Did you know that the average American produces about 4.9 pounds of waste every single day? That’s nearly 1,800 pounds per year!
Just stop and think about that.
Then, you will realize that sustainable living is a necessity as we face increasing environmental challenges.
If you’re a beginner to this eco-friendly lifestyle, this comprehensive sustainable living guide will provide you with practical steps that you can start implementing today.
One of the benefits of choosing this lifestyle is that it benefits both you and the planet, so it’s a win-win!
What Is Sustainable Living?
So let’s start with a simple definition so we can be on the same page. It’s pointless to talk about sustainable living if we don’t know what it is.
Sustainable living refers to making choices that benefit the Earth, the present generation and the future generation.
In other words we want to make sure that our everyday actions do little or no harm to the planet. And we want to ensure that future generations will have a healthy environment and sufficient resources to meet their daily needs.
We all depend on Earth’s resources for our daily sustenance. You and I need air, water, soil etc. We all benefit from this planet so we all need to keep it clean and use the resources wisely.
Sustainable living is not a lifestyle just for hippies or wealthy people who can afford advanced technologies. It’s a lifestyle for all of us and it starts with making wise choices in our day-to-day life.
This is one thing I want you to remember from this blog post, you don’t have to be perfect. If everyone makes small changes, they will eventually add up to make a big impact.
Why is Sustainable Living Important?
So now you may be wondering why sustainable living is important. Let me give you a few reasons.
1) Sustainable living protects the environment
One of the main reasons an eco-friendly lifestyle is crucial is because it protects the environment. It helps to reduce pollution and preserve ecosystems and biodiversity.
2) It can help to improve public health
Think about what would happen if our daily actions resulted in less pollutants. We would be exposed to less pollutants and have cleaner air and water and an overall healthier lifestyle.
3) It conserves resources
If we make eco-conscious decisions, it is highly likely that we will use our natural resources more efficiently and effectively. And this will help to ensure that future generations have sufficient resources to meet their daily needs. They will also enjoy a healthy environment.
4) It can provide economic benefits
If more people gravitate towards this lifestyle, it will encourage the creation and innovation of green industries, which can create new jobs.
5) It may save you money
There are some sustainable practices that can result in less spending. For example, if you buy in bulk, it’s likely that you will pay less. If you implement measures to save energy and water, it’s likely that you will pay less for utility bills. And you can repurpose and recycle items at home which would eliminate the need to buy new ones.
Like Robert Swan said, the greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it.
Ways To Be Sustainable In Everyday Life
Here are some areas that you should consider as you start this journey. Read through the list and identify the ones that resonate with you the most. Then, you can choose just one area and start implementing it this week.
1) Do an Audit
A great way to start this sustainable living lifestyle is to get an idea of what your current habits are like. Take some time to do the following.
- Track how much waste you produce for a week.
- Count how many single-use items you use in a week.
- Make a list of everything you buy for a week and check to see what could have been reduced or eliminated.
2) Choose Sustainable Eating Habits
Sustainable eating practices can help to conserve resources, support local economies, promote better health and ensure that there is long-term food security for future generations.
Here are some practices that you can incorporate into your life.
Eat Sustainably
- Buy locally grown produce to support local farmers and reduce transportation emissions.
- Eat more plant-based foods to reduce the environmental impact of animal farming.
- Cook simple meals at home, which will reduce the need for takeout and the amount of packaging waste sent to landfills.
- Choose whole foods instead of packaged, processed food to reduce waste.
Shop Smart and Waste Less
- Make a meal plan and use that to create a grocery list so that you buy only what you need.
- Buy in bulk and use reusable containers where possible. This could be grains, nuts, or even cleaning products.
- Store fresh fruits and vegetables properly so that they last longer.
- Bring your own container for restaurant leftovers to reduce plastic/Styrofoam waste.
- Use leftovers to make a new meal instead of throwing them into the bin.
Grow and Compost at Home
- Start a fruit/vegetable/herb garden at home.
- Start a compost heap for organic waste so that less waste goes to landfills.
