If you are trying to live your best life by increasing joy and minimizing stress, all while keeping your carbon footprint as low as realistically possible, welcome to the club!

 Inspired by increased media around global environmental events (Hello Covid), youth eco-leaders (We love you, Greta!), and of course the earth loving-superstars who can fit their whole family’s year of trash into a mason jar (🙋‍♀️ Hi @ZeroWasteHome, @Going.Zero.Waste and others!), more and more people are making the switch to low waste living, but are facing information overload in the process, not to mention restrictions of budget and time.

Fortunately, as we come out of the worst of the pandemic (🤞🤞🤞) and ease back into our communities with fresh perspectives on green-living priorities, the digital world has our back. Apps to find local businesses that sell vetted eco-friendly products, thoughtful blog posts outlining action steps to take, and online groups to support, educate and encourage you on your journey abound!

Here we provide a handy eco-resource list for our various “basic needs”, with a modern touch. From Wikipedia: “A traditional list of immediate “basic needs” is food (including water), shelter and clothing. Many modern lists emphasize … not just food, water, clothing and shelter, but also sanitation, education, and healthcare.” *And we include these additional aspects. (Note: This list does not cover “psychological” or “sociological” needs – we stick to the PHYSICAL fundamentals here!)

FOOD

Our eating habits impact the natural world, and its balance, more than anything else that we do! These resources are a good jumping off point to start eating seasonally, locally and sustainably – as well as how to waste less!

[Bonus! Check out this great article regarding the sustainability of Seafood: https://www.chatelaine.com/food/buying-sustainable-fish-in-canada/]

WATER

Water is the magic elixir of life. Essential for the survival of every aspect of life on Earth, it is more important than ever that we ALL act as stewards of this valuable resource. From doing your part daily by choosing products that are water wise (like Live for Tomorrow line ups), shutting off the tap while brushing your teeth, refilling your water bottle from local spots, to supporting those who actively protect our oceans and lakes, all these actions do add up!

CLOTHING

It’s fun to be frugal! Frugal with both money and resources. The links in this list all help “green up” your wardrobe. From swapping clothes, to buying and selling used items online, to only buying “new” pieces if they are from sustainable manufacturers or local makers… “Green” looks good on everyone! Just say NO … to fast fashion!

HOME

Your home is your sanctuary and should be an oasis from the toxins and stresses of life. Swapping to all-natural products for household cleaning, refilling with local staples for the pantry, adding plants both indoors and out, being conscious of what products you buy – making choices that are good for you, your home, your family AND the environment does wonders to improve the quality of your life.

SANITATION

“There is no such thing as away. When we throw anything away it must go somewhere.” Annie Leonard wisely stated in “The Story of Stuff”. We need to move away from the throw away culture, and even recycling culture, and move toward first having less waste, and second, how we handle the waste we do produce. As we move toward lower waste living, below are some resources to deal with the inevitable “Stuff” along the way, and above all we highly recommend getting familiar with your local Waste Management Resources – call or email your local municipal government to receive a detailed list of what is and is not accepted in your blue bin, and what to do with that which isn’t.

* Great article about plastics in Canada: https://www.nationalobserver.com/2021/03/09/canada-drowning-plastic-waste-recycling-wont-save-us

WORK & PLAY

“Education” gets a reboot in this section with resources to green-up your “Work & Play” with alternate transportation options and supporting the planting of trees just by browsing the internet, and staying away from your device!

HEALTH & WELLBEING

With “Healthcare” reframed as “Health & Wellbeing”, these resources support green options around physical and mental health, particularly with making informed choices about the products you interact with daily. (This short list is in no way to be regarded as a replacement to medical advice from a physician.) 

And a Canadian community that encompasses them all? Random Acts of Green (RAOG)! With a website, blog, app, AND active social media accounts, living a RAOG life helps you check all the boxes!

Their vision is to build a global climate action community where everyone feels empowered to take actions together. Their mission is to prove that any change – no matter how big or how small – can add up to make a big collective impact. Their community recognizes that we all have a part to play in protecting our shared home.

Follow them for tips toward living your best low-waste life, to learn about ecosystems – and – to take green actions to earn points! Points can be used toward discounts at participating businesses – including Live for Tomorrow! Woop woop!

Join the community here: https://raog.ca/

And find Live for Tomorrow on their site here: https://raog.ca/community/lft-group/

Eco living should be fun, easy and rewarding – and we are thrilled to be on this journey with you, and don’t forget…. As Margaret Mead wisely said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.”

Every little bit helps!