Living sustainably on a budeget. How to implement sustainability.

June 2021

Most of us have probably experienced a situation where our budget is a little tight. Whether we don’t have a job, find ourselves in a difficult spot, are saving to buy a house, or simply want to put money aside - we’ve all been there. In those situations, the way we consume is likely to change.

Living sustainably on a budget may seem very difficult, but actually, it can be easier than you think. In this entry, we have compiled a comprehensive number of budget-friendly sustainable practices to help you kick-start your journey towards a more sustainable lifestyle.

The TREE R's - Reduce, reuse, recycle

Reduce

Before making a purchase, ask yourself these questions:

Do I really need this?
Do I have a similar or different item that serves the same purpose?
Will I use this item to its full potential?
Can I borrow, rent, or buy it second-hand?
Is it within my budget?

Have an overview of the items you own and track your expenses.

Reuse

Replace single-use products with reusable alternatives
Buy second-hand

Recycle

Before putting the item in the bin, consider whether it can be reused elsewhere!
Wet, greasy, and dirty items don't belong to recycling.
Aluminium, metal and glass can be recycled infinitely.
Inform yourself of local recycling guidelines.

Learn more about Recycling →.

REPAIR

Repair what you have. If you feel you are not skilled enough, look for a repaircafe.org close to your place or ask in an appropriate SoMe group if someone in the neighbourhood has a tip for where to find help.

Browse the web for platforms and YouTube Channels to find helpful videos - there is a guide for almost everything we need to fix.
For example, ifixit.com is a terrific resource for repairing electronic devices, including cars, tablets, game consoles, and cameras.

By the way, repair.eu association fights for our right to repair all kinds of items.

SHARE & BORROW

Browse the web for a peer-to-peer sharing community platform or a private Facebook group where you can ask to borrow what you need.

UPCYCLE & DIY

Here are a few ideas for your inspiration:

Food glass jars or tins
- can be easily redecorated into candle holders, pen holders, plant pots, or small storage solutions for nails, screws and other random stuff.
- You can also take these empty jars with you to a zero-waste store and fill them with various goods - lentils, rice, flour, sweets, or many more. This may cost you less than pre-packaged goods in a regular grocery store, while giving you the possibility to control the amount you buy to prevent food waste.
- Another alternative is to use empty food jars for your home-cooked meals when you are on the go, or filling them up with leftover food and giving out to friends and family after dinner parties.
Pieces of fabric can be repurposed into a patchwork tablecloth, pillowcases, blankets or reusable gift bags (as an alternative to wrapping paper). Old t-shirts can be easily cut up into reusable cleaning cloths.
Wooden pallets work great as a bed frame, coffee table, outdoor furniture, or planter. Overall, pieces of wood can be upcycled into shelves, flower walls, or different kinds of storage.
Cardboard boxes can be turned into various storage solutions (for e.g., toys, books, shoes) by simply glueing a piece of fabric/decorative paper, old posters, maps, or wrapping paper.

INVESTMENT IN QUALITY

Whatever it is: Buy less, and you have more money to spend on high-quality purchases of durable goods.
Even if you buy second-hand items, it is worth investing in good quality. Remember, as soon as a high-quality product is purchased new, it loses a lot of its resale value, even though it loses little or nothing in quality. If you buy a high-quality product second-hand and sell it again later, depending on the item, you have a good chance of even getting your purchase price back 1:1.
Plus, learn how to Increase Your Budget Sustainably →.