It’s never too late to start living a more sustainable lifestyle. While one person can’t stop climate change, a collective effort to live with less waste can definitely help the environment. By consciously making better choices, you can gradually reduce your impact on the world around you.
We understand that it can be daunting to immediately make a major transition towards sustainable living. Start your eco-friendly journey with these simple resolutions:
Bring Your Own Containers And Utensils
Bringing your own water bottle wherever you go is one of the easiest ways to reduce your waste output. The price per bottle adds up to a hefty sum in the long run, and the empty bottles can pile up. By investing in a filtration system for your home and a cute water bottle, you won’t have to spend so much money on bottled water again.
The same thing goes for takeout containers and disposable utensils–the waste can pile up, increasing your carbon footprint. A microwaveable container and reusable utensils won’t take up much room in your bag and will make a sizeable dent in your plastic waste.
Shop Smartly
Instead of heading to the mall to get new clothes or furniture, why not duck into a thrift store instead to look for items you can reuse? There’s nothing wrong with buying secondhand: By breathing new life into vintage pieces, you can add character to your home (or wardrobe) while saving money.
Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
The global demand for meat is a major contributor to climate change. If this makes you feel a bit guilty, remember that vegan or vegetarian meals can be tasty, nutritious, and cheaper than dishes with meat and dairy products. You can take it one step further by planting your own home garden: by growing your own produce, you can save on food costs and even make extra money by selling to your neighbors and loved ones.
Reuse Things
Before you throw away something, consider first if you can repurpose it. Maybe the paper bag you’re about to dispose of can be reused as a gift bag or a trash can liner. That plastic container you’re about to toss can be a suitable container for art supplies or small knickknacks. If it’s still usable, keep it–you never know when it might come in handy.
Commute Responsibly
Getting around everywhere in a car can make a dent in your wallet (and can really bump up your emissions). Using public transportation might be a bit inconvenient, but it’s an easy way to reduce your carbon footprint and save money. Plus, walking or biking can count as a workout, so you’ll be hitting two birds with one eco-friendly stone.
Photo by Priscilla Du Preez on Unsplash
Marianne is Nixplay’s Web Content Editor. Her hobbies include exploring new places, playing table tennis, and cuddling puppies. Send her a message at marianne.salazar@nixplay.com.