Simple Changes You Can Make to Live More Sustainably

Simple Changes You Can Make to Live More Sustainably

Most people, while thinking about living a lifestyle sustainable think that it requires big, life altering changes. And while the environment would benefit tremendously from everyone going zero-waste, that’s not the only thing you can do. Living more sustainably can just be small changes to your daily routine that barely seem to make a difference. But these small changes add up. Here are a few easy things you can do to live more sustainably.

1)

       

One of the easiest things you can do to make a big difference is to use less waste. A simple switch you can make is avoiding single use products. Think about how often you throw away napkins and paper towels. Probably multiple times a day. According to 13 Facts about Home Paper Products that May Inspire You to Hug a Tree by Lynn Hasselberger, any given person will use an average of 2,400 to 3,000 paper towels at work in one year. This ridiculously high number makes it evident that people are using too much. And worse, most people don’t even realize the problem at hand. By being conscious of the amount of paper and plastic you throw away or by using a reusable alternative, you could save up to 40 pounds of paper towels every year. 

Avoiding single use products and instead investing reusable alternatives will not only make a big impact on the environment but save you a lot of money in the long run. Although buying a set of 12 cloth napkins is significantly more expensive than a pack of 1000 paper, those cloth napkins will last you years while you will have to buy new paper ones in a few months. The cost adds up. 

Here are a few sustainable alternatives to everyday products and where you can buy them.

Plastic water bottles➝Reusable water bottles

Paper napkins➝Cloth napkins

Ziplock bag➝Tupperware
Saran Wrap or Tin Foil➝Bee's Wrap or other reusable food wraps
Plastic Toothbrush➝Bamboo toothbrush
Toilet paper➝Recycled toilet paper or tube-free toilet paper

Plastic dog poop bags➝Biodegradable dog poop bags
Plastic Produce Bags➝Reusable produce bags

2) 

Using less animal products is another great switch you can make to live more sustainably. Not only is eating less meat not killing innocent animals, it also reduces your carbon footprint immensely. According to Eating Less Meat, More Plants Helps the Environment, livestock production generates as much greenhouse gas emissions as all cars, trucks and automobiles combined. The rising levels of greenhouse gasses are the leading cause of climate change. By reducing your meat consumption, you are directly taking a stand to combat global warming.

Although going vegan or vegetarian are great ways to reduce your meat intake, there are many other ways to make an impact that aren’t life changing. By simply being conscious of what you're eating, you’re already starting to make a change. Substituting meat for meat substitutes like tofu or veggie burgers is an easy way to eat less meat while not feeling like your “missing out” on anything.

3) Conserving energy is very important because producing energy, the way it is done, uses non-renewable energy sources like fossil fuels. Burning these fossil fuels also is a huge contributor to air and water pollution problem. There are so many small changes you can make to your daily routine to conserve energy, here are just a few. 

1. Only have the lights on in the room you’re in at the moment. Or better yet, don’t turn on the lights during daytime, natural lighting works just as well.  
2. Use the AC or heater as a last resort for the coldest or hottest days. Cold? Put on a sweatshirt or go under a blanket. Hot? Make sure you’re wearing light clothing and open a window.
3. While plugged in, even if off, appliances are using energy. Try to unplug devices when you are not actively using them.
4. Be smart about washing clothes. Some clothing items can be worn two or more times before washing, so think before you put something in the washing machine. Also, when putting in a load of laundry,
5. make sure the machine is filled all the way so you are getting the most you can out of the wash.
6. Try to avoid driving your car by yourself, especially for short distances. Taking trains, buses, biking, carpooling, or simply walking are much more sustainable means of transportation.

4)  By composting, you are reducing the amount of trash that builds up in landfills and allowing the nutrients released by the foods back into the soil. These nutrients can help new crops grow in the future. 

Most people see composting as a big switch that comes with big dedication but that is not necessarily true. Many towns are starting compost programs which are great but, they don’t necessarily do a great job of gaining traction. Did you know that New Castle has a food scraps recycling program? You can find its website here. 

If you want to set up your own compost system there are many methods out there. These are a few tutorials on making your own compost setup. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KR6R-Ue4qcQ

https://www.bhg.com/gardening/yard/compost/how-to-compost/