From fossil fuels to plastics, humans use many resources every day that can cause serious harm to the environment. Thankfully, through small incremental changes, everyone can begin to live a more sustainable lifestyle at home and beyond. With a few simple updates to your lifestyle and the things you use every single day, it’s easy to begin adopting eco-friendly, sustainable habits that will last a lifetime. Read on to discover how you can minimize your impact on the environment and begin to live a sustainable lifestyle.

Benefits of Sustainable Living

There are resources to living a sustainable lifestyle.

Reduce carbon footprint. By going sustainable, you’ll reduce the amount of trash that goes into landfills, which may also enter our waterways, soil, and forests.

Save money. Choosing to use sustainable products can save you money since most items are reusable rather than disposable. You’ll save money on energy costs which results in lower household bills and expenses.

Protect the environment. Opting to go sustainable will help to reduce the demand for toxic chemicals, deforestation, and habitat destruction. Every time you change a habit, you’re making a small step toward being a better steward for the environment.

Take care of yourself. Sustainable living is generally healthier for your body and mind.

Transitioning to a sustainable lifestyle

You don’t have to “go sustainable” overnight. Here are a few tips to help make the transition easier:

Start small switch plastic water bottles with stainless steel, reusable ones.

Look for products labeled as eco-friendly, organic, or cruelty-free and purchase them rather than those without the proper certifications.

Follow the three R’s. Reduce, reuse, recycle as much as you possibly can.

Research ways you can transition over to a sustainable lifestyle at home so that these habits become second nature over time.

Home products: kitchen, laundry, and more

The best way to live sustainably is by making smarter choices in your home. Here are some ideas to help you get started.

Paper towels and napkins. Consider using paper towels that are only biodegradable and made of sustainable materials without excess dyes or chemicals. Other options include washable paper towels made of bamboo that can be reused several times. Try to use cloth napkins that can be washed over disposable ones whenever possible.

Alternatives to plastic wrap. Reduce your foil and plastic wrap consumption by storing your food in glass containers. Food covers with silicone lids fit snugly over bowls and other containers to keep foods fresh. Anything made of safe materials like glass, stainless steel, or silicone are all excellent alternatives that reduce waste and keep your food just as fresh as plastic wrap or aluminum foil.

Alternatives to food storage bags. Keep snacks and chopped foods fresh with silicone food bags. These reusable food bags can be rinsed clean in the sink for easy use. Beeswax wrap is another great way to store your favorite foods to keep them fresh without tossing plastic into a landfill. You can also store food in stainless steel containers with a silicone lid or beeswax wrap on the top.

Reusable product bags. Instead of shopping with plastic bags, bring your own cloth tote instead. Look for items you buy that come in reusable bags or containers so you can continue to use them for storage or other purposes.

Reusable beverage containers. Say goodbye to plastic water bottles and Styrofoam cups by switching over to reusable bottles and tumblers. A coffee tumbler with a lid is an excellent way to enjoy a hot beverage while on the go. Switch disposable water bottles with a stainless-steel bottle so you can easily refill it and prevent throwing more trash into the garbage.

Sustainable dish soap. Try a dish soap that comes in a reusable bottle. Many brands offer refills that come in eco-friendly, biodegradable packaging. You simply fill your bottle back up with the product to reduce excess waste. Make sure that the products are not tested on animals and will be safe and eco-friendly for the environment once it goes down the drain.

Laundry. Wash clothes less often and use cold water to save energy. Only run your washing machine when it’s full. You can also hang-dry your clothes to save energy too. Look for clean, eco-friendly laundry detergents, too.

Furniture. Instead of buying new furniture, consider upcycling pieces you find at thrift stores or yard sales. Make your own furniture from reclaimed woods or palettes for a fun home project.

Cleaning. Avoid using home cleaning products that contain toxic chemicals or bleach. Natural alternatives like apple cider vinegar mixed with baking soda and water do a great job of removing tough stains without excess waste or harm to the environment.

