“I feel more confident than ever that the power to save the planet rests with the individual consumer.” Denis Hayes
The speculation of going green has run rife for a very long time now. However, what abounds is the conjectured cost of doing so. It is commonly believed that taking to a greener, more environmentally friendly lifestyle comes at an astronomical price and by means of this blog post, I aim at refuting this sordid claim.
Being frugal and thrifty myself, I have faced this dilemma first hand but after due deliberation, I realised that going green is not the same as spending an inordinate amount of money on better, more sustainable alternatives, it is rather about careful spending on needful consumption. However, it should be noted that while going green on a budget is essentially the same as prudent consumption, one cannot always escape the responsibility of doing the former.
Up until a few months ago, my father used to get groceries from the local market in polythene bags. A weekly routine as it was, there were hoards of plastic bags lying around in our house – most of which went into the garbage dump straight. This went on for a very long time until one day, when the local market vendors refused to give fruits and vegetables in plastic bags and offered paper bags instead. It was a great cause of inconvenience as the paper bags were too flimsy to carry the weight of the groceries. An opportunity in disguise as it was, I got cloth bags stitched for a paltry amount and not only did they provide ample support to the perishables, they were also environment-friendly and sustainable. 
The narrative also goes on to encourage the timely adoption of a sustainable lifestyle. We do not necessarily have to wait for a point of no return for the espousal of greener habits, the sooner the better.
Talk about plastic straws, water bottles, cutlery et cetera. Investing in glass bottles, steel cutlery, and metal/bamboo straws is a one time expense that reaps benefits for a long time. Not only does it generate less waste, but it also keeps our budgets from toppling over. Foam plates and plastic cutlery are a common sight these days and in a bid to get rid of the menace, I took to employing steel/ glass cutlery for all family functions, big and small.
In addition to the reduction in plastic waste, it also proved to be a cost-effective alternative. I carry my own glass bottles and/or mason jars to office, outings, parties et cetera and as bizarre as it may sound and look, it still is a tangible move towards reducing my carbon footprint and also saving those few extra bucks spent on buying plastic water bottles.
Using paper towel produces horrific amounts of waste. Having used them in the past, I can testify that they are grossly expensive and also add to wasteful consumption. Instead, washable rags or old cotton clothes can be put to use as more environment-friendly alternatives.
Buying second hand is yet another useful method for reducing consumer footprint and also keeps us from having to squander a fortune on everyday essentials like books, clothes, furniture, electronics, et cetera. Using hand me downs and not spending on things that we do not absolutely need, will make us more mindful of our spending habits.
These are just a few tricks and we all know of the vast expanse of the magician’s hat. There is no stopping anytime soon, after all, that is better than to be environmentally friendly whilst still being cost-effective.
Coming back to the quandary of sustainability at an enormous cost and cut to whoever said that going green is heavy on one’s pocket. As I substantiated in this post, it all boils down to making judicious choices of whether or not to spend at all, for green purchase is fundamentally no purchase at all. Now that is one decision that will not wreak havoc on our finances and help us build a more sustainable lifestyle.
About The Author:
Lakshita Arora is a fresh Business Economics graduate from Gargi College, University of Delhi and is currently serving as a Risk Analyst at Deloitte. An avid reader and an accidental writer, she resigns to the Kafka-esque realm to detox. Urdu poetry, Theatre and Economics pique her interest and hold her imagination captive. Empathy is both her greatest friend and her deadliest foe. A peace-maker in the making, she wishes to create visible impact.