Let’s be real—living sustainably can feel like an uphill battle when the people around you aren’t exactly on the same page. If you’ve ever found yourself swapping out the plastic wrap in the fridge (again) or sighing as someone reaches for a plastic water bottle despite the filtered fridge water… you’re not alone.
But here’s the thing: living with non-eco people doesn’t mean your efforts don’t matter. In fact, it’s often the small, consistent changes that eventually influence those around us—and I’ve seen it firsthand.
You Can’t Control Everything—But You Can Influence
It’s easy to get discouraged when you’re the only one in the house fighting the good fight for the planet. The truth is: you can't force someone to change. What you can do is set an example, make swaps accessible, and sprinkle in some gentle nudges.
Let’s talk real life…
The Floss Victory 🦷
This was one of the easiest wins. Swapping to plastic-free, compostable floss was low effort and surprisingly well received. Small, non-intrusive changes like this can build momentum—and confidence—in people who aren’t quite ready to overhaul their habits.
Reusable Bags: The “Almost There” Swap
Getting people to remember reusable bags is an entirely different battle. The bags are in the house and in the car... sometimes. Is it perfect? No. But the thought is there. And honestly, that’s huge. Change takes time—and brain space.
✨ Tip: Keep reusable bags in multiple places—by the front door, in your purse, in the glove box. The more visible, the better.
Read Blog: Zero Waste Car Kit
The Token Recycler ♻️
If you’re anything like me, you’ve probably become the “token recycle washer” in the house—the one rinsing jars, peeling off labels, and fishing cans out of the trash (again) just to toss them in the right bin. Or maybe you’re the person rescuing banana peels and coffee grounds from the garbage so they make it to the compost instead. It can feel like a never-ending solo mission, but here’s the good news: over time, people start to notice. Slowly but surely, I’ve caught my family rinsing things themselves or asking, “Does this go in the compost?” They may not be perfect, but those little shifts show that the effort is rubbing off.
Vegan Wax Wraps… Kinda
They know it exists. They’ve used it. But every now and then, the dreaded plastic wrap creeps back into the fridge like a clingy ex. It’s frustrating, yes—but the presence of wax food wraps in the rotation is still a sign of progress. Awareness is growing, and that’s the first step to change.
The Water Bottle Wars 🚰
Once upon a time, our home had a parade of plastic water bottles. But since getting a fridge with a built-in water filter, the tides have turned—somewhat. There are still habits lingering (the ol’ “just grab a water bottle” reflex), but I’ve seen more and more family members opt for the filtered fridge water.
My little trick? When someone asks me for water, I hand them a glass of water with a mason jar lid and straw. Do they roll their eyes sometimes? Yes. Do they end up enjoying it anyway? Also yes.
A Win at the Airport ✈️
While we’re on the water bottle topic—getting them to actually carry their reusable bottle has been a half-success. But last time I dropped them off at the airport? They each had their reusable water bottles in hand to refill. A proud day! They’re also using them more on regular days, too. Not always, but enough to show the habit is slowly forming.
Celebrate the Small Wins
It’s not about getting everyone on board overnight. It’s about celebrating the steps—however small—that move us closer to a more mindful, sustainable household. Whether it’s one less plastic bottle, one more compostable floss spool, remembering the bags half the time, or a family member finally rinsing that jar before recycling it, it’s all part of the journey.
So if you’re living with non-eco people, just remember:
You’re planting seeds. And with patience, persistence, and maybe a few more mason jars, some of them will grow 🌱
