“Each one of us matters, has a role to play, and makes a difference. Each one of us must take responsibility for our own lives, and above all, show respect and love for living things around us, especially each other.” -Jane Goodall.
Imagine a world where city trash bins weren’t overflowing with plastic bottles, oceans were pristine, and your home life itself was cleaner. One step at a time, we can make it happen. That’s where sustainable living comes into play. Adopting a more sustainable lifestyle is one of the best things you can do for yourself and the planet. This lifestyle is essential for us and our planet’s survival, but there are some dos and don’ts to know before transitioning to sustainable living.
Note: Some of the links below contain affiliate links. This doesn’t increase the cost of any item to you, but simply means that I’ll receive a small commission of any sales from those links. Thank you!
What is sustainable living?
Sustainable living describes a lifestyle that strives to reduce the impact of human life on the planet. It seeks to reduce our environmental impact by lowering our carbon footprint while switching to a lifestyle that has little impact on the environment. Countries, cities, and people alike can strive towards adopting a sustainable way of living.
Sustainable Living Dos and Don’ts
Jumping into a new lifestyle can be very exciting! However, before you transition to sustainable living, here’s what you should know.
Do: Use reusable shopping bags
If you’re going to transition to sustainable living, start here. It takes about 450 years for a plastic bag to biodegrade, meaning every single plastic bag on the planet still exists… unless burned. Disturbing, right?
Luckily, there’s alternatives to the plastic bags. Something we used once before: paper bags! But that’s a last minute resort when you don’t have your handy reusable bag with you. These can be canvas tote bags or recycled PET reusable bags. I would always recommend canvas bags over reusable plastic bags because it has a lower impact and doesn’t use plastic (obviously!)
Here are the advantages and disadvantages of different types of reusable shopping bags.
Shop for reusable bags:
Pro tip: Keep a reusable bag in your car or folded up in your handbag so you’re never without one. And if you do find yourself without one, opt for a paper bag over plastic. Most grocery stores carry paper bags even if they’re not on display. Just ask an attendant for one.
Do: Purchase low impact & natural beauty products
Another important aspect of sustainable living is purchasing low impact and natural beauty products. This is for several reasons.
Here’s why. Natural and organic products are much better for the environment. Products with chemicals can have a very damaging impact on the environment. Plus, sprays and perfumes that are released into the atmosphere can be very harmful along with the manufacturing process in order to make them.
Beyond just the environment, smearing chemicals all over your armpits, face, and the rest of your body all day every day just doesn’t seem like a good idea. Am I right? Keep your skin feeling and looking young and healthy with natural products.
To know you’re a getting natural and organic product, look for the certification logo and read the ingredients before purchasing. Side note: Just because it doesn’t have a logo doesn’t always mean it isn’t natural, especially if you’re shopping at a local or small business.
To find low impact and natural beauty products, I recommend shopping online at Etsy. You’ll be supporting smaller and localized businesses while discovering consciously made products using minimal plastic packaging (or not at all!).
Other places to shop for more natural products is Lush. I love the Angels on Bare Skin facial cleanser. It contains 12 all natural ingredients. Also check out this list of 17 best natural and organic skincare brands.
Don’t: Throw away all your non-organic products
In this switch to sustainable living, you may feel inclined to chuck all your old products in the bin. Don’t do that just yet.
You could finish using the products you have, keep in mind you already paid money and the environmental impact has already taken place, you might as well get some use out of them. Or…
Try giving the products away for free or for money on an online Facebook marketplace, donate them to charity, or give them to friends.
If you can’t find a home for the products and you really don’t want to use them, clean out the bottles and recycle what you can.
Do: Cut out plastic wrap and aluminum foil
Impossible to recycle and extremely wasteful, plastic wrap and aluminum foil have go to go when transitioning to sustainable living. Luckily, there are some great alternatives.
Beeswax wrap is the absolute best eco alternative to plastic wrap. It lasts for ages, is reusable, and far cuter and aggravating than plastic wrap.
Shop for beeswax wrap:
Do: Save energy
There are a number of awesome ways to save energy and help the planet out a little bit (and your pocket $). Here’s what you can do.
