Submitted by Molly Harrison
I never set out to take drastic climate action. I’ve always tried to be good about using reusable bags and recycling, but more because I didn’t want to buy yet another store-branded cloth bag, and I get a return for my bottles. Over time, I found myself wondering: What other climate actions are saving me money without me even realizing it?
Here are a few ways my sustainability efforts have helped my bottom line.
1. Hang Drying Laundry
I live in an apartment where I have to pay for laundry. The first time I used the building dryer, it failed to completely dry anything, and I found myself imagining paying for the dryer twice every time I did a load. At $1.25 per cycle, this seemed like a bad deal. So, I made the switch to air drying my clothes instead.
By using a drying rack instead of a machine, I save the cost of two dryer cycles per week. That’s $130 in annual savings, and I’m not even factoring in the reduced wear and tear on my clothes, which extends their life and keeps me from having to replace them as often. This small action has a big impact on both my carbon footprint and budget.
2. Public Transit
In my city, Kelowna, BC, a monthly adult transit pass costs $70. By contrast, BC has the highest car insurance in Canada, with an average monthly insurance cost of around $152—totalling $1,824 a year for insurance alone. Add in the cost of routine maintenance like oil changes (about $325 annually), and the one-time expense of winter tires ($800 to $1,000 depending on the vehicle), and that’s already over $3,000 a year. I haven’t even mentioned gas!
When you add up all these costs, it’s clear that a $70 monthly bus pass ($840 annually) is a bargain. I can use that extra $2,185 for the odd cab when needed, more books, or any unexpected expenses.
Even if public transit isn’t perfect, at that price difference, it’s hard to justify driving. For me, taking transit is a practical way to reduce emissions while keeping my budget in check.
3. Shopping Second-Hand: Sustainable Style on a Budget
There’s a lot of attention on how fast-fashion is harming the planet—and it’s true. According to an article from earth.org, the fashion industry’s carbon emissions are equivalent to those of the entire European Union. From water use to plastic pollution, it’s a heavy drain on resources. But the solution can be simple: shop second-hand and donate items in turn.
Not only is thrifting good for the environment, but it’s also a huge money-saver. My recent finds are perfect examples. I bought a sleeveless sweater vest for $3 at a local thrift store. The tag said Reitmans, so I looked it up—on sale, it’s currently priced at $49.99, down from $66.59. By choosing second-hand, I saved a solid $63 on one item alone.
Another recent score was an ottoman priced at $3.00, which I got for half-price, at $1.50. It has a few dings, but it suits my needs, and I’d have paid far more for something new.
Shopping at thrift stores allows me to dress well and furnish my home for a fraction of the cost. And because I’m not adding to the demand for new products, I’m helping reduce the environmental impact of fashion waste.
These are just a few ways climate-friendly choices are saving me money every day. Whether it’s hang-drying clothes, choosing public transit, or shopping second-hand, these actions all contribute to a healthier planet and a healthier budget.
Interested in learning more about changes you can make that will save you money? New Society Publishers offers a multitude of options to read about climate change, and for the rest of October, climate change books are 30% off!
Be sure to follow us on social media to take advantage of giveaways and stay up to date with all the latest climate books.