The current environmental crisis leaves many wishing to live more sustainable lifestyles. But, at the same time, it can leave many feeling apathetic and helpless, as though there is nothing they can do to truly reach some unattainable green goals.
That’s where we come in! Reducing your carbon footprint and making a change isn’t an all-or-nothing process. Below are 6 simple ways you can alter your routine to better the planet, the future, and yourself.
Remember, sustainable living doesn’t necessarily mean dropping out of society to go live on a cabbage farm and wear a weird itchy poncho 365 days a year. Sustainable living could start with something as small as eating less meat or walking to work once a week.
Here’s How You Can Achieve Sustainable Living
What is sustainable living and why is it important? Check out our in-depth article to get the details.
Sustainable living is a lifestyle that attempts to reduce an individual’s or society’s use of the Earth’s natural resources in order to cause as little damage to the environment as possible. Here are some easy ways you can reduce your carbon footprint.
1) Ditch the plastic cutlery.
This one is a no brainer. Get yourself a solid pair of ‘to-go’ cutlery and tuck them in your purse or backpack for when you eat on the go. Those flimsy plastic knives can’t cut anything anyways. Who are you kidding with those?
2) Walk, bike, carpool, or take a ride on public transit.
Using your two feet and a heartbeat to get wherever you’re going cuts down on carbon emissions, curbs traffic, reduces our dependence on oil, and can help you save money on parking, gas, and gym memberships.
3) Shop in bulk, ditch the plastic bag, or find an unboxed grocer near you.
Shopping in bulk is a great way to save money on unnecessary packaging while cutting down on waste. It also allows you to buy as much or as little of something as you need (hey, no sampling!). Keep your eyes peeled for stores offering fill-your-own products of all varieties including common plastic offenders like laundry detergent, shampoo, and prepared meals. And if you do plan on going to your plain ol’ grocery store, bring your own reusable bags and forgo the plastic produce bags. Ask yourself if you really need a piece of plastic that you’re going to use for 8 minutes that will end up lasting 3000 years because you don’t want your cucumber to touch your eggs. Remember: less than 1% of plastic bags are recycled, meaning they end up in the ocean, meaning they end up in fish, meaning they end up in our food chain. Moving on…
4) Ease up on the meat!
Studies show that adopting a vegan diet is the single greatest way that an individual can mitigate their environmental impact. But for meat eaters, this isn’t all or nothing. Try meatless Mondays or cutting down on meat and dairy purchases. With the right sauces, spices and disguises, you might like it!
5) Carry your own travel mug or reusable water bottle.
Notice a theme here? Plastic pollution adversely affects wildlife and ecosystems, as well as humans. In fact, a 2018 study revealed plastic particles in the poop of every human tested. Gnarly. A quick walk down the beach or through the park will reveal some common culprits: disposable coffee cups, and plastic bottles. Next time you get your low fat, no foam, whipped, caramel whatever, bring your own cup. And rather than buying plastic water bottles, refill your reusable one with the clean, FREE, and delicious water our city provides. Evian backwards spells NAIVE!
6) No more plastic straws.
The no-straw movement is trending for a reason. Turtles and fish in the ocean don’t need straws to drink water. Cutting out the seemingly innocuous item may seem like a small feat on a micro level, but on a macro level, these non-essential, unrecyclable, hazardous tubes place up to 8.3 billion pieces of plastic in our oceans and shorelines. Good grief!
Listen folks, the world isn’t over yet, so let’s do what we can to keep our planet clean. Every little bit helps!