Sustainability doesn’t happen all at once. It would be wonderful if a magic wand could be waved and the world would be healthy in an instant, but there’s too much work to be done for it to be done overnight. It also isn’t a one-man mission. This is something that requires consistent effort from everyone. Instead of thinking about sustainability as something one person must do, consider it as a collective mission.
Contrary to popular belief, becoming a more sustainable person is not a daunting task. It is an accumulation of small things that moves us towards a healthier environment. This isn’t something that asks you to make drastic changes to your lifestyle. Being a more sustainable person means being more cognizant of the impact of your actions, and this awareness isn’t something to be afraid of.
Here are a few simple ways to integrate sustainability into your everyday life.
Shopping: Think Twice Before You Commit
In the time of capitalism, consumption can become second nature. Retail therapy, the act of shopping to uplift yourself, is very common, but it is a big factor as to why consumer culture is so popular. Shopping is seen as an opportunity for instant gratification, not only getting what you need.
When shopping, instead of adding more possible waste to your life, ask yourself a few questions:
What is the likelihood of this product being used for years?
Rather than considering the immediate gratification, think about whether products are a worthwhile investment. Will this item end up in a landfill after a couple of weeks or months? Will I use this long enough to get my money’s worth?
Is this a business I want to support?
The fact of the matter is that who you buy from matters. Consider the ethics and sustainability practices of the company. Supporting an eco-conscious business will make a more positive difference than supporting one of the companies already raking millions in profit.
How easy is it to recycle/repurpose this item?
By favoring items that are biodegradable, recyclable, or easily repurposed, you can help reduce landfill waste and contribute to a healthier planet. When we make thoughtful choices about the products we bring into our lives, we take an active role in minimizing our environmental impact. Think about whether or not this item could be repurposed after it has completed its intended purpose.
Use Cold Water
Using cold water for everyday tasks is a simple way to help the environment and your energy bills in the long term. Heating water takes a great deal of power. When you do your laundry, wash your face, or do the dishes, use cold water instead of hot water to help reduce CO2 emissions. Cold water detergents are widely available, making it easier to keep clothes clean without the added environmental impact. If you have tough stains or especially greasy items, hot water might be necessary, but try to reserve hot water use for only those occasions.
Small adjustments to your daily routine, like this, can add up over time. By choosing cold water over hot whenever possible, you’re not only helping the environment but also contributing to lower utility bills and a more sustainable lifestyle. Remember, every small action counts, and together, they add up to create meaningful change.
Digital Declutter
Digital clutter is disorganized files on digital devices. This may not seem like it has an environmental cost, but keeping those old documents on a phone or laptop means energy must be spent. Regularly tidying up your digital spaces is a great and easy way to reduce your carbon footprint, have your devices run quicker, and clear your own mental clarity.
Delete Old Emails
Emails are a big source of clutter. Old emails, subscribed newsletters that haven’t been opened in months, etc. Start by unsubscribing from newsletters you no longer read and then clear out promotional and social folders.
Clean Out Your Camera Roll
Photos and videos can take up a significant amount of space on your phone and in cloud storage, requiring both local and remote servers to store them. Go through your camera roll and delete duplicates, accidental photos, and old screenshots you no longer need. You can organize your photos into folders or albums for easy access to your favorite memories. Also consider transferring older pictures to an external hard drive or a secure cloud storage if you want to keep them without cluttering your device.
Reduce Cloud Storage Usage
Cloud storage can be convenient, but it also has a significant environmental impact due to the energy required to power data centers. Try to be selective about what you store in the cloud. Delete unnecessary files from cloud storage. Be mindful of syncing every single photo or file if you don’t need it accessible all the time.
Keep Up with Cleaning
Make digital decluttering a regular habit, just like physical cleaning. Set a reminder to review your emails, files, apps, and photos every month or quarter. Regular maintenance will help you stay organized, reduce your digital carbon footprint, and avoid the overwhelm of a massive cleanup.
Managing your online space is very important during the age of social media, and the way you treat your digital spaces is reflective of your physical spaces. Keeping these spaces clean help the environment and your own mental wellbeing.
Spend Time with Your Community
A sustainable world is built upon connection and collective action. It doesn’t happen in isolation. Go outside and volunteer at a local event instead of spending the day inside your apartment. Spend time with your local community by participating in environmentally focused activities like tree-planting events, beach clean-ups, or neighborhood recycling programs.
Community Gardens
Join or start a community garden, where you can grow fresh produce and share it with others. This is also a great place to learn about sustainable gardening practices, like composting and organic pest control, and offer a chance to share fresh food with others, building a sense of trust and mutual support.
By building connections and collaborating on shared goals, communities can advocate for sustainable policies, inspire each other, and share resources more effectively. Remember, the power of collective action is much stronger than individual efforts alone.
Volunteer at Local Events
Participate in community-driven activities like tree-planting, park or beach clean-ups, and neighborhood recycling programs. These events create direct, tangible improvements in your local environment and offer a chance to connect with others who share your values.
You can find events at VolunteerMatch, which is a website that will find volunteering events near you. This is an effective way to find events because you can filter out which areas you wish to work in and it directly connects volunteers to nonprofits.
Getting out and volunteering is the most effective way of incorporating sustainability into your life. This helps you to see that there are other people on the same path towards a healthy environment. Seeing other community members work towards sustainability reinforces how important it is to maintain these small, easy changes.
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