Changes toward a more conscious existence is one we all strive to achieve. While we all dream big, we understand that the reality of making grand transitions toward mindful, small impact living can be difficult to achieve in its entirety – especially if you don’t know where to begin.
The overwhelming sense to do it all almost leaves us feeling hopeless in our current climate. Particularly off the back of recent events, our community has been left devastated at the state of our environment and more essentially – where it’s heading.
As a business, we’re faced with these decisions daily, from a small to large scale. Considerations from our recycling initiatives right through to harvesting our raw materials and the life cycle of our products are part of our responsibility to ourselves, our customers, and our earth.
Perhaps a more conscious way to live is to surrender to the process; we don’t have it all figured out, and that’s ok. Perhaps we need to slow down to keep up. By choosing a few, slight, yet impactful swaps to our lifestyles and routines, we can maintain our decisions longer-term. That’s the goal, right?
We have a few guidelines we choose to live by, and hope you can find some inspiration from our ethos…
Choose something that matters to you.
Often, we try do it all. Although we commend you on your fiery passion to save our planet, it’s understandable that financially, logistically, and socially, it’s difficult to do it all in a way that we see longevity. Choose small and viable habits to swap – ones that will become second nature.
Do you see most waste occur in your kitchen? Or in your takeaway purchases? Perhaps you prefer to consider the longevity of your clothes, shoes, homewares? Or, maybe it’s the bathroom that seems like it’s filled to the brim with products you no longer use.
Setting your intention will open up the path that is least resistant. More than that, we may be more likely to stick to it long-term.
Resist the urge to Marie Kondo...
Although we love a good overhaul (decluttering and organising is a weight lifted off our shoulders), this is perhaps one of the more environmentally damaging options out there. We’ve all fallen victim to it, especially as we try make room for new a new lifestyle or chapter in our lives.
We encourage you to devote yourself to the DIY life. There are plenty of ways to repurpose or reuse in your home:
- Using old jars, glass milk bottles, or passata bottles to store wholegrains, nuts and other pantry staples.
- Upholstering sofas that have stained, faded in colour, or just need a good fabric update.
- Painting over old side tables to update their life in your new space.
If you’re set on removing something from your life – some things just have bad energy – consider donating them to a local op-shop.
Choosing glass and recyclables over plastics
Plastics, including micro-plastics, are swarming in our oceans and stretched over our planet. It’s estimated that 8 million tonnes of new plastic find its way into the ocean each year. Of course, not only is this environmentally damaging, it’s also contributing to our health and wellbeing.
A few small changes for big impact can involve taking a keep cup for your takeaway coffee, choosing glass-bottled milk, avoiding plastic packaged items at the supermarket, or using linen market bags to the market.
Consider creating a compost for all your biodegradable packaging and foods (this includes coffee filters and egg shells!), as well as organising your recycling into hard plastics and soft plastics.
Did you know some tea bags have plastic in them? Ones that are ‘heat-sealed’ or ‘string and tag’ are the culprits. I’ve since only used loose-leaf and carried with me a portal strainer. Little swap, big impact.
Consider the life cycle of your purchases
Embracing your power as a consumer to make environmentally-friendly and sustainable choices is empowering.
From your grocery shopping to your personal care products, to the pieces that are meant to last a lifetime.
For us at Plyroom, we’ve chosen to use FSC certified Birch plywood as our raw material. The process of gathering this material is the less environmentally impactful, as it does not come from endangered tropical rainforests and made from renewable sources.
Our minimalist approach to design is influenced by the consideration of how our community will use our products in their home and beyond. We design adaptable pieces that effortlessly fit into your space. We say no to designed obsolescence and celebrate the integrity that we hold at the core of our practice.
We are strong believers in if you buy well, you only need to buy once.
A reminder
The pressure to do it all, and do it now, doesn’t have to be. Taking a more balanced approach to your small, yet impactful choices create good foundations for our habits and for our planet.
Let's prepare for our path to ultimate sustainability.
