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Small Changes Make a BIG Impact

by: Laura Simpson, Programs + Distribution Coordinator, City Sprouts


Learn simple ways to live a more sustainable lifestyle and reduce your carbon footprint - small changes make a BIG impact.


Minimize Single Use Plastics


Single use plastic bags and plastics are extremely detrimental to our planet. Unfortunately plastics are hard to avoid because of how so many of the products we buy are packaged. 4 countries have banned single use plastics all together. If you need a little more convincing, here are some statistics from World Counts; 5 trillion single-use shopping bags are used per year worldwide. That amount averages to 700 bags per person. Less than one percent of those bags are recycled; meaning by the year 2050 the world's oceans could contain more plastic than fish. Here are some simple ways to minimize your consumption of single-use plastics and reduce your carbon footprint:

  • Opt for reusable shopping bags made of natural fibers like cotton, hemp, or linen

  • Avoid single-use water bottles and opt for an insulated steel cup instead

  • Minimize use of paper products and switch to re-usable or compostable options (paper towels, tissue, paper plates, cups, bowls, silverware, tissue, etc.)

  • Switch to more sustainable household products by sourcing locally or making products at home


Laundry Detergent


  • Soap Nut Berries are indigenous to the Himalayan mountain region. They contain natural saponin which creates a mild lather that is gentle on skin so is great for those with sensitivities. Depending on how often you do laundry a single ounce of soap nut berries can last 3-6 months. Soap berries can be purchased through various online retailers or locally (Omaha, Neb.) at EXIST Green for less than $1/ounce.



  • 3 ingredient DIY Laundry Detergent Bar of soap, Borax, Washing Soda This RECIPE makes 5 cups of powdered laundry detergent Try adding ¼ cup vinegar to your rinse cycle for extra cleaning power


  • Detergent Sheets Similar in appearance to dryer sheets, but intended for washing. These are usually sold in biodegradable packaging so they are much more environmentally friendly.


Sponges Most commercially available sponges contain plastics and polyester that do not decompose. Simply switching to a natural biodegradable material will help reduce environmental impact over time.

  • Luffa Squash are a long season squash/gourd that can be grown here in Nebraska. Once they are completely dry the skin is removed and they can be cut into various sizes; perfect for all your cleaning needs



  • Coconut Husk Another natural fiber that, when dried and compounded, makes for a great alternative




Bar Shampoos, Conditioner, Body, and Dish Soap Ditch the plastic and buy a bar! I will admit as a person with thick curly hair I was skeptical of using a shampoo/conditioner bar. I decided to give it a “solid” go and am very pleased with the overall health of my hair. I’ve had the same bar for nearly six months and it’s only about half gone. When I was using liquid products in plastic bottles I was buying them every couple of months. I’d recommend checking out your local farmers market for handmade soap bars.



REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE


Consider buying used products as much as possible.

Thrift Stores, estate sales, and garage sales are great places to find a bargain. There is also a plethora of websites at our fingertips to buy and sell products no longer in use.


Consider doing swaps with friends, family, and/or co-workers.

Swaps are an effective way to keep products in use and also helps build community relationships.