Veganism isn’t necessarily for everyone. Although there are definite environmental benefits, there are also all kinds of completely valid reasons to not follow a vegan diet. For one, not everyone can do it for health reasons. Vegan food also isn’t accessible to all people in all areas. In some communities, it can be very difficult if not impossible to find vegan options. Not to mention the various cultural and financial reasons a vegan diet might not work for your lifestyle. If it does, that’s great! But the good news is, if veganism just doesn’t work for you, there are several other ways you can make little lifestyle changes to help protect the environment and the animals that live in it.
Beauty and Fashion
One really fun way to promote veganism without changing diet is by shifting your beauty routine to vegan and cruelty-free products. This is a super easy lifestyle change to make, and there are all sorts of resources out there to help. There are more vegan products out there than you might think, and they’re available in all price ranges. Products can be vegan and cruelty-free without sacrificing quality at all. A vast majority of my makeup and skincare products are now vegan. Not only does it feel more healthy and natural, but I can sleep easy knowing that no animals were harmed so my skin can look nice.
Speaking of looking good, sustainable shopping is another great way to support a healthy environment. Fashion is a huge source of waste in the environment, and shopping responsibly with the planet in mind can make a huge difference. When it comes to wardrobe updates that don’t create tons of waste, there are tons of great sustainable brands out there. Even better, buy clothing secondhand. Shopping at thrift stores is a great way to recycle and find super cute and unique pieces for less. This kind of shopping is a more ethical way to stay fashionable without damaging the planet.
When it comes to fashion, stay away from leather and fur if you can. In 2020, there are such amazing and authentic vegan alternatives. I have a faux fur coat that I swear is softer than the real thing. I’ve never had a real fur coat, but I’m sure the faux is just as good. The same goes for vegan leather. Technology has come so far that there are soft, buttery vegan leather jackets that have all the style with none of the guilt.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle
There’s a lot of plastic out there, and getting away from it entirely is a huge task. That doesn’t mean that all hope is lost. Moving away from plastics wherever possible is a great way to help protect the environment. Cutting down on paper products and saving trees is also a great thing to do. One of the easiest ways I’ve chosen to cut down on both paper and plastic is by replacing my cleaning products with more sustainable options. Instead of using paper towels, I use washable microfiber cloths. I recently made the choice to switch from sponges, which aren’t recyclable, made of plastic, and need to be replaced often, with Tawashi vegetable brushes on the recommendation of @acleanbee, a sustainable cleaning influencer. Yes, that’s a thing, and yes, it’s just as amazing as it sounds.
Another great way to move away from plastic and waste is by reusing containers. Instead of buying Tupperware, save jars from things like jam and pickles and use those instead. When your candles reach the bottom, clean them out and use them to store household items. Repurposing household items is both a fun craft project and a great way to help the planet.
A full transition to veganism might not be possible, but if you can, doing one night a week of meatless meals is a great way to cut down on consumption. Even cutting down on meat and dairy consumption just a little bit makes a dent in the environmental impact. It’s less daunting then a full-blown switch to veganism, but it still makes a difference.
Whether you follow a full vegan diet or not, these are great ways to supplement and create a healthier environment, for our animals and ourselves.
