My Eco-Friendly Routine: Slow but Steady Steps Towards a Greener Planet

Hey there! I'm Kim Jun-ho, the content manager for the Slow Recipe official blog. I want to show you that a sustainable lifestyle isn't some grand, difficult concept. Instead, it's about making small, everyday choices that we can all embrace. So today, I'm excited to share some of my perhaps quirky, but truly heartfelt, eco-friendly routines.

Korea has strict, nationwide recycling standards, with waste separation methods even mandated by law. The Waste Management Act meticulously outlines recyclable items and their disposal methods. In my household, we can throw out general waste daily, but recycling is only collected on specific days. So, I gather a week's worth of recyclables and, on Sunday evening, I engage in a "showdown" with our trash.

Honestly, it can feel a bit tedious sometimes. But once I get to the recycling station and neatly sort out the cardboard, plastic, cans, glass, and vinyl, it feels like a puzzle game where I'm finding all the right pieces. Some might just call it trash, but for me, this time is a secret mission with Mother Earth! When I think about how these small, repetitive habits ultimately contribute to a better environment, recycling truly becomes a meaningful practice.

It used to be second nature for me to use disposable paper cups at the office or when grabbing a coffee from a cafe. But now, I make a conscious effort to use my tumbler whenever possible. In fact, bringing it to work in my tumbler has become my routine. Of course, it's easy to think, "Just one disposable cup won't hurt," and anyone can feel that way. However, I truly believe that if more people reduce that "one cup," the world can gradually change. As someone who creates content for a brand like Slow Recipe, which champions sustainable living, I felt it was important to not just talk the talk, but also walk the walk. Using a tumbler is one of those actions, and now it feels like a natural and essential habit.

Fun fact: One study suggests you need to use a tumbler at least 50 times for its carbon footprint to be less than a disposable cup. That's why, when I first started, I called it my "50-Use Tumbler Challenge." Current progress? Well, I'd say I've probably used it 500 times by now! Every time I wash my empty tumbler, I have this thought: "Ah, I bothered the Earth just a little bit less today." Why not challenge yourselves to go beyond 50 uses and aim for 500?

There are some days when you just don't want to cook or do dishes, and on those days, takeout is truly a savior. I'm no different. When I want to eat at home but my fridge is empty, my hand instinctively reaches for a delivery app! It used to be normal to receive food in disposable plastic containers. But one day, after finishing my meal, I saw a mountain of plastic containers piled up, and a wave of guilt washed over me. "The food was delicious, but where does all this trash go...?"

Since then, I've tried to use reusable container delivery services whenever possible. Nowadays, surprisingly many brands offer reusable options, so it's become my routine to only order from restaurants marked "reusable container available" in the app. Of course, not every restaurant participates yet, so choices can be limited, but that feeling of not having to throw anything away after eating is truly fantastic. Plus, it's convenient—they pick up the containers for you when you request it, and the sense of accomplishment is a bonus.

On my way to work, my bag contains my laptop, my diary... and one more thing: my silicone snack container! Around 3 PM at the office, I usually start feeling hungry. I used to buy snacks from convenience stores or accumulate various individually packaged treats on my desk. But now, I have a routine of preparing snacks beforehand and packing them in a silicone container. Using a small silicone container for simple snacks like nuts, dried fruit, or crackers helps reduce packaging waste, which I love.

Sometimes a colleague next to me will ask, "Where did you get that? It's so cute!" And I'll proudly reply, "Oh, it's reusable, microwave-safe, and eco-friendly!" It's easy to clean, and the contents stay fresh, so I'm very satisfied. Of course, I don't use silicone containers for every single situation yet. Sometimes I use plastic bags if I'm in a hurry, or I might occasionally tear open a bag of chips. But the important thing isn't perfection; it's the intention to be mindful and consistently practice. When days like "Success! I used my silicone container today!" accumulate, someday silicone will become the obvious choice instead of plastic. Until then, I'll keep packing my snacks, washing my containers, smiling to myself at my colleague's "cute!" comment, and quietly spreading the word about my "eco-conscious office worker routine." Oh! One small drawback: it takes a little longer for them to dry after washing. Anyone out there who can improve that? I'm genuinely waiting!

