At Wanderlust, we’re fortunate enough to spend lots of time in the High Desert wilderness—we keep ourselves busy exploring wild caves, trekking out into old-growth forests, paddling the pristine waters of the Cascade Lakes, and more! This affords us a deep appreciation of the wild places of our world and provides a daily connection to our local landscape and our animal neighbors.

Since we’re lucky enough to see this natural beauty every day, all the more reason for us to advocate for its protection. We’re not suggesting giving up your car or going vegan because although those are excellent ways to minimize your footprint on the planet, we know those are not feasible options for most people. Luckily, there are a lot of little ways to reduce your consumption levels. Even better—there are lots of local companies that can help!

DITCH SINGLE-USE PLASTIC

This is seriously the easiest, most effective way to immediately decrease your waste! Plastic bags, water bottles, take-away coffee cups, and even straws are all huge contributors to the growing piles of non-compostable trash on the planet! So, remember your tote bags when you go to the grocery store, and get yourself a cool travel mug to use for coffee.

Silipint makes really cool, BPA-free silicone pint glasses that can be used for hot or cold beverages. Each cup is made of silicone, which is an environmentally-friendly, non-toxic, sustainable substance. You can even customize them with really cool images or text!

BUY LOCAL

Yes, we’ve heard this mantra before, but it’s true: buying local is a great choice for reducing the impact on the planet! Sure, it’s easier to order something online, but imagine how many total miles that item had to travel to reach you. The environmental toll of ordering a roll of paper towels from Amazon is definitely not worth it.

Luckily, places like Central Oregon Locavore work directly with local farmers to bring you excellent, nourishing food that hasn’t had to travel very far. They have tons of locally-made goodies: bulk snacks, gifts, and fresh, organic fruits and veggies!

HAVING AN EVENT? MAKE IT GREEN!

We know how much planning it takes to host a big event, like a wedding—corralling all your favorite people in one corner of the world, making sure they all get enough to eat, drink, providing fantastic music for everyone from Great Aunt Millie to your Frozen-obsessed niece… it’s amazing that weddings happen at all! (Speaking of which—do you need help with your wedding events? Check out our Wedding Page!)

Probably the last thing on your mind when planning a big event is the garbage, but there it is at the end of the day. If you don’t have a way of disposing of it, it will end up sitting in a landfill, potentially for decades! That’s where The Broomsmen come in: they can help make sure your garbage is sorted appropriately so that yours is a Zero Waste event.

IF IT’S BROKE—FIX IT!

Did your toaster break? How about that electric fan? Obviously, it’s easier to just buy a new one, but why not bring it to a repairperson instead? Or better yet—learn to fix it yourself!

Knowing how to fix your own household items is incredibly empowering. Organizations like The Environmental Center are a real help in this department. Check out their site for upcoming events, including the Repair Café!