These simple sustainability tips not only will help better the planet, they’ll save you money in the long run!
Being sustainable can often be considered difficult and expensive. However, it is actually the opposite. The only real challenge to becoming eco-friendly is changing your mindset. With these simple sustainability tips you’ll be thinking green in now time.
What is sustainability?
Sustainability is based on 3 things: the environment, the economy and the well being of others. Each of these concepts are supposed to get you thinking more about your actions, purchases and lifestyle.
Environmental Sustainability
Environmental sustainability involves making choices that is good for the planet. Think of the saying “leave the camp site better than you found it.” This should be implemented into your daily life, is what you’re doing right now benefiting the planet?
Economic Sustainability
This means that we must be aware of what we are purchasing and/or selling. Are the materials we use daily sustainable, recyclable or reusable? Economic sustainability refers to practices or actions that affect the planet in the long term.
Social Sustainability
Social sustainability can often be looked over. It can be hard to think of others when we are buying groceries or clothing for our families. However, being socially sustainably means thinking about the workers and manufactures of the clothing or food you bought?
How much do you think that factory worker was paid for that $5 shirt?
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6 simple Sustainability tips
Being sustainable starts with you. Of course, we want to hold big corporations accountable for their actions. However, the most important thing we as individuals can do is make better choices.
Let’s take a look at these simple sustainability tips!
1. Go Paperless
Avoid using paper when possible! Going paperless is not only better for the environment it also creates less clutter and promotes organization.This will save you money on printing costs as well as the costs of buying paper.
2. Recycle and Reuse at Home
Some cities around the country don’t have adequate recycling programs, therefore you might have to create your own! Separate all your garbage by plastics & containers, cardboard, soft plastics and compost.
Additionally, you can reuse some containers for left overs, lunches and even arts & crafts. Recycling old cans or metals can actually make you money!
3. Drive Less or Buy Electric
This one is pretty obvious. Driving less is better for the environment. You can cut down on driving by taking public transit or riding a bike. If you are in the market for a new car, consider buying electric! Some states and cities even offer tax rebates for electric vehicles.
Driving less or buying electric saves you on gas money, parking and even potential damages! One you get a bike, it basically pays for itself.
4. Use LED Light bulbs
These lightbulbs might be a bit more expensive upfront, but they end up saving you money in the long run. Not only do they consume 85% less energy, they last 25 times longer than regular bulbs.
Additionally, some LED lightbulbs are even rechargeable!
5. Wear Sustainable/Eco-Friendly Clothing
Buying sustainable or ethical clothing can be more costly. These clothes are often made fair-trade from reliable and trustworthy sources that are transparent about manufacturing practices.
Sustainable and eco-friendly clothing is made with much better material and lasts way longer than fast-fashion. When you buy sustainable clothing you spend less in the long run because you are replacing clothes less.
6. Eat Less Meat
A BBQ or a nice big steak once in a while is understandable. However, eating meat every day can be not only very unhealthy, it also contributes to huge amounts of pollution and animal cruelty.
Meat production is one of the biggest contributors to pollution and deforestation. Buy less meat or go with a meatless option in order to do your part for the planet!
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