At one point or another, we’ve all learned about the ‘3 Rs’–Reduce, Reuse, Recycle– but many of us still don’t know how to put these guidelines into action.

If you don’t know what it means to live a sustainable lifestyle, or you’re just looking to get started and learn more, you are in the right place. In this post, I will explain what sustainable living is, the benefits of sustainable living, and ten simple tips that you can start TODAY to kick-off your ‘sustainable living for beginners’ journey.

What is Sustainable Living for Beginners?

Simply put – it is an individual’s attempt to reduce their consumption of Earth’s natural resources in order to reduce their carbon footprint and save resources for future generations. It could also mean replenishing the resources we have used and producing less waste.

You could extend sustainable living into any area of your life such as:

  • Transportation/Travel
  • Diet
  • Energy Consumption
  • Personal resources

Why is it Important to Live a Sustainable Lifestyle?

The reason living a sustainable lifestyle is important is pretty straightforward – if we don’t take care of the environment, we reduce our quality of life here on Earth, natural resources will grow scarce, and animal populations will be in danger of becoming extinct. We risk some pretty grave dangers if we don’t make a change, and make it soon.

The good news is that sustainable living is the root of this change, and there are things you can do at home, in your community, and around the world to do your part to protect the planet.

What are the Benefits of Sustainable Living?

There are numerous benefits to living sustainably, including a reduced cost of living and living a healthier lifestyle. Here are some of the top benefits of living a sustainable lifestyle – for beginners especially.

Simplify Your Life

Whenever you start living sustainably, you start to question just how much you need and what you feel comfortable living without. Whenever you use, need, and want less, you simplify your life. This allows you to make time for the things that truly matter to you, such as family, friends, and self-care.

Saving Money

Sustainability actually saves you money in the long run and helps you stop mindlessly spending. You become a much more conscious consumer and save money when you rely on yourself for things like food, water, and energy.

Better Planet for Future Generations

Every action you take now helps your children, grandchildren, and all future generations have the resources they need and the quality of life that was afforded to you. Sustainability helps future generations thrive.

Living a Healthier Lifestyle

When you start living in an eco friendly way, you tend to get rid of the toxins in your home. Taking care of the planet directly impacts and improves your health! You could also lose weight and increase your fitness by forgoing unhealthy foods wrapped in plastic or taking the stairs instead of the elevator. Win-win!

Increased Confidence

Sustainability can help improve your confidence when you rely on yourself instead of others for your wants and needs, and can help your self-esteem when you become part of a global movement.

Less Waste

When you live a sustainable lifestyle, you end up creating less waste, which helps reduce your carbon footprint. You may buy less clothes, waste less food, and generally consume less, if approaching sustainable living for beginners.

Practical Sustainable Living Tips

How can I be more Sustainable?

If you are ready to live a sustainable lifestyle but not quite ready to sell your house or trade in your car, there are many practical, simple steps you could take today that would greatly benefit the planet and your lifestyle. Kick off your sustainable living journey with easy ways to live more sustainably.

Go Vegan

One of the best things you can do for the environment is to go vegan. If you aren’t quite there yet, then consider going meatless for a couple of nights during the week.

Going vegan has many benefits such as using less water, cost savings, and saving the lives of precious animals.

Change Out the Light Bulbs

Consider switching to LED light bulbs. These bulbs are energy efficient, meaning you don’t have to swap them out as often as conventional lighting. There are so many different kinds of LED lighting options that you are sure to find something that fits your needs and the style of your home.

Don’t Use Plastic Bags at the Grocery Store

Plastic is extremely harmful for the environment, so it should be our top priority to use it less and less, or go completely plastic-free. Plastic bags at the grocery store are clogging up our landfills and endangering animals on land and sea.

Whenever you go to the grocery store, bring cloth bags with you to hold groceries instead. Keep them in your car with you at all times so you never forget them!

Hang Dry Clothes

Save money and promote energy conservation by line-drying your clothes instead of throwing them in the dryer. You will greatly reduce your carbon footprint and protect your clothes from harsh heat, which helps them last longer as well.

Turn Off All Devices at Night

Turn off all devices at night, including computers and wifi as well, in order to save energy! Don’t forget to also turn off all the lights whenever you leave a room.

Avoid Buying Plastic Wrapped Products

It seems like plastic is a daily facet in our lives and impossible to escape. However, limiting your use of plastic isn’t as hard as you think. You could switch from unhealthy plastic wrapped foods to whole foods, swap out plastic straws for metal, or stop buying water bottles and use a stainless steel bottle instead. This helps protect the environment and your wallet!

Shop Second-Hand for Clothes (Or Shop Ethically)

Shop at local thrift stores when you need new clothes. Most thrift stores have name-brand clothes in like-new condition. This will help you save money, fossil fuels and water resources that come from shopping at the clothing store.

If you want brand new items, then please shop ethical, sustainable clothing brands. These brands make sure that not only conscious of the amount of resources used, but that their workers are receiving fair pay and the companies are enforcing ethical labour practices.

Opt to Receive Digital Files and Mail

Go paperless! Whenever you are able to, opt to receive digital mail and notices. Most banks and other companies have a green initiative and offer to send you important emails instead of paper notices. Sustainable living for beginners can be as easy as this!

Make Your Own Homemade Cleaning Products

Most conventional, store-bought cleaners contain harmful chemicals that are not only bad for the environment, but bad for your health as well. Consider making your own green, homemade cleaning products using natural ingredients such as lemons, lavender, vinegar, and baking soda. This will help you save so much money, since store bought cleaners can get very expensive.

Are you ready to live a sustainable lifestyle?

Source : Learner Vegan

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