My parents have always tried to live as sustainably as possible and passed this thought on to
me and my sisters. For example, we didn’t have a car, we managed to make most of our
vacations by train or bike, and we often bought our clothes second-hand. As a kid I didn’t always
think that was cool but now I’m glad about it. It makes me more aware of the topic of sustainable
living.
Since I’ve been living in Warsaw, I’ve had my own household/ the household of our flat share
and I’ve noticed that this is a whole new spectrum for me, in which I want to learn to live as
sustainably as possible. Especially in Poland, where most of the energy is generated from coal,
I try to make sure I don’t forget to leave the lights on or turn off the heating when I’m away from
home for a long time. These are very simple things that are not a big effort for me.
About half a year ago, I saw an Instagram post about shampoo and shower gel, how much
microplastic often is in the products and the plastic packaging itself. I stressed myself because
there were exactly these products in my shower and I didn’t want to consume such products
anymore. My first impulse was: “ I want to throw away all my cosmetic products, shampoos and
shower gels.”. I wanted to go to the nearest store to buy a sustainable shampoo. Luckily I didn’t
do it. The problem is that precisely this behavior would have been much less sustainable.
Throwing away products that I’ve already bought doesn’t make any sense. So I was patient and
used up my products even if it was hard for me.
By the way, last week it happened. All my old products where gone and now I’m the proud
owner of a sustainable shampoo bar haha 😉
Another issue is whether you can afford to be sustainable. Some people complain that
sustainable living is too expensive. That’s true in certain areas. Luckily, there are also other
things you can save money on, whether it’s buying second-hand, seasonal products instead of
imported goods, or renting instead of buying.
I recently had a conversation with my roommates about how much space people can give the
topic of sustainability at all. I tend to have an easy life in Germany. I don’t have any money
worries and I and those around me are fine. There is peace and I have the opportunity to
express my opinion freely. Germany also offers pleasant options to become more eco friendly.
They make it a bit easier for me. For example, through a deposit system, good and fast rail
transport or the wide range of vegan and vegetarian substitute products in supermarkets.
Unfortunately, many people are not offered such opportunities or simply do not have a nerve for
it. Poor conditions in your own country or other concerns mean that issues such as sustainability
are not very urgent. That was an important realization for me.Being able to live sustainably is
kind of a privilege. In addition, it is a process that goes on and on for me. In the beginning, for
example, I tried not to throw any food away, meanwhile I’ve even come so far that I know how to
use vegetable peelings when cooking and I mostly cook regionally and seasonally. Not gonna lie,
That makes me a little proud.
I think the most important thing is not to point the finger at others, but to understand that
everyone has different options to live sustainably. And on the other hand, not to drive yourself
and others crazy. Trying to live more sustainably is cool but freaking out because a tomato got
moldy in your fridge? Don ́t worry, it happens sometimes.
Finally I wrote a few things together that I have learned in the last few years and months and
maybe there is something interesting for one or the other:
- Use apps against foodwaste ( Too good to go, Beste Reste, Melon,..)
- Freeze vegetable peels and make vegetable broth from them
- Use reusable vegetable bags at the grocery store
- Vegetarian or vegan diet
- Second Hand Shopping
- Seasonal and regional cooking
- Don’t give gifts that others doesn’t need. It only causes more trash
That’s it. See you
Helen
