Resolutions have never been on our “to-do list” for the turn of each year, in the sense of a new diet or gym routine, as these kind of intense regimes are often not sustainable and often don’t serve the greater good.
Resolutions feel like ‘Here’s all the things I feel guilty that I didn’t do last year!’
Ugh, who needs guilt?
Intentions on the other hand, feel positive and are focused on priorities and positive change. Why not make this years’ intentions to positively impact a community or planet earth?
The new year and new decade is underway and talking about sustainability is always on high rotation here at Earth and Skin. As a business and in our personal lives we review our environmental impact and make ongoing changes to support the health of the world moving forward.
The importance of these conversations has escalated with the Australian bushfire events and we wanted to provide a few ways in which we can all work towards a sustainable future. The impact of the bushfires is overwhelming for the people immediately involved and the impact will stretch far into the future. The fires will have a global impact, this is not simply and Australian problem.
Image via Unsplash
How can you help to support a sustainable future?
Keeping cool
Australian summers can be tough, we know, and the temperatures keep rising. Ceiling fans, cross ventilation and insulation are great ways to cool a house and resorting to air conditioners only when absolutely necessary.
Smart use of water
Drought has encompassed much of Australia and smart use of water is important and will continue to be so in the future.
Ways in which we can be smarter with water at home
- Install water-saving shower-heads
- Use the Eco function on your washing machine
- Only run the dishwasher when it’s full
- Use half flush on the toilet
- Recycling grey-water to the garden
- Turn the tap off when you brush your teeth
- Put a bucket in the shower to collect water for use on plants or better still, install grey water usage at home
- Plant indigenous plants to your area, as these plants survived without irrigation for many centuries
Getting around town
Heading up the street or to the beach? Leave the car at home and jump on the bike or get those feet moving and walk the pavement, carpool or if it’s in your budget and you are in the market for a new car, consider an electric vehicle.
Support sustainable businesses
There are many businesses with environmental policies and sustainable practices and you can support the environment by choosing where you spend your dollars. Ask your bank and energy companies if they have sustainability and environmental policies in place.
Sustainable shopping
Before buying consider if you need it? Can you buy it second hand? Ditch the plastic and use cloth/canvas bags. Buy less and buy from certified eco-friendly brands. Consider shopping at bulk food stores to minimise packaging.
Image via Unsplash
Research new appliances
Before jumping in and buying the new appliance consider a few things. Do you really need the appliance? Often we are quick to replace items without considering if we actually need them. Does it have a good energy efficiency rating? Look for local recycling drop zones to ensure the item is recycled.
One person, one action is never too small to make a positive impact on others and the environment. We are responsible for making the change, which intention do you feel you could do this year?
Earth and Skin is a Gold Coast organic day spa with a difference. We offer beauty treatments and products that are vegan, organic, chemical-free and free from animal cruelty. We have done the research into the safety and toxicity of common beauty rituals and have developed our menu based on the safest, most effective treatments available. If you’d love to experience beauty that cares for you and the Earth, we’d love to see you. Call now on 07 5530 7959 to book an appointment or book online.
