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There’s a lot of talk these days about what it looks like to live sustainably. I’m a big fan of the approach that if every person takes small steps to become more conscious about what they consume and to reduce their impact, the world starts to change for the better. It’s not about being perfect 100% of the time, but it is about taking responsibility for our role in the bigger picture. There are so many simple things that we can do within our own homes to contribute towards a more sustainable lifestyle.
1. Reduce - the more we reduce what we buy, the less waste we create
We all know that waste is a huuuuge problem in today’s world. Did you know that the average American family generates over 6000 pounds of trash every year? Crazy, right?! 😭 In order to reduce the amount of waste we create, we need to be conscious of the things we buy and how much we use them.
One thing I do whenever I’m adding new pieces to my wardrobe is to make sure that I can wear that item many times into the future. Buy for long-term use as much as possible. In terms of food, I am quite conscious about our purchasing patterns as a family. One of the reasons I love meal planning on this app is because it allows me to more accurately prep the quantities of food I need each week so I can buy enough to get us through the week, but not too much that we have to throw out food.
2. Reuse - reuse items that otherwise would be thrown away
When it comes to living sustainably, one of the best things we can do is to reuse items that would otherwise be thrown away. This includes everything from clothes and electronics to furniture and appliances. There are a number of ways to go about this. One is to simply donate unwanted items to charities or thrift stores. Another is to sell them online or at garage sales. And yet another is to upcycle them into something new and different.
No matter how you choose to do it, reusing items is a great way to reduce waste, save money, and help the environment all at the same time. So next time you’re about to throw something away, think twice and see if there’s a way you can give it a second life instead.
That being said, one of the ways I’ve gone about creating small changes in my home is to invest in products that are reusable and enable us to stop using disposable products. For example, we’ve opted for waste-free storage containers, reusable water bottles and stainless steel products. All of these items last long, are plastic free and can be reused into the future.
3. Repair - repair or upgrade items that are still functional instead of buying new ones
If an item is still functional but in need of repair, it is much more sustainable to repair the item instead of buying a new one. This not only extends the life of the product, but also saves resources that would be used to create a new product.
I’ve already mentioned clothing, but fast fashion is again what comes to mind here. It’s worth spending a little more on good quality clothing that you can repair, rather than cheaply-made fast fashion that deteriorates before you can even try to repair it! (Not to mention the water pollution brought about by this industry😥)
4. Buy Local
Love your local! Shopping locally is probably one of the easiest ways to reduce your impact.
Long story short, when you shop at a locally-owned store, the merchandise doesn’t have to travel as far to get to the store, which reduces transportation costs and is better for the environment.
Think about all of the resources that are used in order to transport goods from one location to another. Gasoline or diesel fuel powers the vehicles used for shipping, and this emits harmful pollutants into the air. By shopping at a locally owned store, you can help reduce the amount of pollution caused by transportation.
Not just that… Buying locally helps to support your community. Local businesses are more likely to give back to the community in which they are located. When you shop at a locally owned store, you are keeping your money within your community, which can help it to grow and thrive.
In conclusion
It’s safe to say I’ve barely skimmed the surface of living sustainably, but like I said in the beginning, the point is to do what we can and take small steps in the right direction. If we all adopt even just a few of these sustainable living tips into our daily lives, we can make a big impact on the environment. So let's get started! Want to share a tip on how you live more sustainably? DM me @daniellasdigest ✨✨✨
