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iving green and being eco-friendly isn’t always easy. There are a lot of steps you can take to make your life more sustainable. But with so many options, it’s hard to know where to start. You may wonder what is the most environmentally friendly way to dispose of trash, or how to buy clothes that have been ethically made.
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Here are 10 simple tips for living a greener lifestyle. They will help you make wiser choices in your day-to-day life and help protect the environment for future generations.
Recycle More
Recycling is the easiest and cheapest way to make your home greener. Recycling just one plastic bottle can save up to 50 pounds of carbon dioxide from being released into the atmosphere. Recycled materials also create an extra revenue stream for communities. So, recycling more should be a top priority for any eco-friendly individual.
Additionally, keep in mind that you can recycle not only plastic and glass bottles, but paper, cardboard, and aluminum cans as well.
The benefits of recycling are not limited to just your community, but to the world at large.
Purchase Single-Use Organic Bags
When you buy your fruits and vegetables at the grocery store, you can help save the environment by purchasing those that are wrapped in paper bags or have been placed in a plastic bag that is not one-time use.
Reusable grocery bags are one of the best ways to help the environment. Also, if you have access to a recycling center, you can recycle electronic waste.
Eat Vegan
Vegans don’t just cut their carbon footprint in half. In fact, a vegan diet can save as much as 75% of their total water use compared to eating meat! There are a wide variety of reasons that make going vegan a good idea, including health and the environment. So take a closer look at the advantages that go along with giving up meat and dairy.
Drink Water
There are several ways to live a green lifestyle and one of the best is by using more water. It’s important to stay hydrated because staying healthy means having enough fluids in the body. You can use water to cut down on the use of plastic bottles and bottled water as a cheaper alternative.
You can also save a little bit of money each month by using a water purifier. For example, you can use a water filter to eliminate the chemicals from your water and make it taste even better. You can find a water filter for just about any budget and with a little research, you can find affordable water purification systems as well.
Walk or Bike to Work
If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, biking and walking to work are the most eco-friendly ways to do so. The more steps you take to save energy and reduce the size of your carbon footprint, the better.
It’s not just the car you don’t have to carry, it’s also the air pollution, traffic congestion, and extra weight on your feet. A few extra steps at work or school can also make a huge difference in your health and energy levels. Walking or biking to work is a great way to get out of the house and start feeling better about yourself.
Biking is also superior to driving because it can reduce your carbon emissions by 50% or more. Driving also comes with costs (such as the cost of gas, vehicle maintenance, and parking), but biking is a free and convenient way to get around!
Along with the health benefits of biking and walking, there are many other reasons to choose this green transportation alternative. The environmental benefits are an obvious reason to walk or bike.
However, if you choose to bike to work, be sure to be safe. Wear a helmet, wear reflective clothing, and follow all traffic laws.
Waste Less, Use Less Plastic and Packaging
When it comes to the environment, one of the best things you can do is waste less. You should buy what you need and use what you buy. Avoid impulse purchases by thinking about your needs before you hit the store. Buy clothes with less packaging or that don’t have a lot of excess fabric so they last longer.
Clear out your closet and donate clothes, books, and other items that are still in good condition but no longer needed.
Buy paper-based products rather than plastic or aluminum ones, as these materials take much more energy to produce and transport. Use reusable grocery bags and water bottles instead of buying new ones each time.
Pack a lunch in reusable containers instead of disposables like Styrofoam or plastic wrap. There are many eco-friendly lunch options available at stores nowadays that make this an easy task.
When eating out, try to avoid using plastic cutlery and utensils, and order take-out in reusable containers.
When you get to the register, tell the cashier that you didn’t need the disposable bag or Styrofoam container. Many stores are happy to give them to you for free.
Use rechargeable batteries rather than buying new ones. Batteries contain heavy metals that get stuck in landfills.
Use cloth napkins instead of paper ones or plastic cutlery. If you happen to see a paper napkin dispenser, use it to help cut down on waste. Take reusable bags to the grocery store. Don’t buy single-use plastic bags. Bring your own bag for groceries and use it for your shopping bags. You can even buy cloth bags with handles to use for shopping. Avoid using “gift bags” or decorative bags that are not reusable for your gifts.
If you take the bus or train to work or school, skip the plastic bag in the airport when you check your bag. On your next plane trip, carry a duffel bag instead of a suitcase.
Use the scale at the store to weigh yourself and your purchases instead of having your items weighed in front of you.
Stop using plastic ware and paper towels, and switch to cloth napkins and reusable utensils.
If you’re not going to eat or drink it, don’t buy it! Bring your own containers and bags for bulk food items to avoid throwing away the plastic packaging.
If you have a dog, consider buying a retractable leash. You’ll be able to let your dog out into the yard without having him run off on a long leash.
Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
The first and most important tip for living a greener lifestyle is to reduce, reuse and recycle. It’s easy to forget about recycling when you’re in a hurry, but it’s worth the effort to do so. You can cut down on your waste by taking steps like only shopping for new clothes when you need them or reusing items like plastic bags or straws over time.
