When attempting to live an environmentally responsible lifestyle, it can be difficult to know where to begin. The conversion to solar energy, electric vehicles, or organic products is not something that everyone can afford to do overnight. The good thing about sustainability is that you don’t have to go all in. Your everyday routine can be improved with a few simple modifications that will have a big impact on the environment.
There are several ways you may go green, including changing your hygiene habits, household items, wardrobe, and more. Initially, try these five easy suggestions.
Abandon Google Search
Did you know that changing your search browser can help you live more sustainably? You only need to start utilizing Ecosia. This no-cost browser add-on donates all of its earnings to fighting global warming. At least 80% of such money is used for tree-planting initiatives, with a focus on native species where they are most needed.
Thanks to Ecosia users and its search ads, more than 150 million trees have already been planted in more than 30 nations. For instance, Ecosia collaborates with regional organizations in Brazil to help safeguard species at risk of extinction. Solar energy is used to run the business, and it provides twice as much energy as is required to support all user searches.
Eating Less Meat
However delicious animal products may be, eating meat has some of the worst effects on the environment. According to The Guardian, the manufacturing of meat results in:
-
- Logging in order to make space for livestock;
- Cows and fertilizers both produce large amounts of methane emissions;
- The environment.
Consuming less meat can help, even though production is the main issue when it comes to ethical meat practices. To substitute meat with plant-based products once a week, try setting aside that day. As a result, your carbon impact will be smaller, and you’ll be motivated to think of inventive non-meat meal options.
Replace Your Showerhead
Your ecological footprint may significantly increase depending on how much water you consume on a daily basis. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, taking showers accounts for over 17 percent of water use inside homes. This equals about 40 gallons per day for the typical family.
A more effective showerhead is an option in addition to trying to reduce the length of your shower.
WaterSense showerheads consume two gallons per minute. An average family may save 2,700 gallons annually by switching to this showerhead If every home adopted a WaterSense showerhead, it could save more than 260 billion gallons of water annually.
Convert to Shampoo Bars
Consider giving up buying shampoo bottles as another bad shower habit. Try shampoo bars as an alternative. These goods are far more environmentally friendly than body soap bars and are comparable to them. It won’t add to the nine million tons of plastic that are dumped in the ocean each year, to start.
They are a zero-waste product because the majority of shampoo bars don’t come packaged (aside from occasionally paper cartons). Additionally, they contain only natural components, last two to three times longer than bottles, and hence cost less over time.
Purchase Fewer Garments
While purchasing new clothing can be a lot of fun, the negative environmental effects of rapid fashion are concerning. According to CNN, 80% of all apparel is disposed of in landfills or burned. Additionally, washing garments contributes an estimated 551,000 tons of plastic microfibers to ocean pollution each year.
Reduce the amount of clothing you buy and make use of what you currently have in your closet to start. You could be shocked by the number of unutilized items you already have but have neglected to use. Consider these other suggestions:
-
- Purchasing used and eco-friendly brands;
- Spend money on clothing you’ll wear at least 30 times;
- Invest in timeless goods rather than trends;
- Instead of online, go shopping;
- Shop newsletters can be unsubscribed from.
Learn More Online About Sustainable Living
There are several things you can do to have a smaller environmental impact. Living a sustainable lifestyle doesn’t have to be difficult, whether it involves using less water, giving up plastic, or switching out certain home products.
Search online to find more simple strategies to protect the environment. You can discover easy changes and routines that will reduce your overall ecological footprint. The new method of doing things will eventually become your new standard.
Featured Image: Freepik @ jcomp