3) Minimize Waste and Use Eco-friendly Products
Choosing eco-friendly products helps to minimize waste, reduce pollution, promote sustainable manufacturing and reduce toxic chemicals in the environment.
Here are some ways you can minimize waste and support the use of eco-friendly products.
Switch to Natural and Eco-Friendly Products
- You can switch to natural or biodegradable cleaning products that are free from harmful chemicals.
- Use skincare, cosmetics and toiletries that are made from natural ingredients.
- Choose non-toxic, low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paints and finishes to reduce harmful chemicals in the environment.
Reduce Plastic Use
- Incorporate reusable bottles, bags and containers into your daily life instead of single-use items.
- Replace personal items made from plastic with bamboo alternatives. This could be your toothbrush or straw. This will reduce plastic waste.
- Switching to bar soap eliminates the need for plastic body wash bottles.
Reuse and Repurpose
- Use microfiber cloths to replace paper towels for most cleaning tasks.
- Repurpose and upcycle old items into useful products instead of discarding them.
4) Incorporate Sustainable Home Practices
These practices will help to reduce energy consumption, lower your utility bills and conserve natural resources. They can also help you to have a healthier home environment.
Here are some ways to incorporate sustainable home practices into your day-to-day life.
Improve Home Energy Efficiency
- Invest in energy-efficient appliances to reduce energy consumption. This may also save you money in the long term.
- Wash a full load of clothes in the washing machine to save energy and money.
- Seal windows and doors properly for better energy usage, especially if you have an AC or heater.
- Replace your incandescent bulbs with LED bulb, which tend to be more energy-efficient.
- Use Smart power strips to automatically cut power to devices in standby mode.
- Use a microwave or toaster oven for small meals instead of a conventional oven.
- If you can afford to, insulate your walls for energy efficiency by reducing your heating/cooling needs.
Use Water Wisely
- Install low-flow showerheads, faucets and water-efficient toilets.
- Fix leaky faucets as soon as possible.
Adopt Renewable and Natural Solutions
- If you live in a tropical climate, use natural ventilation for cooling instead of an AC.
- If you can afford to, invest in solar panels to power your home and reduce your reliance on fossil fuels.
Reduce Waste and Consumption
- Borrow or rent tools instead of buying them if you hardly use them.
- Start a garden and use composting to enrich the soil.
5) Make Sustainable Transportation Choices
Green transportation choices are beneficial because they help to reduce greenhouse gases and traffic congestion. They can also improve air quality and contribute to a healthier environment.
Here are some ways you can make more sustainable transportation choices.
Use Alternative Transportation
- Take the bus, train or subway to reduce carbon emissions and decrease traffic congestion.
- You can also carpool or ride-share to lower costs and emissions.
- Walk or ride a bicycle if it is safe to do so. This way, you will get exercise and reduce emissions. It’s a win-win.
Drive Smart
- Drive a fuel-efficient vehicle to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and save on fuel costs. Another win-win.
- Combine multiple errands into one trip to save time, fuel, money and lower carbon emissions.
- Schedule regular car maintenance to improve fuel efficiency.
- Keep tires inflated to improve gas mileage.
Work Remotely
- If your workplace allows it, choose the option to work from home to reduce carbon emissions and transportation costs.
6) Raise Awareness
Finally, you want to encourage others to join you on this journey. There is strength in numbers. So share the changes that you are making with your friends and family.
You can also share it on social media. If you like, you can share this blog post via Facebook, WhatsApp, regular text etc.
Takeaway
I want you to remember that sustainable living is not about changing your entire lifestyle overnight. Take this journey one step at a time.
You can choose just one thing from this guide and start implementing it today. Then, you can gradually add more eco-friendly practices as you become more comfortable.
And encourage your friends and family to join you on this journey. As we collectively make better choices, we’ll contribute to a healthier planet for the present generation and the future one as well.
So take a minute and think about which sustainable practice you want to start incorporating in your day-to-day life.
And if you need a practical guide to get you started, scroll to the bottom of this page and grab the 21-Day Zero Waste Challenge Checklist!
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