Sustainable living is a lifestyle that aims at conserving the natural resources available. Sometimes this could mean avoiding the consumption of products that are not produced sustainably or changing one’s way of life so that one is more active in the conservation cycle. There are a number of ways to adapt to achieve a more sustainable lifestyle. The top ten include:

Reduce household energy use

There’s a lot of energy wasted in homes and changing how you consume energy in your household can in a way improve your carbon footprint. Consider using wild renewable energy such as solar or wind instead of hydro-generated electricity. Among sustainability examples in energy conservation are:

  • Turning off appliances when not in use
  • Hanging clothes to dry instead of using a drier
  • Use warm clothes in the winter and open windows in summer instead of overreliance on the thermostat
  • Use energy conserving bulbs and LED lights.
house
Photo via PxHere

Purchase products that have environmental benefits

Be mindful of what you purchase that it does not go out of its way to harm the environment. For example, buy electric car models to avoid fuel consumptions. You could also choose to invest in a bicycle to cut down on carbon emissions. Driving green has become one of the largest ways that the carbon footprint is being reduced. More and more people are choosing to park their cars and walking short distances or pooling for more sustainable use of eco-friendly means.

bicycle
Photo by Alesia Kazantceva on Unsplash

Eat locally and seasonally

Buying your groceries locally tremendously cuts on transport, pollution, and congestion. It also helps support small and sustainable farming while ensuring that you get fresh produce when you buy what is in the season that energy has not been used to preserve. This is overall a more sustainable lifestyle because every essential thing is available to everyone at affordable prices fostering health and contentment of what is available without seeking excess to store.

eat locally
Photo by Iñigo De la Maza on Unsplash

Avoid single-use plastic

There is a lot of plastic waste because of the massive production of single-use plastic items such as disposable water bottles. Wrapping paper and Styrofoam. Plastic takes between 15 to 1000 years to decompose and hampers sustainable environmental conservation by choking the flora and fauna. It is best to avoid the use of plastic altogether but if you have to use it, ensure that it is reusable such as refillable water bottles or refillable soap and lotion bottles.

Plastic Waste per sector
Plastic Waste generation per sector, infographic by Wikimedia

Conserve wildlife

Wildlife is an essential part of the ecosystem. Avoid consuming a product that endangers their lives. Do not purchase fur clothing, ivory made jewelry or pearls from endangered oyster species. Above this, raise awareness for more people to boycott these products. More animals and fish species are going extinct and without these animals, we do not have a sustainable environment for they all play a part in it.

elephant
Photo by Nam Anh on Unsplash

Pay attention to labels

A general buyer-beware attitude is important as you scout for companies that promote sustainable living. Look for brands that are Fair Trade certified and ensure that your food is organic to be rid of the excessive harmful pesticides that are not only harming the ecosystem, but are harmful to your health too.

organic label

Save water

Ensure that water faucets are not leaky to reduce water wastage. Install water-saving toilets and shower for less time as part of your strategy for sustainable use of water resources. Where possible reuse dishwater to water plants or invest in a water filtration plant for safe reusable water. Have plants that are drought-resistant and require less watering to reduce your water consumption.

Resell and donate items

When you have no use for an item, extend its life by donating or reselling. This basically reduces the dependency on disposable or cheaply manufactured single-use products. This is a much better sustainable use of the items as opposed to piling or burning them. Consider selling children items on second hand or donating to goodwill organizations that ensure that these items are well distributed to the needy.

second hand shop
Foto di form PxHere

Use a woven eco-friendly bag when you shop

This not only reduces the use of single-use plastics but also ensures the sustainability of the environment in the long run. There is less purchase of these bags because they are reusable thus reducing the carbon footprint. In the event that they are disposed of, they are biodegradable and soon assimilate into the ecosystem.

bag lemons
Photo by Micheile Henderson on Unsplash

Plant Trees

Tree planting is a big part of a sustainable lifestyle as it seeks to reduce carbon dioxide emissions, which cause climate change. If you do not have a space that can comfortably hold a tree, volunteer in the numerous tree planting movements locally. Another small-scale way you can participate in this cause would plant your own herbs in pots. This will also ensure that you eat organically and locally.

plant tree
Photo by Markus Spiske on Unsplash

The less waste of natural resources you have, the more sustainably you are living. The consciousness that these resources are limited and are rapidly running out is essential. Creating awareness of the cause is paramount so that more people can participate in the bid to have a sustainable environment that can comfortably take care of us.

Author: Leon Edmunds began work in 2006. Since then, he has tried his hand at SEO and team communication management. He also writes for blogs and works as an academic writer at Edu Jungles, a professional essay writing service. His main interests are content marketing, communication skills development, and blogging. Every day he is looking for new ideas to help people achieve their career goals. His team works as one ideal vehicle.