If there’s a single aspect of our lives that proves how little can go a long way, then it’s our eco-friendly behaviour. Every time you choose to buy local, ditch Earth-endangering plastic and recycle, you not only make a step towards a better future but also make an example for those around you. You can be an inspiration in your family and in your community, while you do your best to make a difference one smart, sustainable, eco-friendly choice at a time.
Embrace Meatless Mondays
You’d be surprised to learn just how many levels of damage the meat industry causes in terms of our environment. For starters, the production of beef requires 28 times more land than chicken or pork, making it a much more harmful factor for the environment than the usage of cars.
So, if you wish to reduce your carbon footprint, you can begin by cutting red meat out of your diet or at least keeping it to a minimum. The easiest way to do this is to have one day per week (Monday is just a suggestion) when you consume your protein from plant sources and switch to meat later in the week.
Think Minimal Thoughts
Fast fashion is yet another contributor to global warming, unparalleled damage to the environment through toxic waste, and not to mention the manufacturing conditions for the workers. Instead of following trends and constantly shopping for new items, you can shop with durability and quality in mind.
Go for brands that focus on Earth-friendly materials that last for years. Add to that a minimalist mindset to build a capsule wardrobe, and you’ll be certainly helping the world recover from its fashion frenzy.
Hydrate In A Green Spirit
We’ve all seen the images of exotic beaches ruined by plastic, sea creatures suffering from plastic pollution in the oceans, and one glance at a dumpster will show you just how many people still drink from plastic bottles. Instead, you can opt for a BPA and BPS-free reusable water bottle that will keep the environment safe and it will keep you hydrated in one go.
It may seem convenient, but the making of a single plastic bottle takes up as much as three times the amount of water it can hold. Add to that the impact of packaging, transportation and other steps in the process, and the price of that plastic bottle suddenly becomes much greater.
Go Paperless
To put things in perspective, in 2008 alone, approximately 125 million trees were used by the publishing industry – and that is not an insignificant number in terms of global impact. If you work in an office or have a business of your own, you’d do Mother Nature a great favour by eliminating paper usage as much as possible.
Then again, you can also make an impact on a personal level by switching to an e-book reader such as Kindle, or by getting a library membership. Talk about a simple way to make a significant difference!
No More Dirty Cleaning
When was the last time you checked the ingredient list of the cleaning products you use in your home? Many of them use non-recyclable plastic packaging, and they often contain toxic ingredients that can not only compromise your own health but also harm the environment.
There are various all-purpose cleaners with organic, Earth-friendly ingredients that are also good for your own wellbeing. You can even make your own with a few basic ingredients such as apple cider vinegar, baking soda and lemon juice!
Buy Locally and Seasonally
Did you know that 95% of the fruit you can buy in the UK actually comes from abroad? This fact alone shows that the food miles, or the distance your groceries have to travel from the farmer to your fridge are actually quite a burden on our planet. Add to that the wrapping, packaging and shipping, and you have a massive final tally of miles.
Instead, you can shop locally and seasonally to support your farmers and keep your menu very short-travelled, so to speak. If you manage not to take the car and keep those shopping sprees to a limited number per month, you’ll help the environment even more.
Reuse and Repurpose
Before you move to recycling, which is a noble step on its own, you can do your best to find new use for the old items in your own home. Whether by giving them away, giving them a coat of fresh paint or fixing them, there’s no need to instantly buy a new item.
Once the time is right, you can repurpose an item such as an old chest and turn it into a quirky coffee table or turn your old tunic into a t-shirt. This process will help reduce waste, save energy, and contribute to overall environmental awareness in your community!
Mia Taylor is a fashion and beauty enthusiast from Sydney and writer for www.highstylife.com. She loves writing about her life experiences. Travelling and enjoying other cultures and their food with her husband is a big part of her life. She is always on the lookout for new trends in fashion and beauty, and considers herself an expert when it comes to lifestyle tips.
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