On my way to or from work, I sometimes enjoy carton beverages like soy milk or juice. They offer a good sugar boost and, best of all, they're light and easy to carry. But after finishing them, is that it? Just throw them away? Lately, I've established a routine of "drink and return." The store where I usually buy carton drinks gives me loyalty points when I return the empty cartons! While returning one carton won't earn you a massive amount of points, simply participating in the store's resource circulation efforts feels quite meaningful and satisfying.

So, every week before my grocery trip, I practice the routine of collecting my empty cartons. The method is simple: neatly cut open the top of the carton, thoroughly rinse out any residue with water, and then dry it completely to prevent mold. I stack them neatly in a corner, and then on Friday evening, when I go grocery shopping, I take them all to return! Honestly, this whole process might seem bothersome. But when I practice with the thought, "This small action might someday have a big impact," the sense of accomplishment outweighs the inconvenience. And frankly... meticulously cutting, washing, drying, and carefully collecting these drink cartons feels a bit like a secret, satisfying mission for a guardian of the Earth.

Every Friday evening, I head out for groceries. I usually leave work a little early that day, and one item always appears on my mental checklist: my reusable shopping bag ! For some, a shopping bag might seem like a bulky nuisance, but for me, it's the beginning and end of my grocery mission. I used to always buy plastic bags at the supermarket, but at some point, a thought crossed my mind: "Where do all these plastic bags actually go?" After that, the habit of bringing my own shopping bag naturally formed. Now, I always keep a foldable shopping bag in my everyday bag, and on grocery days, I go all out with a sturdy cloth bag that has plenty of capacity. With just one reusable bag, I don't need plastic, I can comfortably carry heavy groceries, and I avoid using plastic bags!

Of course, if I ever forget my shopping bag, I sometimes hold an internal "strategy meeting" wondering, "How will I survive today without a plastic bag...?" That's how indispensable my shopping bag has become to me. It's a small habit, but this routine of bringing my own bag consistently helps reduce plastic waste and encourages me to think twice about my consumption.

By the weekend, leftover food and unused ingredients from the week often scatter throughout the fridge. I used to just cover them with plastic wrap on an open dish or loosely toss leftover vegetables into a plastic bag. As a result, they'd quickly develop odors or dry out, often ending up in the trash. It felt wasteful, and I'd also feel a sense of guilt for contributing to resource waste.

So, now every Saturday, I do a thorough fridge cleanup and make it a routine to store all leftover food and ingredients in vacuum-sealed containers. These containers are designed to remove air when you close the lid, keeping food much fresher for longer. To be honest, I initially hesitated because these containers can be a bit pricey and take up space. But now, thanks to this routine, I've reduced food waste, maintained peace within my fridge, and can even consider the environment—it's a win-win-win! Every Saturday, as I meticulously organize the leftovers, I think to myself, "Preventing perfectly good food from becoming waste is also a significant step towards a sustainable life."

Not every aspect of my life is perfectly filled with sustainable products and lifestyles. Sometimes I rush and use plastic, or I might be tempted by single-use items. But isn't it important to keep trying and not give up ? It's a journey of finding ways to love our planet, slowly but steadily. I'm taking one step at a time on that journey every day. I believe these routines, which some might consider small, will eventually become the power that brings about greater change. I hope you'll join me, each in your own way and at your own pace. Shall we make choices that bother the Earth a little less today? And if I get the chance, I'll introduce you to the unique eco-friendly routines and lifestyles of my team members. Please look forward to hearing how they practice sustainable living in their diverse daily lives!

HULOCK : Vacuum-Sealed Container

Renuers : Tumblur

MOMUR WEEKEND : Reusable shopping bag