Here is an infographic on the difference of a plant-based, vegan, and vegetarian consumption for your reference.

BUT! Starting your journey towards a sustainable lifestyle does not mean that you have to change your diet altogether at once. There is no need to restrict yourself right away and do not be guilty if you feel that you cannot fully commit to changing your diet. You may begin with buying and consuming consciously, choosing plant-based meals when you could, or learning about the different sustainable diets that suit you and sharing the idea to others.

An eco-friendly set of cotton pads gave birth to KlimaPapel. Sounds weird, right? It’s true though. My curiosity with possible alternatives for cotton balls led me to become conscious on my relationship with the environment.

Years ago, it would have been difficult to avoid buying items made from plastic or animal products. Today, there are many sustainable shops around that can provide you with alternatives that are made with care for the environment. You can now shop for eco-friendly skincare application items, kitchen tools, clothing, and even accessories that are sustainable and to add more, some are even made in the Philippines. BUT STILL, be careful of greenwashing companies who claim to be eco-friendly by using manipulative sustainability taglines and captions.

Here are the 10 Best Eco-friendly Stores in the Philippines – (Article by Cath Mallo)

Yes, we got alternatives but we have to keep in mind the other environmental factors when it comes to shopping.

Here are a few tips how you can shop sustainably:

1. List everything you need before ordering to ensure that you will not be making multiple trips or if online, multiple deliveries.
2. Always think if you really need it or is it a decision made from your emotions at the moment? I am guilty of this! Rewarding ourselves is okay but we should be aware when it had become excessive.
3. Invest on things that will last longer. We often opt for the cheaper options but sometimes, they are the ones made with low quality materials and won’t last long leading us to unnecessary repurchases that cost us even more in the end.
4. DON’T FORGET YOUR REUSABLE BAGS! I have tons of reusable bags but I still forget them at times. Don’t be like me and always put one in your bag!
5. Be careful of too much FAST FASHION. Do not get too excited on cheap and large quantity of clothes. Fast fashion is one of the major reasons for pollution and the more we support them, the more they can harm the environment. With clothes, remind yourself that quality must be prioritized over quantity.
6. Think again before checking out. Review the items you are about to buy and make sure that you have the right quantity, colors, and ONLY THINGS YOU HAVE TO BUY. No pressure.

Broken things? Try searching the net for DIY methods to revive it, at least temporarily, before spending to buy a new one. I just repaired my office chair’s broken wheel with something really unconventional just because it is not practical for me to buy a new one since I’ll be moving anyway. Sometimes, there are materials around you that you can recycle or even “upcycle” easily.

Also, don’t be embarrassed to buy or even sell secondhand items! There are items in our spaces that will need replacement in time. Try reaching out to your relatives or friends if they might have what you need and are not using it anymore. If they do, offer a reasonable price but if you get lucky, they might give it away!

MAKE THE LOOP: You may also offer them something you don’t need anymore! It is in your discretion if you want to sell them or just give them away.