Another important step in living a greener lifestyle is to reduce how much you eat. This is an important thing to do from a sustainable standpoint because it helps reduce the amount of food that you need to produce. You also want to be sure that you’re eating high-quality foods. It’s a good idea to familiarize yourself with the food pyramid and try to eat your way to the top.
But just as important, if not more so, is to reduce your waste in the first place. Take a look at what you’re throwing away and whether there’s a way to reduce the waste or reuse it. If you’re throwing the same type of waste out regularly, it may be a good idea to reduce the amount you would normally use.
Support Local, Ethical Businesses
One of the most important steps you can take to live a more sustainable lifestyle is supporting local, ethical businesses. By shopping locally, you’re helping to keep your community strong and your money in the economy. You’ll also be able to find products made with quality materials and in a responsible way.
Supporting small businesses also supports people like artisans and farmers who are generally making less than minimum wage. By buying their goods, you are supporting these individuals and their families’ living wages. When we buy from big box stores, we are hurting small business owners by taking away any competition they may have been experiencing. Instead of buying cheaply-made clothes from a mass retailer, try looking for clothes that have been ethically made. This includes clothes made from organic cotton or recycled materials.
By making purchases at a local store, you are also supporting the environment by not contributing to any extra pollution. If you buy something online, you have to pay for shipping, which adds to the pollution in the air.
When shopping for something new or shiny, think about whether you really need it. You’ll feel better knowing that you’re not spending an extra $200 in the first month.
“Buy With Your Values”
The more you look at your own habits, the more you can see how you can change them to support more sustainable and ethical living.
If you want to create a more sustainable and ethical living, you should start small. This can be as easy as purchasing one item to replace a similar item you’re using. If you’re about to go shopping for new clothes, buy some that have been ethically made.
If you live in a city with a large immigrant population, you may want to consider buying from street vendors as well. This way you’ll be supporting families in your area that might otherwise not have an opportunity to make a living.
Get in the habit of reading labels. If there is bulk food in your grocery store, buy bulk grains, grains that are unprocessed, and foods that are packaged in boxes or cardboard instead of plastic.
Buy Clothes That Have Been Ethically Made
You don’t have to sacrifice style for sustainability. Buying clothes that have been ethically made is one way to live a more sustainable lifestyle. Choosing to buy clothes that are responsibly sourced, such as second-hand or vintage, will help reduce the demand for new clothes and textile waste in landfills.
Whenever possible, reuse your possessions and avoid buying new products. Reuse those old clothes, books, and toys. Make them into new things or give them to others who can use them. There’s more than one way to make something new.
You’re also doing the environment a favor by avoiding disposable packaging, from coffee cups to food packaging. Whenever possible, buy unpackaged products.
You can also help save the planet by making simple, everyday changes to your wardrobe. Choose clothes made from natural, recycled, and renewable materials, such as cotton and hemp. Reduce the amount of clothing you buy by taking better care of the garments you have or passing them on to someone who can use them.
You can help to reduce textile waste by choosing to buy clothing that is made to last, such as quality wool or cotton. Other items that are better for the environment include products made from hemp, bamboo, and organic cotton. The best way to reduce textile waste, however, is to buy clothes that have been made from recycled materials.
Recycled clothing is a great way to reduce textile waste and support sustainable fashion. You don’t have to sacrifice style for sustainability.
Sell and swap is a great way to keep clothes out of the landfill and help keep them from ending up in the ocean.
“The fashion industry wastes enormous amounts of water and pollutes the air.
“Reducing fashion’s environmental impact is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also the smart way to build a sustainable future.
Educate Yourself on the Environment
The first step in living a greener lifestyle is to educate yourself. Learn as much as you can about how your lifestyle affects the environment. You should also learn about the environmental risks that are out there and what you can do to minimize them. The more you know, the more sustainable your life will be.
Investigate your local area to find a recycling program that you can use. This will allow you to recycle your paper, glass, and aluminum in an environmentally conscious way. You can also recycle other items like clothing or packing plastic.
Combine errands so you can use the same car multiple times in one day. This is a great way to limit your carbon footprint. Make sure you use a vehicle that gets more than 20 miles per gallon.
You should use your home’s walls to hang up your books. Instead of using shelves that take up space, use the areas that you don’t use as much. This will give you more room in your room and allow you to use any extra space that you have. You can always find the perfect spot to hang these up and make your room look good.
Final Thoughts on How Do You Live a Greener More Sustainable Lifestyle?
It is never too late to make small changes to your lifestyle that can have a big impact on the environment. Making a few simple adjustments in your daily routine can lead to a more sustainable, environmentally-friendly way of living.
Do you want to learn more about How Do You Live a Greener More Sustainable Lifestyle? Check out these Best Books on Sustainable Living.

Meet Maurice, a staff editor at Bigger Investing. He’s an accomplished entrepreneur who owns multiple successful websites and a thriving merch shop. When he’s not busy with work, Maurice indulges in his passion for kayaking, climbing, and his family. As a savvy investor, Maurice loves putting his money to work and seeking out new opportunities. With his expertise and passion for finance, he’s dedicated to helping readers achieve their financial goals through Bigger Investing.