8 Sustainability Tips and Tricks Anyone Can Do
8 sustainability tips and tricks anyone can incorporate to create an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Looking to start living a more eco-friendly lifestyle, but not sure where to get started? It’s easy to get overwhelmed by all the different ways that you can reduce your environmental impact, which is why we always recommend that you take the journey step by step.
This way, you can create long-term habits you’ll stick to without putting too much on your plate and getting frustrated or overwhelmed.
These sustainability tips are some of our favorite ways to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Anyone can pick them up – they won’t break the bank and make a great investment. In fact, many of these will actually help you save money!
1. Hang-dry your laundry
A clothes dryer consumes anywhere between 2,000 and 6,000 watts of electricity every hour. Skip the dryer and hang-dry your clothing instead – it’s both cheaper and more eco-friendly, which is what makes it one of our favorite sustainability tips.
2. Think twice before you buy to avoid impulse shopping
Many of the items we buy are unnecessary impulse purchases that end up in the back of our junk drawer. That’s why it’s important to think twice about any purchase.
Brands such as fast fashion brands are experts at making us buy without thinking, don’t fall victim to this. One of the best ways to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle is to take a day to think the purchase over. If you still think you need the item 24 hours later, you can come back for it.
3. Shop second-hand whenever you can
Speaking of shopping, it’s also much more eco-friendly and affordable to shop second-hand whenever you can. With how many items get thrown away each day, there’s a large number of items in great condition that can be saved from the landfill if we all shop second-hand more often, as well as donating our unwanted items. If you have children you understand how quickly they grow, and as they grow how quickly fashions change. We saved a ton of money by shopping in second-hand stores and taking family members’ hand-me-downs.
From furniture, electronics, and clothing, check if you can find what you’re looking for at a second-hand shop or online store before buying new. There are many websites where people are selling their used items that may still be in great shape and suit your needs.
4. Use the natural light in your house
How much natural light you get in your home depends on where you live in the world, which direction your windows are facing, how large they are… However, using the natural light that you do get in your home strategically can help reduce your electric bill and carbon footprint.
If you want to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, let as much light in through the windows as possible. Don’t use blinds or curtains during the day unless you are blocking the hot summer sun, make sure your windows aren’t obstructed by any furniture and re-arrange your furniture so that the part of the room that gets the most light is the one you spend most of your time in!
5. Take the stairs instead of an elevator
Unless you need to use an elevator because of an injury or condition, take the stairs! This simple swap helps you take another step towards sustainable living and doubles as a quick workout to keep you in shape.
Remember – staying healthy is also an important part of an eco-friendly lifestyle!
6. Carpool with friends, family, or colleagues
You’ve probably heard before that in order to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, you should drive less. In fact, this is likely the most frequently repeated of all sustainability tips. However, it doesn’t take into account that some of us live in areas with poor public transport and have no other option.
In these cases, there’s still a way to substantially decrease your carbon footprint – carpooling with others who have the same journey as you.
7. Bring your own shopping and produce bags
When shopping, you can avoid a lot of plastic if you bring your own bags. We’re not just talking about shopping bags, but also small produce bags! If you need to use plastic produce bags consider reusing them the next time you go to the store. They are usually quite strong and durable and can withstand multiple uses.
It’s also a great way to be an example of sustainable living to others – anyone who sees you in the store with your own produce bags will likely think about whether they should use them as well.
8. Eat more plants
Meat and other animal products are amongst the biggest offenders when it comes to the carbon footprint, water use and land use of the food we eat. Try meatless Mondays, make some achievable goals regarding your meat consumption for yourself or simply be mindful of what you’re eating from meal to meal.
According to recent data, it is even more important to eat locally and seasonally!
Start with whichever of these sustainable living tips sound most achievable to you and you’ll quickly find yourself living a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