Use those legs! It’s like a free workout! Drop your gym membership 😉 Basically, I’m suggesting other ways of getting around. Walk or cycle when you can. If you’re just going somewhere around the corner, why drive?
The American society has this skewed idea of getting around. The rest of the world doesn’t appear to rely on their cars for nearly as much as Americans. Many of those countries are physically healthier, happier, and have more sustainable communities.
Turn off the lights and unplug. Let the natural light in when you can in an effort to save energy and live a more sustainable lifestyle. Also, unplug electronics when you’re not using them. Anything plugged into the wall can still consume energy.
Turn the heat or AC off. It’s better for the environment and your electricity bill. When you’re not home or when you don’t need it, turn if off. Put on an extra layer or use a lighter blanket at night depending on the weather. The planet and your bank account will appreciate it.
Don’t: Throw food scraps in the garbage
. Food scraps are a vastly overlooked driver of climate change.
While food waste is biodegradable, it cannot break down in the same way it would if it were put into soil. Instead, bacteria consume the food and result in the release of methane. Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is shown to have a warming potential of 21 times that of carbon dioxide.
On the other hand, food waste and organic matter that is composted can be used as a fertilizer, improves soil health, and overall helps the planet take its natural course.
So, how can you easily compost food scraps? Put it in your backyard! Dig a hole and bury your food scraps. You’ll be helping the environment and soil, and all you’ve had to do is dig a small hole. You can also buy some worms to help speed up the biodegrading process. Here are some tips for the dig and drop method.
Instead of digging a hole, you can also purchase an outdoor composter or indoor compost bin. It’s a simple, lazy method once you have the composter!
You can then use the fertilizer for your plants or garden or even sell your compost (side hustle, anyone?)
The last option for getting rid of your food scraps is to keep a sealed container in your kitchen or even in your freezer and then take those scraps to a composting facility near you.
Don’t: Constantly use your dryer
I’m mainly talking about your laundry but your hair dyer hasn’t been ruled out. Have you ever noticed how the lights sometime dim when you turn off a hair dryer? That’s because it’s sucking up so much unnecessary energy.
Purchase a clothesline or laundry rack instead.
Do: Practice sustainable travel when traveling
Sustainable tourism is the concept of visiting somewhere with the intent of being conscious to make a positive impact on the environment, economy, and society.
Support local economies, fly less, and avoid major chains when traveling. These are some basic examples of being a sustainable traveler, but read up on all my sustainable travel tips here.
Do: Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle*
It seems obvious, but reducing, reusing, and recycling is a key part of sustainable living.
Use less whether it be food, plastic packaging, or online clothes shopping. If you don’t need it, don’t buy it.
Reuse what you can. If you bought a plastic or glass packaging, how could it be reused? If I buy individual yogurts, I use the glass container as a tealight candle holder, for example. Beyond just food, reuse your old clothes in innovative ways. Here are 10 great ways to put your old clothes to use.
Finally, recycle as a last resort. Not-so-fun fact: 91% of recycled plastic never gets recycled. That means even if you put something into the recycling bin, there’s a huge chance it won’t ever get recycled, ending up in a landfill instead.
Do: Support local businesses for sustainable living
While I understand the convenience of shopping on websites like Amazon, prioritize local shops before buying from big businesses. Take a walk through your city or town and discover shops you can support instead. You’re putting money back into the hands of your community rather than big business. That sure feels good!
There’s also Etsy, an online marketplace for small businesses who make handcrafted and unique items. You can find handmade candles, plates and cutlery, clothing, and so much more. You can even limit your search to just your home country, so you can find things made close to home.
As for groceries, first support small businesses and farmers markets. Grow your own herbs and veggies when and where you can and know where your food comes from.
Do: Ditch plastic
Say goodbye to plastic toothbrushes, tampons, plastic takeaway drinks, and other unnecessary plastics. This can be one of the more challenging aspects, but don’t worry. It’s not an overnight achievement. Start small and work your way up.
Here are some awesome ways to get rid of plastic in your life.
Those are my beginner dos and don’ts to transitioning to sustainable living. What are some ways you practice sustainable living?
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