Five ways to implement sustainable and eco-friendly living

Looking for ideas to make positive lifestyle changes? Here are five ways to implement sustainable and eco-friendly living.

If you consider adopting an eco-friendly lifestyle to be a priority, you are not alone. An increasing number of people are turning their attention to this way of life each year, and there has never been a better time to make the change. After all, it’s great for your health, wealth, and environment,

All green living steps will have a positive impact, but some have a bigger influence than others. Here are five of the most effective changes you should consider making over the coming months.

1) Sustainable eating 

Nutrition sits at the heart of all lifestyle strategies, not least because it is an essential part of daily life. Putting a focus on non-GMO foods, organic foods, and foods made by companies that use ethical practices is vital. You may find that growing fruit and vegetables in the backyard is another great way to help your body as well as the environment.

Perhaps the best way to improve your eating habits for increased sustainability, though, is to reduce your food waste. Review your grocery shopping habits and make adjustments where possible.

2) Change travel habits

In an ideal world, walking and cycling to places would be possible at all times. The reality of modern life is that most people need to drive for their jobs or to complete daily assignments. Switching to an electric car is one of the smartest things you can do for the environment.

If establishments are near enough to your home but too far to walk, consider switching to a motorized bicycle. It’s powered by electricity or gas but doesn’t use as much fuel or energy as a car. Motorized bikes are more cost-effective, healthier, more environmentally friendly, and even more efficient modes of transportation compared to automobiles.

With the EV market growing at an exponential rate, the cars and bikes are more affordable while charging is more convenient. Taking public transport or arranging a carpool for the school run can reduce your impact on the planet too. If you can’t avoid driving, at least make it greener.

3) Practice upcycling

By now, recycling should be a natural part of your lifestyle. However, if you truly want to improve your approach to sustainable living, you need to look at upcycling. For the best results, you try to find products involving natural materials like wood pallets.

This DIY bowling alley shows how this process can be a lot of fun too. Garden furniture is another option for wooden pallets. Giving a new lease of life to synthetic materials works well too as they already exist. Updating outfits or turning toys into kids’ bedroom decor are two options.

4) Focus on the home

You spend more time than any other setting. In truth, you’ve probably spent even more time at home than ever before over the past year due to the pandemic. Therefore, it makes sense to implement green and sustainable changes.

The use of LED lights, double glazing installation, and efficient toilets are all a great starting point. Similarly, protecting the water tank with a jacket or pipes with foam insulation can reduce energy loss. Choosing non-chemical cleaners will further support your health and environment. 

5) Research brands

Direct improvements will lay the foundation for leading a sustainable lifestyle. Still, you must not forget indirect influences. Businesses will have a far bigger impact on the environment than your household.

So, choosing local brands that use ethical manufacturing or sustainable packaging is advised. The sheer knowledge that you have aligned yourself with the right companies will work wonders for your mindset. This will inevitably spur you on to keep making direct upgrades for sustainable living.

The switch to sustainable living isn’t always easy, but new habits can be formed very quickly. You’ve got this!

Photo by Priscilla Du Preez