We don’t really need a lecture on sustainability. Being eco-friendly is basically in our DNA. Long before zero-waste and frugal living were trending, people in Russia excelled at making the most out of what they have.
Some habits came from necessity, some from common sense. Whatever their origin, they stuck and became an essential part of everyday life.
Buying a jar? Not on my shift
Credot: Rob Sheahan https://unsplash.com/@robsphotos
Back in the USSR, it was common for empty glass bottles to be returned for money. Sadly, that is not the case anymore, but the habit of keeping glass jars stayed. Or maybe Russians are just naturally sustainable.
Either way, throwing away a perfectly good glass container feels wrong.
After all, you never know when you’re going to need one – to make some pickles or for storage. That’s why cupboards in many local homes are filled with clean jars and bottles, waiting for their moment to shine again.
Walking on eggshells
Why buy fertilizers if you can reuse food scraps? Local gardening is all about the DIY mindset and making the most of what you already have.
A few practical hacks:
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Plastic bottles and containers for рассада (rassada – seedlings), or to shield newly planted sprouts from wind;
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Old car tires repurposed as flower beds;
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Eggshells and coal ashes to enrich soil and reduce its acidity;
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Milk cartons turned into bird feeders;
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Barrels and old baths (!) reused for water storage in your garden;
They say the average time a plastic bottle is used for is under 15 minutes. But not in Russia.
Matryoshka made of plastic bags
“Don’t use this plastic bag, it’s too nice!” As weird as this sounds, it’s a phrase every Russian has heard (from their mom, probably).
Not only does every self-respecting household have a plastic bag filled with… other plastic bags, there’s also a strict hierarchy. Some bags are fine to be reused for daily tasks like taking out the trash. Others are too nice for that, so they patiently wait to fulfill their mission – like carrying a birthday gift.
Full of hidden gems
When you save so many things, you need a place to store them. If you’re lucky, you’ll have a сарай (saray – a shed), кладовка (kladovka – a pantry), or подвал (podval – a basement).
These rooms are often quite chaotic, but once the day comes when you need that specific 0.3 liter jar to store some jam, it’s probably there. Somewhere.
Discover more practical tips with our guide to indoor gardening or explore local fauna in St. Pete’s many gardens.
