DIY client Steph wrote me today:

Hi Tracey,

I hope you had a wonderful Holiday Season and a very Happy New Year!

I just wanted to share with you a blog post I created about consuming less! I mentioned and linked to Anarres in point #4. I love what you're doing and want to spread the love!

Here's the link if you want to check it out: http://www.veracityfilms.com/blog/?p=464

Please check out her blog and take her advice!

TUESDAY • JANUARY 3, 2012 • BY STEPH

Hello folks, and a very Happy New Year to you all!

A new year brings with it a renewed sense of hope and optimism, and a willingness to change those bad habits that are weighing us down.

One of those bad habits that we simply must shake is over-consumption.
People, pocketbooks, and the planet will reap the rewards if we all cut down just a fraction of our consumption.

Here are some simple ideas to help you consume less and become more self-sustainable:

1) Say no to one-time-use takeout containers! If you’re eating out or grabbing a beverage on the go (as many of us regularly do), choose reusable. I often carry with me a stainless steel water bottle or travel mug, a set of reusable bamboo utensils, and a stainless steel or plastic container to eat out of. This way, if I’m out and about, and looking for a quick bite or drink, I don’t need to use throw-away styrofoam or plastic. Just a little bit of preparation goes a long way! And if I find myself, for some reason, without my handy containers, I’ll opt for a place where I can sit down and enjoy my meal/ drink my beverage with the establishment’s own reusable dishware and cutlery.

2) Bring Your Own Bags! You’d think we all know this one by now, but I’m amazed at how many plastic bags I see being toted around the city on a regular basis. Invest in a few good cotton tote bags of various shapes and sizes and carry them with you when you do your shopping. Having them on you at all times is a great way to avoid being stuck without them and having to get yet another plastic bag. There are many reusable bags that fold up into a tiny little pouch and will fit in your pocket or purse!

3) Shop Vintage or Second-Hand! Next time you’re thinking of heading to the mall or your favourite outlet for some designer duds, think again. You’d be surprised by the plethora of fashionable finds you can score at your local vintage or second-hand shop. All it takes is a little bit of patience to sort through the offerings. It may take some getting used to, but I guarantee you’ll save a ton of cash, help curtail the unnecessary production of new goods, and find an outfit that is completely unique! Think of it as a treasure hunt! You never know what you might find!

4) Make You Own Cleaning Products and Personal Care Products! You’d be surprised what a little bit of vinegar and baking soda can do in your home! Say goodbye to nasty chemicals! It’s better for your health, and the environment. And you can kiss all that packaging goodbye too! I took a few workshops, and found a few online recipes to make my own cleaning products (vinegar and baking soda can be used for most household needs), soaps, lotions and creams, lip balms, sunscreens, shampoo/ conditioner, deodorant and toothpaste, and even makeup! Making your own stuff is incredibly empowering, lots of fun, and surprisingly easy. Start with one thing, and work your way up from there! Before you know it, you’ll be whipping up all sorts of simple concoctions, and saving a lot of coin! For those in the Toronto area, check out Anarres Health for lots of helpful do-it-yourself workshops and information, as well as ethically sourced and fairly priced ingredients for all your lotion-and-potion-making needs! I cannot recommend them highly enough!

5) Think Twice About Your Purchases! Do you really need that shiny new do-dad, or a third pair of red stilettos? Why buy a second toaster when the first one works just fine? Our society has been taught that we must constantly trade in the old for the new. At all costs! We’re drawn to flashy sale signs and promises of the newest, fastest, most fashionable item at the lowest prices. However, the price on the tag only represents a small fraction of the true cost of that item. What we don’t consider are the environmental costs, the enslaving and abuse of people and animals all over the world, and the fact that a throw-away society simply is not sustainable!

This is just a start, a step in the right direction. I invite you to add to the list and come up with many more of your own ideas!

Stephanie Kittell is Veracity Films' Founder and Executive Producer.
s.kittell@veracity-films.com
www.veracity-films.com