Seven Easy Ways to Be More Sustainable

In light of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day, I wanted to share seven ways you can be more sustainable every day. I am not perfectly sustainable in every aspect of my life, but I’m learning and growing and stay motivated by reminding myself that perfect is the enemy of good, that something is better than nothing. I think it can get super overwhelming when we start reading up on all the many ways we are harming the environment that we’re left paralyzed, but small changes can make all the difference, and it’s important to just get started. You don’t have to upend your life all at once!

So without further ado, here are seven easy, almost effortless changes you can make to your lifestyle to make it more eco-conscious.

Take reusable totes with you to the grocery store. I always keep several reusable totes in the car or in my backpack in case of impromptu runs to the grocery store. Most grocery stores will also give you a small discount for bringing your own bag. You can use whatever bags you already have at home, but if you’re looking for a super portable, low profile option, I love these reusable totes from Baggu. They fold up into a tiny pouch, so I can carry several in my backpack without charging up too much space.

Go paperless. Sign up for paperless billing and unsubscribe from all mailing lists that regularly send you catalogs or other junk mail. Also ask for an email receipt whenever possible.

Say farewell to plastic straws. Trust me, I know what you’re thinking. I too have yet to meet a paper or plant-based straw that comes close to the functionality of a plastic straw. The paper straw becomes mush before I finish my drink, and the plant-based straw snaps with even a little pressure. For those of you like me who drink exclusively iced coffee and don’t want to stain your teeth, going strawless isn’t an option. Enter the metal straw! Made of stainless steel, these obviously keep their shape and don’t affect the taste of whatever beverage you’re enjoying. They’re also super easy to clean. We have this set at home, which includes both bendable and straight styles. For an on-the-go, more portable substitute, I recommend these collapsible silicone straws! They come with a cute Airpod-like case that you can clip to your key fob or bag. I love that there’s a brush included, so you can clean it immediately after use. If you want to try glass straws, this is a great set.

Eat less meat. I love my meat, but since learning about how much GWP (Global Warming Potential) gases are emitted by the livestock sector (according to a United Nations study, the livestock sector accounts for nine percent of CO2 deriving from human-related activities), I’ve been going meatless at least once a week. Since doing so, I’ve learned just how delicious a well-cooked vegetable can be and have been filling any protein gaps with eggs and/or seafood.

Reduce, reuse, and recycle unwanted clothing. Don’t throw out your old clothes! Donate them, host a clothing swap with friends, or sell them on secondhand reseller platforms. I also cut up old T-shirts and use them as cleaning rags around the house. For fancier occasions like a wedding, borrow a dress from a friend or Rent the Runway instead of buying a dress you’re only going to wear once or twice! Finally, reuse what you already own. Try to see each piece in a new light and style it differently, so it feels fresh.

Reduce your household energy consumption. Turn off the lights whenever you leave the room and turn off power strips when you’re not using them. Next time you need to replace your light bulbs, replace them with compact fluorescent light bulbs, which last about five times longer than standard incandescent bulbs and use less electricity. Your wallet will thank you too! Bonus points if you get an eco-friendly brand that uses recycled glass and packaging material.

Reduce water waste. Cut back on your bottle water purchases and invest in a water filter if your local tap water isn’t the best (oh how I miss living in NYC!). You’ll save money in the long run (notice a theme here?) and unnecessary trips to the grocery store. We have two of these PUR filters at home, one of which we keep in the fridge because Luke, contrary to his namesake, prefers cold water whereas I prefer my water lukewarm. If you’re looking for a faucet filter, I recommend this one. If you are looking for a more ~aEsThEtiC option, I used to own the SOMA filter, and it leaves the water tasting as good as the PUR. We just made the switch because the PUR holds more water and has an easy water dispenser.

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