How to Achieve Sustainable Living? 10 Tips you Should Know

People are fortunate to live in a world that is rich in natural resources. However, with all the innovative trends and industrialization, our lives are put at risk due to some factors like pollution and chemical poisoning. But, there is still hope that we can live in a healthier and safer environment. It's by promoting sustainable living.

What is Sustainability?

The Canadian Encyclopedia defines 'sustainability' as:

"Sustainability is the ability of the biosphere, or a certain resource or practice, to persist in a state of balance over the long term. The concept of sustainability also includes things humans can do to preserve such a balance. Sustainable development, for instance, pairs such actions with growth. It aims to meet the needs of the present while ensuring that future people will be able to meet their needs."

Sustainability includes the use of renewable resources. There are other ways on how to promote sustainable living wherein households and work environments can actively join.

Canada recognizes the importance of its forests; thus, they are implementing measures to protect them. Sustainability indicators serve as a vital tool in evaluating Canadian forests and the benefits they can give to the people.

"Because of their importance, Canada's forests need to be carefully monitored to ensure that any challenges to their health are addressed. Canada recognizes the need to balance in a holistic way the demands placed on its forests so that current and future generations of Canadians can fully benefit", a source mentioned.

What are the Benefits of Sustainable Living?

According to Conserve Energy Future, sustainable living is primarily based on four factors, including the efficient way of using the environment, limiting the utilization of the Earth's natural resources, minimizing waste materials, and ensuring a high-quality and safe living environment. The principles of having sustainable living including but not limited to:

- Sustainable water usage

- Effective utilization of land and wildlife protection

- Using sustainable transport

- Promoting the use of sustainable materials

- Doing activities to create a healthy environment

- Aiming from zero waste and carbon

- Choosing and supporting organic and local foods

- Living a sustainable lifestyle can result in the following benefits:

- Maximizing the efficient use of water and energy

- Development of durable and sustainable materials at home and work

- Having various benefits to the health of humans and animals

- Having a safer planet to live for future generations

- Promoting cost-saving usage of water, lighting, and heating solutions

Teaching our young generations how to promote sustainable living will create massive changes that will benefit the future.

10 Tips to Achieve a Sustainable Living

We all want to live a happy, healthy, and stress-free life. One way to achieve that is to choose sustainable living. Here are some tips to achieve it:

#1 Conserve water and energy.

Water, electricity, and other energy types are some of the most useful resources in the world. These should be used wisely. Learn to conserve them at homes and offices. Install water-efficient bathrooms, water-efficient washers, and other tools like water-saving showerheads.

Instead of using the traditional lamps and fluorescents, opt to use light-emitting diodes(LEDs). They are more cost-efficient and last longer. You can save more energy using LED lamps with the same brightness as the traditional lamps.

#2 Do recycling and upcycling.

Recycling has been a famous term when it comes to protecting the environment. Recycling means converting an item for other purposes. For instance, used bottles and cans can be used as containers. You can subscribe to the various recycling programs and websites that promote sustainable living.

On the other hand, upcycling refers to the process of reusing an item without reducing its value. For example, converting your old pants into a shopping bag.

Both recycling and upcycling can contribute to the reduction of wastes in households and offices. Promoting these two processes can aid in the reduction of the world’s waste materials.

#3 Do gardening; grow your own herbs and vegetables

Isn't it a wonderful feeling when you do not need to buy foods in the market because you already have plants and vegetables in your garden? Having your own garden does not only help you save money, but it also contributes to protecting the environment. Choose to use organic fertilizers to avoid the bad effects of chemicals on your health. Gardening does not require you to have a large space. As a matter of fact, you can grow vegetables and other crops in used cans and bottles. It is a rewarding feeling when you start harvesting and eating your crops as the fruit of your labour. This is undoubtedly a sustainable way of living.

#4 Patronize local products and produce

It is also helpful when you support local produce and products in your area. Choose to buy fruits and vegetables, as well as goods that are produced and made by the people in your area. This will help lessen the pollution caused by several means of transportation.

#5 Walk or use a bike instead of using a public transport

You can walk or bike when going to work or a place near your place as much as possible. Aside from the fact that it can help you exercise, it will also reduce public vehicles' carbon emissions.

#6 Practice proper disposal of waste

Proper disposal of waste is an integral factor when it comes to achieving sustainable living. Learn how to segregate the garbage properly- biodegradable vs non-biodegradable. Make sure also that your home is free from harmful substances such as poisons, solvents, and cleaning products. Coordinate with your local garbage management unit to ensure proper c=collection and disposal of wastes.

#7 Go paperless

Whether your job is at home or in an office, choosing to go paperless will be a big help. You can have lesser bulks of paper, thus, resulting in a more clutter-free workstation. Aside from that, there will be lesser trees to be cut to produce paper materials. Use digital platforms to save your files like Dropbox, Google Drive, and cloud-based storage.

#8 Choosing to use eco-friendly accessories.

You should choose eco-friendly materials at home, office, and even for your fashion statements as much as possible. For instance, using pots made from clothes and cement will be better than plastic pots for your plants. Buy eco-friendly accessories such as wooden sunglasses and wooden watches. They are unique, stylish, and of course, sustainable.

#9 Do smart shopping

Be wise when shopping for household goods. Choose to buy in bulk instead of by pieces or retail. Read the labels and make sure that there are no harmful elements included in the ingredients. When buying appliances and equipment, choose to purchase energy-efficient items. Avoid plastics, go for natural and organic materials.

#10 Bring your own bag when shopping

The world is now eventually waking up to the truth of how harmful plastics are to the environment. More and more companies and stores are prohibiting plastics when shopping or using them in our daily activities. Choose to use eco-friendly bags when doing your grocery shopping. You can also have reusable bags- totes and large bags- both practical and stylish in design. However, avoid buying a new bag every time you go shopping; that will no longer be sustainable. Clean and keep them every after use.

Final Thoughts

It is essential to remember that living sustainably does not mean that you should live without the things you enjoy and love doing. We just need to evaluate which items and practices in our lifestyle that we should improve. A small change in how we live can create a massive impact on the environment, creating a more sustainable world for future generations.