I took care of my old ear buds…. #10yrs #together4eva

But, I’m in the market for some new headphones. Some nice cushy ones perfect for 5-10 mile treks.

I have a House of Marley speaker and I’m a huge fan of the company. They are one of the few tech companies, that are really working to make their electronics ethical and sustainable. They use mindfully sourced materials including bamboo, FSC™ certified wood, recycled aluminum, plastic and fabrics.

please listen responsibly:

• wooden turntable

• bluetooth portable speaker

• headphones

7. accessorize ethically:

When it comes to our phones, laptops, and tablets, I’m a big believer in cases! I know some people prefer to go the risky naked route, but I will drop my phone… it’s inevitable. And, I’d prefer for my $1,000 investment to last AS LONG AS POSSIBLE.

This is a girl with earbuds from 10 years ago. I’m not zero waste because I love the environment, (I do love the environment) I’m zero waste cause I’m cheap frugal.

When it comes to protecting your phone, my number one recommendation is a Pela Case! I’ve been a proud Pela Case owner for a long time!

The case is COMPOSTABLE! How cool is that, it’s made up with flax shive a waste by-product of the flax industry and it’s super shock absorbent which is a must for me because I drop my phone all of the the time…

One of my favorite thing about Pela is that they take full ownership over the lifespan of their product. If you can’t compost it for any reason you can send it back and they’ll take care of it for you. Plus, with each purchase they donate to environmental organizations.

check out pela case <—————- Get 20% off with the code ‘GZW20’

Environmental Activism | 7 Easy Ways to Get Your Community Involved

With all the dismal news swirling around us we may feel helpless, insignificant, or as if our actions don’t matter. 

Well, I am here to tell you that they do! Seriously. And, getting involved in your community is one of the best ways to keep eco-anxiety at bay. Get more tips for banishing eco-anxiety.

I am an environmental activist. I advocate for a less wasteful life in my community, and I am going show you how to do it too.

I’m a wife, a mom, I work, I know that time is SO valuable. I am just your average gal - I promise!

I’m going to be honest, being an activist can be a huge commitment, but it doesn’t have to be! Sometimes it’s as easy as asking a question or talking to the right person. Yep. It’s really that easy.

1. with the school:

During a meeting I asked if they would eliminate single-use, plastic straws in the cafeteria. 

It took some time, but eventually the did - which prevented 3,600 students from automatically being given a straw every day!

2. with the PTA:

In 2016, I set a personal goal to reduce the waste at the school and school events in my district.  Every year we have a HUGE carnival where thousands of plastic trinkets are handed out as prizes.

1. I decided to work with the event chairs and PTA president

2. I explained why the prizes weren’t needed

3. I explained the impact of plastic our environment

4. Reminded them that most kids played with the toys for a few minutes before throwing them away or having to be decluttered a few months later

So, they decided to ditch plastic prizes! As a bonus, this also saved the PTA a significant amount of money.

3. with a local non-profit:

I work with Go Green a non-profit organization that has really upped my community outreach.

I have worked with several organizations to “green” their events which means reducing landfill waste, setting up recycling, and composting. 

For instance, the Boy Scouts program is strong in our community and each troop has an annual Pancake Breakfast fundraiser that caters to more than 500 hungry guests.

While at the event one year, I looked around at all the waste and thought there had to be a better way.

I spoke with one of the troop leaders which then lead to me presenting a more eco-friendly pancake breakfast to the committee.

Everyone was on board so we swapped out the Styrofoam plates, plastic cups, plastic cutlery, etc. for either reusable or compostable items, while adding composting and recycling.

The original event created 18 large trash bags, the new zero waste event created only two! 

4. with the grocery store:

I love to shop from the bulk bins when I can. This helps me reduce my packaging waste. Check out the Ultimate Guide to Zero Waste Grocery Shopping.

I use my produce bags to buy nuts, granola, rice, beans, raisins, etc, but I would love for there to be more of a selection so I’m collaborating with the Bulk Regional Manager at Whole Foods to expand their bulk section. 

Hopefully this will come to fruition, especially since Illinois is about to pass a bill (HB3440) which will (FINALLY!) allow customers to use their own containers at bulk sections. Cross your fingers!

5. with gifting:

Speaking of my reusable produce bags, they always get attention when I’m grocery shopping, usually at checkout.  My rule is if someone asks me what they are or where I bought them, I give them one of mine for free!

I see this as a way of inspiring people to use reusable produce bags as well as paying it forward in hopes that they will do the same. In fact, while handing over the bag, many have excitedly told that they will do just that – how cool!

6. with the local government:

A new eatery opened on Lake Michigan which is a hot-spot for waste!

