We’re all guilty of using a bit too much plastic. However, we don’t have to make drastic changes to our lifestyle in order to reduce our environmental impact. There are many simple things that we can do, such as swapping out plastic straws for paper ones at cafes. Here are some ways you can live a more sustainable lifestyle.
Use reusable cups
If you’re like me, the majority of your coffee breaks take place at the office. You may be surprised to learn that using a reusable cup is actually better for the environment than using disposable cups.
Here’s how: when you use a disposable cup, it will ultimately end up in a landfill. But if you use a reusable cup, there’s no need to throw it away! Just bring it back home with you at night and wash it out before your next morning break so that your office doesn’t have to waste resources on getting more cups every day. If everyone would do this little bit of extra effort, imagine how many fewer plastic cups would wind up in landfills!
Eat less meat
One of the biggest contributors to climate change is the livestock industry. In fact, it’s responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing your meat consumption by at least 50% can help save water and energy, reduce air pollution and even improve your health.
To make this transition easier, focus on eating more plant-based foods (such as legumes and whole grains). If you choose to continue eating some animal products like seafood or eggs, look for sources that have been raised in a sustainable way with minimal environmental impact. For example, if you’re buying beef or dairy products from cows raised on pastureland with little deforestation or pesticide use then it’s considered “sustainable.”
Use public transport
Walking and cycling are great ways to get some exercise, and they’re also a great way to save money. Public transport can be cheaper than owning a car, especially when you factor in the cost of fuel! Public transport is better for the environment too — it means less pollution and more space on our roads for everyone else. Plus, if you use public transport regularly then you can leave your car at home much more often, which will make life easier for you.
Make your own cleaning products
Making your own cleaning products is a great way to get more out of your shopping dollars. You can make them from simple ingredients like baking soda, vinegar, and lemon juice. You should also keep in mind that using too much water when cleaning can waste resources—you might think it’s better for the environment if you’re using lots of water rather than less because of how much soap is being used but this isn’t actually true! The EPA recommends using just enough water so that all surfaces are wetted down evenly without any pools forming anywhere else around them; if there’s still some left over after doing this then just dump it down your drains once everything else has dried up before moving onto another room.
