Sustainable living is all about reducing the carbon footprint that is often left behind through energy consumption, transportation, construction, and even diet. Most people are intrigued by the concept of sustainable living and want it to work for them but don’t know where to start and how to apply it.
What is Sustainable Living?
Sustainable living is a kind of lifestyle that is all about reducing your demand for natural resources and changing how you do things by replacing what you use to the best of your ability.
In simple words, if something we are using can’t be reused, reduced, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, recycled, composted, or resold, it is not good for the environment. It means it should be either restricted or removed from your life.
Well! Sustainable living might not be that simple due to our increasing dependency on all the resources but it’s not impossible. There are many ways to implement it within your life as well as in the neighborhoods.
Here we’ve listed 10 tips to make it work for you and do something good for the Earth…
1. Practice Minimalism
Well, when we say minimalist lifestyle, it doesn’t mean living without anything. It means that you are only investing in the most useful things and put them to their maximum purpose. You can either choose to stick to the basics or consider stuff that you can recycle more. Be mindful while choosing anything for your home.For instance, choosing a stainless steel water bottle that is durable and would last you a few years is a better choice than a fancy plastic water bottle that will last only a few months!
2. Grow a Garden or Become a Member of a Community Garden
If you can grow a garden, it is well enough but if not, you always have the option to join a community garden. It is one of the best things you can do for sustainable living, growing fruits and vegetables naturally. It not only create green spaces but also helps in offsetting carbon emissions.
3. Invest in Eco-Friendly Technology
Technology has become an important part of our lives but by choosing eco-friendly products we can contribute to the good health of our Mother Earth. Make sure whatever tech you choose is as energy-efficient as possible as this way you will be using less energy, reducing your energy output, and saving money.
4. Use Public Transport as Much as Possible
If you have an option to travel by public transport, it is good to do so to reduce the emission of harmful gases. If you do have time and also your destination is close to home, take a bus or train or the boat. Public transportation also allows you to explore more, meet new people, and enjoy the views.
5. Check Labels and Certifications
One of the easiest ways to practice sustainable living is by being mindful of what you are using in your daily life. There are many different types of certifications to choose between and using products that have a limited effect on the environment is the best way to make sure you are receding impact on the planet.
6. Reuse and Repurpose
It is best to bring home a product that you can reuse or repurpose as this is the best way to reduce wastage. There are several ways to achieve this such as buying second-hand items from thrift stores, giving items a second life by recycling, donating unwanted items to charitable organizations, use a reusable water bottle or insulated water bottle.
7. Conserve Energy and Water at Home
There are lots of easy ways to live a sustainable life and using resources carefully is one of them. Switching to renewable energy is a great first step and several suppliers offer 100% renewable electricity. Next, use water carefully and for this, you can collect rainwater, install a water-saving showerhead, and more.
8. Eat More Plants and Less Meat
A vegan diet reduces carbon dioxide emission and that’s why you need to be careful with what you are consuming. Cutting down on the amount of meat you eat can bring a big difference by receding your carbon footprint. Also, you can easily grow your favorite vegetables in your kitchen garden and eat fresh.
9. Go Plastic Free
One of the easiest ways to start sustainable living is by reducing the use of plastic. Plastic never goes away and stays in the landfills or water bodies for hundreds of years causing the problem to marine mammals. You can start using organic or jute bags, ditch single-use water bottles, use a stainless steel water bottle or thermos bottle, use stainless steel casseroles instead of plastic hot cases at home, shop local, and more.
10. Boycott Products that Endanger Wildlife
Say no to products made from animals or those that are threatening their habitat. Many products are produced by cutting down old-growth forests and you can avoid contributing to this phenomenon by boycotting such products. Look for alternatives such as bamboo and use products that have done no harm to animals.
Some more tips you may consider…
- Put an extra layer of clothing instead of using heating.
- Open up your blinds and let the natural light come in.
- Turn off lights when you leave a room.
- Use a drying line instead of using a powered dryer.
- Hand wash your clothes.
- Grow your herbs, fruits, and vegetables.
- Turn off devices at night.
- Invest in organic toiletries and cosmetics.
Sustainable living is not difficult and the best way is to start small like from your daily activities and consumption. Using reusable products like a flask or flask bottle instead of a disposable plastic bottle, using a reusable shopping bag instead of a plastic bag, etc can make a big difference.
Every day we make choices in our lives and these choices can have a big impact on the environment. Being a little mindful of what we choose can reduce our environmental footprint and leave more room for plants and wild animals.
You may already be doing a few of these things but hopefully, you will pick up some opportunities to contribute towards the good health of our mother nature.
Sustainable living isn’t that difficult, just a little change in your life…