By Sabrina aka The Ethical Millennial
Both property prices and rent (as we well know) are sky-high, so a lot of people are choosing to rent rooms – with friends or total strangers – rather than a whole house.
I know from experience that this can be a great time or a ‘get me out of here’ kind of situation. One thing that can definitely cause tension if you’re one of us eco-lovers is a low uptake of environmentally conscious practices in your household.
Why does this happen? Maybe it’s because the recycling bin is too full from all the pre-drinks you hosted last week, because the utilities are included in rent so nobody ever sees the power bill, or because one person in your household just doesn’t care. Whatever the reason, we’ve compiled a quick list of green practices that are shared-living friendly + tips to get everyone in on it.
Recycling
This should no doubt be habit by now (it’s 2018, people), but recycling is one of the easiest ways to reduce the amount of waste your household sends to landfill. Check what bins you have and what can go in them. Head to the waste and recycling section of your local government’s website for a full list of can be recycled, and in which bin, even if you think you know. There may be surprises!!
If doing this seems particularly difficult for someone in your household (sigh), put a list on your fridge or near your indoor bins so there is no confusion. If you have multiple recycling bins (ie. paper + containers), try having multiple inside too, so it’s sorted correctly before it’s even taken out. Get everyone to crush cans and fold boxes to maximise your bin space.
Another great trick is to set up a spot for e-waste and other items that cannot be recycled at home – old phones (you should probably just fix it though), broken power boards, miscellaneous cables nobody can identify, batteries, light globes, and let everyone know what the deal is. I can just about guarantee that if they know it’s there, they will start recycling their batteries. Yay for the environment!
Party Supplies
Hit up your local op shop and get a bunch of extra glasses/plates so that when you’re entertaining, you have no need to go for single-use products. I realise this means more hung-over washing up, but it also makes you look like more of an adult, so it’s kinda worth it 😉
Consumables
Things like toilet paper, paper towel & food wraps are all now available from companies that pay more attention to what their products are made of + packaged in. Chemical-free cleaning products are also widely available and are not just better for the environment, but you and your housemates too.
Vegan or Beeswax Reusable Food Wraps available at BioMe
Have a chat about buying recycled toilet paper (my favourite is Who Gives A Crap) or reusable food wraps instead of plastic. If necessary, do what I do – nominate yourself to be the one who replenishes these products, and let just them know their share of the costs.
Who Gives a Crap Toilet Paper donates 50% of their profits –
au.whogivesacrap.org/
Cook Together
Bins get super full when you’ve got 4 people in a house cooking 3 separate meals each every day. Set aside a night a week for a communal meal. Not only is it a great chance to bond with your housemates and learn new recipes, the waste from making 1 dinner instead of 3 is greatly reduced.
Go Secondhand
Broken TV or washing machine? Need a new lounge? Even a damn potato masher? It might have been what you were going to do anyway, because life is expensive, but opt for secondhand wherever you can. Nothing new = no demand created = no environmental/social impact. It can also be waaaaay cheaper.
There are plenty of places to try: your local op shop, garage sales, Gumtree, markets, Facebook Marketplace, or the buy/swap/sell group for your local area.
Car Pool
Share a ride to work/uni/events. Pretty convenient given you live together, right? If you don’t drive (or can’t – preeeedriiiiiinks), keep in mind that Uber has a ‘split fare’ option that makes sharing one super simple.
Bulk Up
This might not be applicable, but if there are food/pantry items that are shared in your household, you can be a little greener by opting to buy in bulk. If the environment isn’t a good enough reason, pitch it as both a money and time saver. Another great alternative is to head to a bulk food store, where you can fill up your own containers with flour/vinegar/etc.
Clear Benches
Have a minimalist moment and keep all appliances in the cupboard. Maybe not the kettle unless you want to start World War III. Nothing can be left switched on if it’s not plugged in am I right? 😉
Sabrina of Ethical Millennial thinks that millennials get a bad wrap from their elders, whilst on the flip side, are at the forefront of a new era of conscious consumption and sustainability.
The Ethical Millennial, brings a current, slightly tongue-in-cheek view of sustainable living, with a healthy side of philosophy, style, and travel.
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