Water. Water is one of the most valuable resources that we need for our survival and is running short worldwide. There are several ways you can save water at home, from closing the tab when showering or washing hands, to recycling the washing machine water for toilets, mopping, and other usages. Check out this article with easy tips that will help you save water.

Health Products

You can transition to a sustainable lifestyle with some smart health product swap-outs. Start by switching your hygiene products to plastic-free ones.

Shampoo. Replace bottled shampoo with an eco-friendly shampoo bar that uses zero packaging, thus producing zero waste. You can also try your hand at mixing a few simple ingredients together. Add your favorite essential oils for a clean boost of fragrance.

Hair conditioner. Just like shampoos, you can try an eco-friendly conditioner bar for soft, smooth hair. To make a DIY eco-friendly conditioner bar, add ingredients like shea butter, argon oil, or coconut oil for smooth and silky locks.

Eco-Friendly razor. Replace disposable razors with one that features a reusable handle. This is a better way to shave since it reduces the amount of waste you produce. Look for razors that are plastic-free and feature recyclable blades to increase sustainability.

Menstrual products. Consider switching from plastic tampons and pads to silicone or fabric sanitary pads. Both of these items are washable and reusable, and they’re also safer for your body too. Menstrual panties are another excellent choice to keep you dry and help you transition to a sustainable lifestyle at home.

Make-up removal. Instead of disposable cotton pads or make-up removing wipes, switch to fabric pads. Look for pads made of soft, eco-friendly bamboo cloth that can be washed and reused several times instead of wipes that don’t degrade and end up clogging sewer systems and landfills.

Garbage

You can make some lifestyle changes with the garbage you produce to help live a sustainable lifestyle.

How to Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle. Follow this friendly guide to practice a sustainable lifestyle. You can reduce your consumption by choosing to purchase products with less waste or by not buying items you don’t need at all. Reuse things like food and beverage storage, paper towels, and other items you’d typically throw away after one use. Finally, determine what items you can recycle and how you can help recycle items from your home in your local community.

How to separate garbage. Most garbage is recycled based on category. If you don’t get the option to separate from your city or town, use color-coded bins to help make separating trash easier. Most recycling centers separate things by material like metal, paper, and plastic. Toss each item into the appropriate bin before you take it for recycling. You can compost food scraps and coffee grinds to use them as fertilizer for your garden.

Clothing

Consider choosing more sustainable clothing to help you live a sustainable lifestyle.

Second-hand clothes. Shop at thrift stores, yard sales, and consignment boutiques to find beautiful, gently used second-hand clothes. You can also find several websites where online thrifting is available, so you’re not buying everything brand-new.

Slow fashion. Fast fashion has detrimental effects on the environment. Look for brands that offer limited designs, no-waste manufacturing processes, and better production methods that don’t harm the environment.

Upcycling. You can quickly turn a piece of clothing into something new through upcycling. Look for gorgeous vintage pieces, then add your own personal touch to make them trendy and fresh.

Where can you find eco-friendly products?

There are many places you can shop for and source a variety of eco-friendly products for a more sustainable life.

Local shops and markets. Shop small and when buying things like clothing, food, and household goods. Your local farmer’s market will offer fresh produce locally grown, which means it likely uses fewer chemicals and much fewer pollutants to transport it from the farm to your table. Explore local second-hand boutiques to find fun clothing and jewelry items. Shopping local and small is a great way to discover new and unique eco-friendly products.

Eco-friendly shops. Whether it’s local or online, there are plenty of retailers and brands that offer nothing but eco-friendly products. Research different companies until you find a few that offer what you need according to your standards and preferences.

Online stores. More online stores are moving toward selling sustainable goods. Choose stores that package their wares in recyclable or biodegradable packaging whenever possible. Also, ask about their shipping processes to confirm that it’s done as sustainably as possible.

Whether it’s trading in your old shampoo for a DIY bar, or tossing out disposable water and food containers, any change you make can lead toward a more sustainable lifestyle. As you make these changes step-by-step, you’ll soon discover that living a sustainable lifestyle is easier than you thought. Use these tips to help make the switch so you can contribute to a cleaner, greener world for all.