I attended our Park District’s bi-weekly meeting to advocate for better sustainability practices.  Given the proximity to Lake Michigan, I lobbied hard for the elimination of plastic straws! A no-brainer in my eyes. It’s still a work in progress but giving up is not an option.

7. with my neighborhood:

Lastly, block parties are big within my community.  Often times they create a lot of unnecessary waste.

To combat this, I created an Event Greening one-pager that provides suggestions on how to reduce waste at any type of event. 

I worked with our local government to have this one-pager added to the Village Block Party website right next to where the block party permit application resides so that residents can’t miss it! 

I am set to personally green two block parties this summer and the hope is that the one-pager will inspire residents to do the same.

impact:

The best thing about working in your community is that you get to share the message outside of yourself. Think about ALL of the people you can influence.

Not only are you bringing awareness to the those working and volunteering, you’re bringing awareness to the guests who witness first-hand how a few simple changes can reduce waste significantly. 

Guest Post: Nicole Boomgaarden, from Chicago, is the founder of imperfectzerowaste.com. She works part-time as a Sr. Business Analyst in the financial industry. Serves as the liaison with local school districts to help them adopt sustainable practices and environmental education. Enjoys playing softball, volleyball, dancing, reading and sharing her knowledge around how to live a greener life on her Instagram account @imperfect_zerowate.

Beginner's Guide to Minimalism

What is minimalism and how does it relate to zero waste? Simply put, minimalism is about living consciously and with only the things we need. Sounds a lot similar to zero waste living, huh?

Minimalism discourages excessive consumerism, just in the same way zero waste does. We don’t need excessive clothes, cars, houses and electronics to be happy – but modern society tells us otherwise. 

With minimalism, less is more. You focus not so much on the items, but on the people, the experiences, the memories you build over time. 

That doesn’t mean you have to give up all your possessions and abandon your dreams of owning a nice house or car. It simply means not putting so much pressure on physical items to bring us happiness.

When you focus too much on the material things in life, you tend to over buy and get wrapped up in consumer culture. We all know over consumption also hurts the environment, and sometimes even our own health. 

In this way, minimalism and zero waste are tied nicely together. To help you understand minimalism a bit more, here’s an introduction I’ve whipped up for you.

why should you be a minimalist?

Minimalism will help you achieve freedom. Freedom from the trappings of consumer culture, that is.

It helps you slow down and look at life from a different perspective. It makes you realize things don’t have to be overcomplicated.

The whole goal of minimalism is to find lasting happiness by ridding yourself of life’s excesses. It teaches you to focus on what’s important so you can find fulfillment.

When you go minimalist, and stop focusing so much on the material world, you can:

• Live moment by moment

• Pursue your dreams and passions

• Discover your calling

• Improve your relationships

• Focus on healthy living

• Contribute to the world

• Eliminate discontent

• Consume less

These are just a few benefits you receive from going minimalist. 

the less you consume, the better:

We all have to consume – we all need food, clothes, shelter and other essentials. It’s when we buy items we don’t really need that consumption becomes a problem, and excessive. 

We’re constantly bombarded by ads, billboards, videos and commercials telling us to consume more. If we do that, we’ll be happy. But the opposite is the truth.

True happiness doesn’t come from an item. It comes from fulfillment, from doing good, and from living a life full of meaning. 

ask yourself – when is enough, enough? 

If you can afford the necessities, is it really necessary to continuously splurge on items you don’t need? 

Do you really need the souped-up truck with the fancy stereo system? Or the huge pool in the backyard where there could be a garden? 

It’s essential to ask yourself when enough is enough. Having nice items isn’t bad, but getting lost in consumer culture is.

get to the root cause of your purchase:

Are you trying to gain happiness? Maybe you want to have something to show off to your friends and family? Are you simply bored? 

Ask yourself the reasons you want to buy more stuff. The truth may not be as innocent as you first thought.

If you’re buying items simply to keep up with the Johnsons, you need to reevaluate things on a deeper level. Buying consciously, and with intent, will make you a lot happier.

Here’s seven actionable steps to live a more minimalist life.

1. analyze your possessions: 

Start by going through what you already have and ask yourself why you bought something. In many ways, it’s similar to conducting a trash audit.

How many clothes do you have? How many kitchen appliances do you own? How many beauty products are squirreled away in your bathroom cabinet? Is it adding any value to your life at all or is it just taking up space?

When you get to know the items in your life, you start to learn your buying patterns.

2. downsize your material items: 

This doesn’t mean simply throw them into the trash! Get the ultimate guide on decluttering the zero waste way which helps you share the things you no longer use. 

Related: How to Join the Sharing Economy

Perhaps donating all your unused clothes to a thrift shop is a good option. You can also give away some items as gifts to your loved ones. Or, perhaps create a free mini library using the books you no longer read. 

There are so many creative ways to get rid of the items that no longer serve a purpose in your life, without being wasteful.

