Jessica from Coco/Mingo on Sustainability

Sustainability - Every bit counts

Happy Monday everybody! Did you have a good and relaxing weekend? I worked for the last time at my old job (which I’m quite relieved about I must admit – it’s time to move on), celebrated my flatmates birthday with pizza, wine and friends and did a whole lot of relaxing. The perfect mix in my opinion.

Here on the blog, the week starts perfect as well, since the lovely Jessica from Coco/Mingo has created a guest post for Hanna’s Places! I’ve been following her blog for a while and it has slowly become one of my favourites to read, with personal stories and beautiful mood boards. You should definitely head on over and take a look.

Greetings all of Hanna’s Places readers! I’m Jessica from over at Coco and Mingo. One of the many things that attracted me to Hanna’s blog was her love for sustainability and environmental issues. I’m also a huge fan of our planet Earth and do my best to be as sustainable and eco-friendly as I can. One of the main reasons why I became a vegetarian almost 10 years ago (besides the fact that I love animals too much) is that I learned how harmful to the meat industry impacts the environment!

Every action has a reaction and we don’t know how we are negatively impacting our environment until many years down the line so I’ve put together some small ways in which you can help the environment in your own little way. Every bit counts, friends!!

1 // REUSE AND RECYCLE

So easy! You’d be amazed at what things can be born from recycled products. And those things you can’t recycle? Reuse it and DIY something amazing with it!

2 // REDUCE

Help reduce waste by avoiding paper plates, utensils, and other things you know you’ll end up chucking. Reduce also means turning off those lights when you don’t need them, and making sure those leaky faucets are fixed.

3 // COMPOST PILE

One of the most basic things you can do to make your yard more sustainable! My family has a beautiful garden with vegetables and my brother just started a compost pile. He adds coffee grinds, veggie and food scraps, and other things to it and it makes the soil so rich. Believe me, adding coffee grinds make your plants, fruits and veggies grow amazingly!

4 // USE NATURAL AND ORGANIC CLEANERS AND PRODUCTS

When I made the switch over to natural and organic home products, I couldn’t believe how amazing they were! I use Seventh Generation bathroom and home cleaners and they work unbelievably better than chemical filled cleaners like Scrubbing Bubbles and Clorox – not to mention, so gentle on my sensitive hands!! I’m also a huge fan of Mrs. Meyers for hand and dish soap, and laundry detergent – I love it!

5 // SHOP WISELY

Choose environmental-friendly whenever possible! This includes recycled and biodegradable products, energy-efficient light bulbs and appliances, solar products for the home, rechargeable batteries, and earth-friendly textiles. Remember, many energy-efficient products and appliances will save you money over the long-run even if they may be more expensive now.

Board, left to right . 1 . 2 . 3 . 4 . 5 . 6

Thank you so much, Jessica!

21 Comments

  • juni
    October 21, 2013

     

    love this post! coco and mingo is one of my favorite blogs as well :) these are great tips.

    • hanna
      October 22, 2013

       

      I thought so, too! Great basics to always remember :)

  • danielle
    October 22, 2013

     

    Great things to keep in mind! Definitely need a reminder :)

    Love Jess and her blog :)

    • hanna
      October 22, 2013

       

      Yes, it’s the perfect ‘to-do list’ to always keep in mind.

  • Jessica (Coco/Mingo)
    October 22, 2013

     

    Thanks so much for having me, Hanna!!!

    • hanna
      October 22, 2013

       

      Thanks for your great post! I love your blog and I’m truly happy that you agreed to write a guest post :)

  • Helena
    October 22, 2013

     

    Love this post! It’s always encouraging knowing others living a sustainable life, and hearing about how they do it.

    • hanna
      October 22, 2013

       

      I agree! Getting a few easy tips for your own life is always inspiring.

  • Kristyn @ Milk + Crown
    October 22, 2013

     

    Great post, Jessica! Love the mood board, and your tips are simple and awesome :)

  • Jane Y.
    October 22, 2013

     

    great tips jessica! i love seventh generation products as well. and so right on about reducing waste!

    • hanna
      October 22, 2013

       

      I will definitely have to try seventh generation products. Actually never heard of them before!

  • Corina Nika
    October 22, 2013

     

    Such a wonderful post as usually my dear Jess!! I love everything organic, recycling. this was wonderful to read

  • Ali Mackin
    October 22, 2013

     

    I know I am totally familiar with her blog. I love it! And these are great and practical tips.

    Ali of Dressing Ken

    • hanna
      October 22, 2013

       

      You’re right and I love her blog as well!

  • Akshara Vivekananthan
    October 22, 2013

     

    These are such great tips! I’ve always wanted to start a garden of my own, and see if I could develop a working green thumb. A compost pile is such a genius idea and one I’ve been afraid to try. I just need to dive in- I had no idea coffee grinds could be used! How interesting! Great post Jessica!

    • hanna
      October 22, 2013

       

      You’re right! I don’t have space for my own garden here in the city, but I started with some herbs on my window-sill, which is still nice and fresh. I’d live my own garden (with compost;) ine day though!

  • Victoria | Oh So Pretty
    October 23, 2013

     

    Oh Jess and I are the same person forreals. We add coffee to our plants too, and yes it does wonders! I also am very particular with my cleansers – that goes from house cleansers to shower gel, toothpaste, and hand soap – I like to use natural products without harsh chemicals (especially parabens!) and still gets the work done!

    Love this post and of course the graphic is gorgeous ;) xoxo

  • Nikkol | Peter Loves Jane.com
    October 23, 2013

     

    Such a gorgeous board! Absolutely love the Field Guide book.

  • Court | love court xoxo
    October 25, 2013

     

    Mrs. Meyers products are the best! Though they can be a little pricer than others, they last longer + smell better than any other product I have found. I can’t suggest them enough. I have been forgetting to add my coffee grounds to my houseplants lately, thanks for the reminder!

  • Latrina
    October 27, 2013

     

    You and I are one in the same, my sweet Jessica! I loved this post and couldn’t agree with you more! Over the past couple of years, I have noticed such a HUGE change in the way I shop and even eat. I have cut back so much on many harmful products.. and I feel so relieved and good knowing that!

    • hanna
      October 28, 2013

       

      That’s so good to read! Only small and little changes can make a real big change!


Meet Hanna
Hanna's Places - a green lifestyle blog

Hanna’s Places is a green lifestyle magazine written by Hanna Ulatowski. It’s all about slowing down in a fast-paced society and finding ways to live a more sustainable, simple lifestyle.

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