My new eco swaps, after reading the IPCC report

Whatever we’re doing, is not enough. That’s the feeling that I have daily while watching the news or walking around. The IPCC report is the ultimate sign. Here are my latest eco-friendly swaps, as a personal attempt to reduce my environmental impact.

Even though I’ve been adopting eco-friendly gestures for a few years now, I know there is a lot more that I can do. On the other hand, I want to be realistic about my efforts and how far I can go. For me, it is more important to fully incorporate a new practice into my lifestyle (and make it an everyday habit) rather than doing it just once - as it might be hard to keep.

Out of all the things I could do to reduce my footprint, I’ve decided to pick just a handful. Five things that are nothing but an improvement on everyday gestures. Making these more sustainable towards the environment.

Without further ado, here are my new eco-friendly swaps:

Digital Planner

I need to handwrite and take notes on pretty much everything. Even though I’ve been working for digital companies for over a decade now, I still need to put words down on paper. That’s when my copywriting flows - but that’s a different story.

Every summer I buy a new planner for the year ahead (September to August). It’s a special moment for me because I am particularly picky about which planner I am going to choose - layout, page structure, writing areas, paper quality, and so on. 

This year, given my attempt to reduce paper usage, I’ve decided to go digital instead of buying a new loyal paper companion. After doing some research, I’ve ended up purchasing the Pencil Planner app for iPad. 

It resembles a paper planner. I can scribble, draw, highlight… just like I would do on a standard planner. But, unlike a regular yearly planner, this one is a one-time purchase and that I can use for years on end (a real bargain).

How’s it going? So far, so good. The trick is to use it on landscape mode, so I can access all areas in a single glance and take notes more easily (without zooming in).

How can it help the environment? By making this swap, fewer resources will be needed: paper, plastic, aluminum, packaging, and shipping. I will also be needing fewer writing supplies, such as pens, pencils, and highlighters. Such a nice swap, isn’t it?

Beauty products in a glass package

I love to see what’s new in beauty and take care of my skin, but there’s something that truly annoys me: the plastic packaging.

Plastic is ubiquitous when it comes to beauty products. Even though certain types of plastic can be recycled, it can’t be recycled more than a couple of times - as it will start losing its properties. And when that happens, that piece of plastic will have to be incinerated - and we all know the consequences.

On the other hand, aluminum and glass can be recycled countless times. Making it a wiser choice when it comes to the environment. Even though I use plenty of package-free beauty products, it’s hard to find skincare products in this format. 

So, what I can do? Keep the “naked” beauty products that I already use, and swap some of my plastic-packaged goodies for an alternative that comes in a glass jar or bottle. Even if it means spending some extra bucks upfront.

Why? It’s a small gesture for me, and it will have such a big impact on the planet (well, not so big… given that it’s just me doing this, but you get it) that it’s worth it.

I don’t have a one or two-step skincare routine, which means if I can replace two or three plastic tubes with two or three glass jars (every three months) - that’s quite something by the end of the year.

Also, it’s not that hard to find beauty products that come in glass jars. Plus, brands are becoming more conscious about it and are even launching refills on their best-sellers (like Charlotte Tilbury, for example).

GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag

I’ve lived most of my life by the sea and knowing the number of plastics (especially microplastics) that are ending up in our oceans and being eaten by fish and birds, really breaks my heart.

As I’ve recently gone back to the gym, and most workout clothes are made out of plastic derivates, it was time for me to take action and prevent some microplastics from ending up in the ocean.

So I’ve bought a GUPPYFRIEND Washing Bag. What is it? It’s a big bag where you put your not-so-eco-friendly clothes on. You throw it in the washer, along with your natural-fiber goodies, and proceed as you’d normally do.

After removing your clothes from the washing bag, you’ll notice some tiny pieces of plastic on the bottom of the bag. Ditch these properly.

This is still a relatively new purchase for me and I want to use it a couple more times, before writing a full review. So, stay tuned!

Walk and bike around

Let me tell you a secret: I don’t have a driver’s license. I’ve tried it a couple of times way back. First, when I was still in college. And then, when I got my first paying job as a journalist. But I never really went through the whole thing.

At that time, I was being pressured by family and friends to get it done. There was this general sense of pride when someone got their driver’s license. But the environmentalist in me frowned at the idea of driving a car, spending hours on traffic jams, and producing more carbon emissions.

For me, that was wrong. Instead, I’ve decided to rely on public transportation. Even when I was living far from work and that meant spending three hours of my day on commute.

Nowadays, living on the outskirts of Madrid and having a longer commute, I still don’t have a driver’s license. I keep relying on public transportation when I need to go to the office or when running errands around town - even if it means spending a lot of extra time.

After the IPCC report, I’ve decided to do more and more things locally. Walk to get my groceries or to the gym. I’ve also got a bike (named Phoebe), as an early birthday gift, so I could substitute some bus rides (and money).

Even though it’s better to use the bus than private transportation, if you can reach your destination with zero emissions - that’s even better.

Fewer takeouts, more cooking

It’s so easy to fall onto the Uber Eats and Deliveroo bandwagon when you’re feeling tired and swamped with work.

No matter how tempting and mouthwatering it is, such a habit is also bad for the environment, your waist, and your finances.

Have you ever notice the waste you end up with, after eating a takeout meal? Now multiply it by three or four meals, during the week or over a lazy weekend. It’s overwhelming!

Even if I don’t order takeout that often, I feel ashamed when I am taking it to the trash or the recycling bin.

In an attempt to reduce my footprint, I am willing to cook more. Using real and local ingredients. I’ve used to cook regularly before moving to Madrid, but after spending a few years in a teeny-tiny apartment… I’ve just lot the habit.

What about you? Have you introduced some new eco-friendly swaps in your daily life?