6 Small Steps for Sustainable Living

Being eco-friendly is no longer an unusual lifestyle trend, it’s a moral responsibility.

 

Everything we do has an impact on the planet, from the food we eat and the cars we drive to the clothes we wear. And if we’re going to protect our planet for future generations, change has to start with us.

 

This is where sustainable living comes in.

 

In this blog, we’re going to explain what sustainable living actually means, why it’s important and share 6 small steps you can take to lead a more sustainable life.

 

 

What is Sustainable Living?

 

Simply, sustainable living is about “understanding how our lifestyle choices impact the world around us” and finding ways to reduce our consumption of the planet’s limited resources. You can lessen your ecological footprint in a number of ways, but the areas people most commonly focus on are energy consumption, diet and transportation.

 

 

Why is Sustainable Living Important?

 

It’s no secret that our planet’s wellbeing is at risk. We use more than our fair share of the Earth’s resources to fuel our current lifestyles, and produce waste at an alarming rate. Just take a look at some of these shocking stats:

 

• Around 80% of the world’s energy comes from fossil fuels — a non-renewable and highly polluting source of energy (meaning when it runs out, it’s gone forever!)

 

• Fossil fuels are the primary source of global warming. In 2018 alone, fossil fuels contributed to 89% of global CO2 emissions (The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change)

 

• If the world population reaches 9.6 billion by 2050, we’d require almost 3 planets to provide the natural resources needed to sustain our current lifestyles (The United Nations)

 

Despite what these stats might show, it’s not too late to turn the tide on the climate crisis. By making small changes to our lifestyle, we can all reduce our carbon footprint, lessen our environmental impact and, together, create real, long-lasting change.

 

From your fridge to your wardrobe, here are 6 small steps you can take to live more sustainably.

 

 

6 Tips for Sustainable Living

 

1. Decide what matters most to you

 

Whilst it’s tempting to overhaul your whole lifestyle in one night, it’s just not realistic. You can’t address every issue, let alone all at once. If you’re going to make truly sustainable, long-lasting changes to your lifestyle, it requires a little upfront thought. Consider what issues you care about the most.

 

Not sure where to start? Roberta Lee, Founder of Ethical Brand Directory, suggests keeping a 28-day diary to record what you do, what you buy and what you throw away. After the 28-days is up, review what you’ve written and identify one or two small changes you could make to lessen your environmental impact.

 

2.Ditch the disposables

 

Every year we bin 11 billion wet wipes, which can take up to 100 years to biodegrade. It looks like makeup wipes are the quickest way to remove makeup...and litter our planet. Yikes.

 

It’s time to ditch the disposables and invest in some reusables. Your skincare routine is an easy place to make sustainable switches. Replace makeup wipes and single-use cotton pads for reusable bamboo rounds, muslin cloth or — the most sustainable thing of all — your hands!

 

 3.Eat “Ugly” Veg

 

Did you know “ugly” veg were blamed for up to 40% of wasted fruit and vegetables in 2013? Crazy, right? We believe that all veg is created equal. Some may look a little less than perfect but they taste exactly the same. So, next time you’re at your local supermarket, pick up a bag of “ugly” or “wonky” veg.

 

 4. Switch to an ethical bank

 

 

Have you ever thought about what happens to the money in your bank account? Well, you should. Contrary to what some people think, your money doesn’t sit in your account until it’s withdrawn again. Banks actually use your money to make their own profits, whether that be loans or investments. So, depending on which bank you’re with, your money could be funding any number of projects that you don’t agree with.

 

Switching to a more ethical and greener bank, ensures your savings are invested into causes that align with your values.

 

5. Look at your pet’s lifestyle

 

 image: reversible tote in brown and beige (unreversed here)

 

Over 45% of households own a pet, with spending on pets and related products reaching almost £8 billion in 2020. It’s clear we love our furry friends — but how eco-friendly are our pet purchases?

 

Are you still using plastic bags when picking up after your pooch? Could you switch to biodegradable bags? What about their food packaging? Is it recyclable? Check out this in-depth guide for more tips on eco-friendly living with pets.

 

 6. Support sustainable businesses

 

Buying less and using what you have are the foundations for a more sustainable life  — but what should you do if you need something new? Well, thanks to fashion directories like Ethical Brand Directory , Wolf & Badger, Immaculate Vegan as well as apps like Good On You, shopping in line with your values has never been easier. These sites/apps curate stylish, sustainable brands into one place for you and offer a quick review of their green credentials. So you can shop with ease and ethics!

 

 

What small sustainable steps have you taken recently? Have we missed anything? We’d love to hear from you! Comment down below or let us know on social media.