As we enter a new year, we want to take a moment to celebrate the strides we made together in 2024. Thanks to your commitment to sustainability, we helped reduce waste by refilling over 570 500mL containers and supported local businesses by offering products crafted by Canadian makers. Your participation in our circular container system has kept countless single-use plastics out of landfills. Together, we’ve demonstrated the power of small, meaningful changes.
We also grew as a community! Your feedback helped us curate new products, and your stories have inspired us. Let’s carry this momentum forward into 2025! We wanted to talk this month about forming lasting habits when trying to be more sustainable. Whether you’re new to sustainable low waste living, or you’ve been changing habits for a time, forming lasting habits is something a lot of us struggle with. Being intentional with our habits and setting realistic goals is important to making them last.
Goal Setting for Sustainability in 2025
The new year is a perfect opportunity to set goals for greener living. A good way to form lasting habits is to start small but think big! Here are a few ideas (pick just one to start with):
Refill More, Waste Less: Commit to refilling one additional container each month. Small, consistent efforts add up over time.
Buy Local: Challenge yourself to support Canadian businesses, keeping money within the community and reducing the environmental cost of imported goods.
Switch One Item: Replace one single-use product with a reusable or compostable alternative—for example, swapping paper towels for cloth ones or investing in silicone baking mats.
We’ve mentioned in the past to pick one switch and stick with it until its habit and when something becomes passive then add in another swap or refillable and that’s a great place to start. It may seem slow but it makes a big difference in the long run.
Another way to help make habits last is journaling. Journaling your sustainable choices can help you stay motivated and recognize the difference you’re making.
A Guide to Sustainable Living
New to sustainable living? Welcome! Here’s a simple guide to ease into the lifestyle:
Start with the Basics: Invest in reusable essentials like a water bottle, coffee cup, tote bags, and produce bags.
Explore Refills: Bring your own containers to refill household essentials like soap, shampoo, and cleaning supplies at Lake & Forest Collective. It’s an easy way to reduce packaging waste.
Plan Meals Thoughtfully: Shopping with a meal plan minimizes food waste. Incorporate local, seasonal produce to support farmers in our area.
Practice the "One Less" Challenge: Each week or month, identify one disposable item you can do without, and find a sustainable alternative. These small steps lead to significant changes.
Sustainable living is a journey, and every action counts! But remember, don’t make all these changes at once, pick one to focus on at a time.
A Deep Dive into Habits
Building sustainable habits doesn’t have to be daunting. Here are a few more tips to make changes stick:
Start Small: I know, I know, I’ve already mentioned this like six times but it’s so important! Focus on one habit at a time. It’s easier to adopt change when it feels manageable.
Pair with Existing Habits: Attach your new habit to something you already do. For example, keep your reusable bags with your car keys so they’re always ready.
Track Your Progress: Use a habit tracker or journal to mark each day you complete a sustainable action. Visual progress keeps you motivated.
Celebrate Wins: Reward yourself for milestones. Reached one month of composting? Treat yourself to a plant or an eco-friendly gift.
Embrace Imperfection: Progress over perfection! It’s better to make small changes consistently than to aim for unattainable ideals.
2025 is a year full of possibilities for greener, more mindful living. At Lake & Forest Collective, we’re excited to support you every step of the way. Let’s build sustainable habits, support local makers, and create a thriving community that cares for our planet and each other. Cheers to a fresh start and new beginnings! Visit us in-store or online to explore eco-friendly products and resources to make your sustainable goals a reality.