In this day and age, we are coming to realise just how important it is to try and live more sustainably, but it can be hard knowing where to start and what to do to make this happen. Here are some ways you can make changes to your life and the way you live it. These simple changes can make an impact on the world we live in and help you live a more sustainable life.
Make the Switch to Electric
If you are thinking about purchasing a new car, then consider making the switch to electric away from petrol or diesel. This is an obvious step towards living a more sustainable life. An electric car produces zero carbon dioxide emissions which considerably reduces air pollution. Not only are they super environmentally friendly, but they will also benefit you financially. They are cheaper to run than traditional petrol cars and require less maintenance. They are also a smoother ride and more enjoyable to drive.
With electric vehicles becoming more and more popular, there are more charging points popping up around the country. Some cities and towns even offer free parking for electric vehicles while they charge. Take a look at this complete electric vehicle guide to see all the benefits of switching to electric.
Install Smart Light Bulbs
Smart light bulbs are another great and relatively easy way to save energy. And in turn save yourself some money. Smart bulbs don’t produce as much heat as traditional incandescent bulbs, meaning they use less energy. They can also be easily controlled from an app on your smart phone or through a smart speaker. This means if you have forgotten to turn any lights off when leaving the house, you can easily do this when out and about.
Equally you can set up programs with timers for the lights, rather than constantly leaving them on. This can save you energy and money.
Install a Smart Thermostat
Having a smart thermostat at home is another easy way to help reduce your energy consumption. Smart thermostats, again, can be controlled from an app on your phone or through a smart speaker. You can turn the heating on from your phone half an hour before you head home instead of leaving it on all the while you are out. Smart thermostats also learn your living pattern and will only come on when needed.
Start Composting
If you have a garden, then get yourself a compost bin. By putting food scraps and garden waste in a compost bin you are not only reducing your waste, but after 6-12 months you are also creating a great natural compost that can be used in your own garden. To become even more sustainable perhaps you could even create your own little veg patch, for which the compost you have made will come in very handy.
Get a Reusable Water Bottle
By using a reusable water bottle you can dramatically cut down on your single use plastic usage. Single use plastic is plastic that is only used once before being sent to landfill. They don’t break down or biodegrade and can often end up in our water and food supplies. Using a water bottle that can be used over and over again without disposal is your first step to cutting down your usage of single use plastic.
Shop Locally
Shop for your food at local farmers markets and your local butcher. You could even have your own chickens in the back garden to really cut down on those farm to table miles. Not only are you supporting your local community, but you are also helping the environment by reducing the distance your food has to travel to get to your table. Don’t forget to take your reusable shopping bags with you – another way to cut down on your single use plastic!
Ditch Fast Fashion
Clothing is another item that will end up in landfill if it’s not recycled. Try and stop buying clothes that will only be worn for one season before being thrown away. Instead, invest in items of clothing that can be worn year after year. Start buying second hand. There are plenty of apps now available online that allow you to not only sell your unwanted items of clothing, but also buy clothes from there too. Not only are you saving the environment, but you are also saving money too.
Just because second-hand clothes are cheaper, that doesn’t mean they are not as good quality. Sometimes they have only been worn a handful of times before they are being passed on. The fashion industry is one of the worst for polluting. So, by buying second-hand clothes, you are helping to reduce the need for more fabrics and clothing to be created by the fashion industry. We’re passionate about reducing clutter in our environments. Buying second hand items rather than new ones helps control the manufacture of new goods in the first place (take a look at more ideas for a clutter-free sustainable life and home)
In conclusion, these are just some of the ways that you can start to live a more sustainable life. It’s important to look after our planet and its resources for the future generations, so take that first step today to living a more sustainably.
If you would like more food for thought on this subject, you might like to check out our related posts:
How to make your home more sustainable
Sustainable upgrades to consider when designing a new kitchen