When it comes to combating climate change and making a difference, it can be easy to get overwhelmed by the seemingly endless number of changes you can make to live a more sustainable lifestyle. In the end, most people opt to do none of it.
But here’s a secret: it’s almost impossible to live a perfectly sustainable lifestyle in which your carbon footprint is zero.
You don’t have to entirely change your lifestyle to be a vegan who only shops at thrift stores. Instead, start with small changes in areas that are attainable. Saving the planet isn’t an all-or-nothing effort; your willingness to live just a fraction of your life more sustainably than before can have profound benefits on the environment. After all, nobody is perfect and any change is better than no change.
Here are some tips to live an imperfectly eco-friendly lifestyle:
When you eat at home, you have control over what ingredients you use and how much waste you are producing. But we know it’s only human if you feel like DoorDashing your comfort meal or getting takeout from your favorite restaurant every once in a while.
So when you order in or get takeout, one way to be more environmentally conscious is to keep the containers and reuse them as containers!
Life is messy and things break. But if you have something in your home that breaks or clothes that tear, instead of tossing them in the trash, whip out your sewing kit or superglue and make it a DIY project. You’ll save money and the planet.
Don’t know what to do with those jeans or sweaters sitting in the back of your closet? Sell them! In fact, giving your clothes to a new owner may be more sustainable than donating them, as 84% of clothes in thrift stores still end up in landfills.
At some point or another, we’ve all gone to the grocery store only to realize we left our reusable bags at home. Don’t sweat it – just add the plastic grocery bags to your collection when you get home, instead of throwing them out. Keeping your plastic bags can come in handy the next time you go shopping!
Go to your local Target or any supermarket and grab refillable hand soap dispensers. You can save money, reduce plastic waste and continue to use your favorite scented soaps without harming the environment.
Cut down on plastic waste by bringing your own reusable cup the next time you go to Starbucks. In fact, you can get a discount when you bring your own cup. So save money and the earth by ditching single-use coffee cups.