5 Easy Ways To Become More Sustainable

 

77% of Americans have admitted to wanting to live more sustainably. In comparison, over 80% of those surveyed by Forbes admit it is already recycling at home or using reusable items such as grocery bags or takeout cups that can be used again and again.

But what does living more sustainably mean, and how can you achieve it? Being more sustainable means being aware of the products you're using and how they impact the environment. For example, if you get one takeout coffee daily, each cup can take up to 30 years to break down, and with 32% of the population drinking takeout coffee every day, a lot of coffee cups are sitting in landfills waiting to break down. Being more sustainable means taking your own cup with you to your favorite coffee shop and forgoing the disposable one. At one coffee per day, this is over 350 cups saved from landfill each year.

If this sounds doable, then read on to find out how else you can live more sustainably with little effort.

Switch to electric travel options.

Have you thought about making the switch to an electric vehicle yet? If you were in the market for an upgrade, moving from a gas or diesel-powered auto to an electric one can help you reduce your impact on the world and travel more sustainably. While walking and cycling are the most sustainable options, they're not always viable, and if you need a car to get around, swapping to electric is an option. These days, thanks to technological advances, companies like VinFast are listening to consumers and making the changes to ensure their vehicles are the best they can be and live up to the demands of modern lifestyle.

No plastic

Again, this is another really easy option to do, something you likely won't even notice. However, forgoing buying anything wrapped in plastic or being thoughtful about your purchases to reduce how much plastic packing you buy can be a great place to start. It likely won't even cost you anything; simply look for those that aren't wrapped at all, i.e., fruits and vegetables, or come in paper packaging. Avoid buying plastic wrap and opt for sustainable wraps instead, and look at your options when buying food and drinks on the go to reduce how much plastic packaging comes with them, i.e., drink lids or straws, for example.

Turn the lights off.

Again, it is something straightforward and doesn't even cost you anything to do; in fact, it can even make you money if you have a solar-powered home. Turning the lights off when you leave a room will reduce your energy consumption, and this, in turn, will benefit the environment, make your house more sustainable, and reduce your energy bill; what's not to love? To go one step further, you can change your bulbs to LED options and watch the savings increase. LED light bulbs are more sustainable than traditional bulbs, lasting longer, making them better for the environment.

Upcycle or donate

What do you do with items you no longer need or use? If the answer is to throw them in the trash, then you should rethink your approach. Instead of throwing it away to languish in a landfill, why not look at the recycling or upcycling options for each item? For example, did you know that electronic waste is the third most significant type of waste in the US? Instead of discarding old electronics, look for e-waste recycling companies in your area that can repurpose the parts and avoid them being dumped. Or you can upcycle clothing, old furniture, materials, or anything you have on hand. If you can't do this yourself, donate them to people or companies who can breathe new life into the ice and look as good as new.

Go veggie

It doesn't have to be full veganism if you don't want it to, but reducing your meat consumption and having more veggie-based meals can help you reduce your carbon footprint and increase sustainability. Even just one night off the meat can help. Whether you forget meat altogether and get your protein from beans, tofu, or fish, or you choose one of the many meat substitute products in the market, give it a try, and you never know, you might find your new favorite meal.

Being more sustainable simply means you need to be more aware of the resources you are using and how this impacts the world. These small swaps can help you to avoid excessive waste and play your part.