Related: Where to Donate Unusual Items (like old tennis shoes & swimsuits!)

3. simplify your routine as much as possible:

Do you have an elaborate eco-friendly skin care routine routine at night or in the morning? When you clean your home does it take you hours because you use so many different products? 

Whatever routine you have, try to find ways simplify it so you can do them more efficiently.

Generally speaking, when you cut down on the amount of items in your life, you’ll naturally create a simpler routine for yourself too. You might even gain some extra time for yourself too!

For example, when you minimize your skin care products at night, it’ll give you more time so you don’t have to rush to bed right away. You’ll actually be able to relax before going right to sleep.

As for cleaning products, there’s no need to have 10 different cleaners sitting in your cabinet. One or two really great, multi-purpose cleaning products are more than enough, like an all-purpose cleaner or my magic tub scrub that has rave reviews!

For more easy, zero-waste and eco-friendly cleaning recipes be sure to check out my book 101 Ways to Go Zero Waste.

4. analyze your wants:

Often times, we have lots of wants like a pair of trendy overalls, an avocado saver, a strawberry slicer, a new tea kettle, or dress etc. etc.

While there’s nothing wrong with having a wishlist, it’s important to ask yourself whether these items will truly bring value to your life.

Related: Why I Wait 30 Days Before Making Any Purchase

Ask yourself what will they do for your happiness once you achieve them? Keep in mind material items only tend to grant us happiness for a brief amount of time. This is a great study on how fleeting happiness can be after buying something.

Seek to pursue goals that aren’t too material based. Here’s a list of non-material based goals, wants, and experiences you might like to try instead.

• a new exercise class

• get out in nature

• try a new restaurant

• enjoy time reading a new book in a cafe

• get a massage or facial

• save for your retirement

• learn a musical insturment

• pick up a new hobby

• save for a DREAM vacation!

Get inspired with a huge list of experiences to buy instead of a new pair of shoes!

Honestly, when I’m about to buy something - (ethical fashion you so expensive) - I ask myself would you rather have a massage or a new dress? Would you rather have $1,000 in the future (be on the lookout for my guide to eco-friendly investing) or buy this new pair of shoes?

Guess what I choose 90% of the time?

5. stick to realistic, simple goals:

With all your extra free time, write out a few goals for you to achieve. Maybe you want to go back to painting or voice lessons or pick up the piano again!

But, don’t make too many goals at once. This can easily lead to overwhelm and discontent when we can’t fulfill them.

Setting too many goals can also easily over-complicate your life, and remember minimalism is all about SIMPLICITY.

Simplify your goals by narrow it down to just one or two to start. You’ll have a higher success rate if you focus on just two or three goals, opposed to eight.

Personally, I like to write down my little goals for the day in a notebook and check them off. This helps me feel satisfied when I accomplish my tasks, and helps me to break big goals (learn french or how to play the piano) into a more manageable task like practice for 30 minutes.

RELATED: 10 Self-Care Practices Good For You and the Environment

Also, having smaller day-to-day goals helps keep you in tune with the present moment, rather than living for something in the future. It keeps you grounded to the here and now, which is important in minimalism.

6. be selective with your time: 

Time is precious, so it’s important to watch who and what you give your energy to.

Is there anything in your schedule that’s eating up your time you don’t find necessary or joyful? What could you be doing with that time instead?

Analyze what your schedule looks like and see if there’s anything you deem unnecessary.

Perhaps going to get your dog groomed every week is cutting in on time you could spend playing with them. Or, maybe those piano lessons you thought you’d enjoy are becoming more like a chore and interfering with other aspects of your life. 

It’s good to re-access where you’re at and decide if you want to continue. After all, as we grow, our hobbies and interests can change.

It’s important to remember minimalism isn’t just about stuff – it's about minimizing in general. That applies to your schedule, too.

7. practice gratitude: 

It’s so important to make every day count and acknowledge your blessings. In order to live a conscious life, you have to be able to see all that you have.

I like to create a gratitude list every week of the things I’m grateful for - it keeps me centered!

Creating a gratitude list also helps me realize the things I find myself being grateful for the most aren’t items; they’re people and experiences. 

When you practice gratitude on a regular basis, you’re less likely to seek out more stuff. Instead, you’ll be content with what you already have.

I believe The Grinch said it the best, “Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! What if Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. What if Christmas...perhaps...means a little bit more!”

see all posts in minimalism…

Guest Post: Ariana Palmieri is the founder of Greenify-Me.com, a blog dedicated to zero waste living and sustainability. Her work has been featured on MindBodyGreen, Green Matters, The Penny Hoarder and several other publications. Get her free e-book "10 Ways to Reduce Trash" by signing up to her newsletter and learn how to reduce your waste today.