2019 has proven itself to be the year that people tackle living more sustainably. Whether it be reusable straws replacing disposable ones, or the trend of minimalism, small changes in everyone’s lives can make a huge difference. Here are some ways you can introduce new, sustainable and green habits to your lifestyle.
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First, one of the biggest contributions to waste is disposable cups. Annually, half a trillion disposable cups are manufactured worldwide. Huge fast food companies generate tremendous amounts of waste with disposable cups alone. Therefore, providing your own reusable cup or straw helps to reduce that waste. Some places will even givereward you a discount for doing so.
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To follow that point, reusable shopping bags make a huge difference in the environment with just a little thinking ahead. In the United States, over one hundred billion plastic bags end up in landfills every year. Before going to any store, think ahead and bring a reusable bag to avoid single use bags. Also, you can have fun with it and buy cute ones to hold your groceries or essentials.
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On a third note, a simple switch in your daily routine could be avoiding bottled water. Water is a source that is very easily obtained from the tap, water fountains or a filtration system. Plastic water bottles make up millions of tons of waste; therefore, eliminating just bottled water from your daily routine can make a significant contribution to the environment. If you do not feel comfortable with tap or water fountains as your water source, make an investment and get ain a reusable water filtration system such as a Brita.
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Lastly, the textile industry is a huge contributor to air pollution. Of course, I am not going to discourage you from purchasing the newest trends. However, make your purchases meaningful. People are constantly seeking the newest and latest fashion trends and making quick purchases without a second thought. Minimalism is a concept where you should make buying choices that you are going to use for the long run, not just short-term fashion trends. So next time you are making an impulse purchase because something is on trend, think of long-term wardrobe pieces.
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Sustainable living is whatever you make it to be – what fits best into your daily routine. We only have one planet, and we should take care of it as much as possible. Even if it is splurging on a Brita to replace water bottle or remembering to bring your mug to the coffee shop, it has an impact. Living more sustainably can be done in so many different ways aside from the examples listed. Challenge yourself to make those small changes that lead to huge reductions in your environmental footprint.