101 Ways To Live A Greener, More Sustainable Lifestyle
Sustainable living is a way of life that focuses on preserving the planet’s natural resources and reducing our impact on the environment. This can include everything from reducing waste and using eco-friendly products to supporting sustainable businesses and choosing to live a more minimalist lifestyle.
Whether you’re looking to completely change the way you do things or you’re just looking for a few ideas on how to live a little more sustainably, check out our 101 tips below.
Around the Home and Garden
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1. Save your laundry to always run a full load
2. Use the half flush on your toilet where possible
3. Collect shower water in a bucket while it heats up to water plants (and keep collecting even after it’s warm if you use natural cosmetics)
4. Take care of your household appliances to prolong their lifespan
5. Put on a sweater instead of turning on the heating
6. Upcycle second-hand furniture (not only will this look awesome, but you’ll have a one-of-a-kind piece)
7. Turn off the tap while brushing your teeth
8. Use compostable or natural fiber sponges and cloths for cleaning
9. Make your own homemade cleaning products to avoid nasty chemicals
10. Use concentrated cleaning fluids and tablets to avoid flying unnecessary water around the world
11. Switch off lights and electronics when not in use
12. Replace plastic straws with metal or paper ones
13. Buy household cleaning products and cosmetics in bulk and refill dispensers (it’s better for the environment and cheaper!)
14. Replace bottled soap with a soap bar
15. Use energy-efficient LED light bulbs
16. Replace plastic wrap with wax wraps or silicone lids
17. Check out your local recycling requirements to ensure you’re recycling properly
18. Use rechargeable batteries
19. Avoid nasty pesticides in the garden
20. Plant flowers in your garden or on your balcony to encourage bees
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21. Have lots of houseplants (check out our guide to growing an apartment garden)
22. Get your milk delivered in glass bottles
23. Wash with a full dishwasher instead of washing up and always set to eco mode
24. Purchase appliances with high energy-efficient ratings
25. Re-use scrap paper where possible
26. Avoid using trash bags if possible or use reusable/biodegradable bags
27. Wash your clothes at a lower temperature
28. Open windows and close blinds instead of opting for air conditioning
29. Used salvaged wood for home furniture projects
30. Don’t print unless you absolutely have to
31. Replace kitchen roll with washable cloths
32. Use a bidet or recycled toilet roll
33. Say no to junk mail
34. Get solar panels for your home
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35. Buy from certified B corporations
36. Insulate your home properly or use draft excluders for your doors
37. Make homemade gifts for your friends and family
38. Sell or give away unwanted items. One person’s trash is another’s treasure
39. Dispose of hazardous waste correctly
40. Have shorter showers or a reasonable bath
41. Fix water leaks to limit unknown wastage
42. Get a water but to collect rainwater for your garden
43. Make an eco-friendly Christmas tree
44. Send e-cards in place of paper cards
45. Buy second-hand furniture
46. Repurpose old sheets and clothes as rags
47. Recycle or donate old electrical items
48. Nurture your garden with organic fertilizers
49. Use low or VOC-free paint to decorate your home
Grocery Shopping and Cooking
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50. Be inventive with leftovers to avoid food wastage
51. Grow your own vegetables
52. Shop local to buy fresher food that hasn’t traveled as far
53. Take refill tubs to buy loose food rather than packaged items
54. Plan ahead with meals to buy only what you need
55. Shop little and for fresh food often to avoid wastage
56. Start your own garden compost
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57. Have meat-free days
58. Use loose tea instead of tea bags
59. Cook meals in bulk, saving your energy consumption
60. Replace dairy with plant alternatives
61. Eat organic fruit and vegetables
62. Take your own tubs to collect a takeaway
63. Steam rather than boil vegetables
64. Cook meals with seasonal ingredients
Fashion and Beauty
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65. Make your own natural cosmetics
66. Only buy natural beauty products from ethical brands
67. Buy second-hand clothing from a thrift store
68. Let your hair dry naturally instead of using a hairdryer
69. Use reusable makeup pads instead of cotton wool
70. Replace wet wipes with reusable, washable cloths
71. Use a bamboo toothbrush
72. Ditch disposable razors
73. Line-dry your clothes instead of using the dryer
74. Use a reusable tampon applicator, menstrual cup, or reusable pants
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75. Mend your clothing instead of throwing it away
76. Donate clothes to charity or repurpose them for rags
77. Avoid cosmetics, food, and household products that contain palm oil (unless ethically sourced)
78. Shop less but buy better
79. Buy clothes made only from sustainable materials
80. Swap or borrow clothes with your friends and family
81. Use a handkerchief instead of disposable tissues
82. Invest in a capsule wardrobe
83. Avoid buying clothes that require dry cleaning
Travel and Lifestyle
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84. Ride a bike instead of driving
85. Car share with a colleague to work
86. Use a reusable water bottle
87. Take reusable bags to the supermarket
88. Use a reusable coffee cup
89. Ride public transport instead of using the car
90. Get books from your local library or used book store instead of buying new
91. Opt-in for email communications for your bills and correspondence
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92. Pick up litter when you’re out and about
93. Vacation locally instead of flying long-haul
94. Avoid travel minis by decanting larger toiletries into reusable bottles
95. Pack as lightly as possible for your vacations
96. Offset your carbon emissions when flying
97. Request less frequent changing of bed sheets and towels in hotels
98. Drive more conservatively. Excessive breaking and accelerating use more fuel
99. Take a packed lunch instead of buying a plastic-wrapped sandwich
100. Maintain your vehicle for better efficiency and less fuel consumption
101. Purchase an electric or hybrid car
Overall, sustainable living is about making small changes in your daily life that reduces your impact on the environment. By supporting sustainable businesses, reducing waste, and choosing eco-friendly products, we can all do our part to preserve the planet for future generations.
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