7 Sustainable Living Ideas That Will Elevate Your Life

Living more sustainably is better for both you and the environment. Plus, it just makes you feel good to know that you’re doing all you can to care for the planet, even in small ways. These sustainable living ideas can help you lead a more fulfilling life, knowing that you’re benefitting the world.

1. Be Discerning With Products

Before buying something from a brand you haven’t bought from before, make sure to do your research on the company. You’d feel better supporting companies committed to sustainable farming practices, whether it’s catching fish or harvesting from the land responsibly. Similarly, you can opt for products that rely on less plastic. When you purchase produce, consider opting for ones without plastic packaging. Being more mindful of the products you consume can help lower your carbon footprint.

2. Use Less Water

You may be used to turning the faucet off when you aren’t actively using the water, but there are several ways you can continue to conserve water by altering your lifestyle slightly. For example, instead of letting meat thaw in a sink full of water, put it in the fridge the night before so it can thaw out slowly. You can also decrease the amount of time you spend in the shower, allowing you to save five or more gallons of water, depending on how long you spend in it. Baths typically use much more water than showers, so you should opt for showers whenever you can.

3. Replace Your Lightbulbs

When your lightbulbs burn out, do you replace them with the exact same kind? If you still have any halogen or incandescent lightbulbs in your home, you can switch to LED bulbs for more light and less energy use. The result will give you a light that brightens your space more and lasts for years longer than its counterparts.

The money saved from switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs far outweighs the upfront cost of switching to more eco-friendly bulbs. Especially since LED bulbs last longer, they’re a better investment for every household. Changing lightbulbs is a tedious task, so not worrying about them for years while benefitting the environment is an excellent option.

4. Consume Less Meat

Meat, especially red meat, like cattle, takes up many resources to raise. Plus, cattle release methane gas into the air. Methane gas isn’t as big of an issue as other greenhouse gases, but it could still cause concern, especially with the effects of deforestation on making pastures. Cutting back on red meat could be as simple as adding “Meatless Monday” to your meal planning cycle. Meat is getting more expensive due to a push against climate change, so any budget-savvy, eco-friendly household should opt for at least a couple of meatless meals.

5. Choose Greener Methods of Transportation

Another of the easiest sustainable living ideas is to transition from a single-person vehicle to greener methods of getting where you need to go. You could always carpool with a friend somewhere to save on gas, especially when gas prices are on the rise. 

Alternatively, if bikes become a more prevalent form of transportation, more bike paths will be created instead of paved roads, which is a better alternative for the environment. While biking may not be feasible in all communities, it’s an easy way to stay fit while reducing your carbon footprint and the amount of carbon emissions in the air overall.

6. Wait Before Making Purchases

Impulse spending leads to purchases you may not necessarily need — or even want after the newness wears off. Adding things to your cart and letting them sit there for a while can help you decide whether you really need the item. Shopping online makes it incredibly easy for you to obtain things you definitely don’t need. Fighting the impulse and letting it sit in your cart will allow you to assess whether you need it for sure. That way, you can keep your home free of excess waste and save some money.

7. Make Meaningful Purchases

When you make large purchases, ensure you’re investing in sustainable living ideas that will last you for years. Before buying another gas-guzzling car, you should do your research and see if an electric vehicle or hybrid car would work better for your lifestyle. Similarly, if you plan to renovate your home, consider installing solar panels on your roof. While alternate forms of energy might be expensive right now, their prices are steadily dropping and will soon be more affordable to the general public.

Sustainable Living Ideas Will Inspire Change

Once you know that you can live an eco-friendly lifestyle by making just a few changes in your life, you may be tempted to take on all of these sustainable living ideas at once. Making too many changes won’t be a sustainable routine in the long term. Instead, work on implementing one or two of these suggestions, and once you feel comfortable with the changes you’ve made, include others. The road to sustainable living isn’t always easy, but it’s always worthwhile.