7 Simple Tips for Living Sustainably on Earth Day and Beyond

You can’t seem to go anywhere these days without someone or something reminding you that living sustainably is important. Whether you’re scrolling through social media and stumble upon a sustainable living guide, flipping through television channels with home improvement shows that encourage you to reduce, reuse and recycle, or walking through the supermarket where you see all sorts of advertising about organic foods, ecological packaging, and locally sourced merchandise, messages about sustainable living are all around us. If you haven’t done so already, use Earth Day 2024 and these simple tips as your launching point to living sustainably for a brighter future. 

What is Sustainable Living?

The idea behind living sustainably is to reduce your ecological footprint as much as you can. That means adopting everyday habits that have as little impact on the environment as possible, not using resources up quicker than they can be replaced, and taking care of the planet and its people. 

Your Sustainable Living Guide

1. Reduce Water Use - To reduce your water use, consider hand-washing dishes rather than running your dishwasher, turning the shower off while you’re soaping up or shampooing your hair, and washing your car with a bucket instead of running the hose. You can also be quick to fix leaks and buy water-saving appliances. 
2. Conserve Energy - Doing things, such as turning off lights when you’re leaving a room, unplugging non-essential items when not in use, and making sure your house is well insulated, are all part of self-sustainable living. By reducing your energy use, you’ll be doing your part to help the planet. 
3. Pass on Plastic - Plastic is one of the most significant contributors to pollution on the planet, which is why reducing your consumption of plastic goods is vital to sustainable living. Opt for laundry sheets instead of buying a big plastic jug of detergent, carry reusable bags instead of grabbing plastic shopping or produce bags at the supermarket, and shop at Whole Foods stores where you can fill up your containers rather than buying everything in plastic packaging. Every little bit helps on your journey to self-sustainable living. 
4. Grow Your Garden - Growing your food can be one of the most difficult practices to adopt, but it is also one of the most rewarding. If you have the time and space, try your hand at growing produce. Bell peppers, cabbage, cucumbers, tomatoes, and zucchini are fairly easy to grow and they don’t require a lot of maintenance. When you grow your food, not only does it taste better, but it reduces your ecological footprint drastically. 
5. Reduce, Reuse, Repurpose, and Recycle - Since the 1970’s people have been saying the three Rs - Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle, and while the saying is old, the idea is still just as important as it was decades ago. The key is to reduce your consumption of single-use items and instead opt for recyclable options, like reusable cloths, mesh produce bags, and reusable coffee filters and infusers. 
6. Meatless Meals - Living sustainable doesn’t have to mean you go cold turkey on all the things you love. However, reducing what you consume, especially if it’s meat, is a great way to contribute to a more environmentally friendly future. If you aren’t doing so already, aim for meatless meals or meat-free days. Because animal agriculture is so horrible for the environment, by reducing your consumption of meat, you’ll be lessening your impact on the environment. 
7. Vote Responsibly - One of the best ways to ensure your self-sustainable living has the greatest impact is to vote wisely. Support candidates and policies that are environmentally friendly and use your vote to ensure the planet is being cared for. 

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Sustainable Earth Day Activities

With Earth Day 2024 right around the corner, there is no better time than right now to change your ways. If you’re hoping to live a more sustainable life, use these Earth Day activities as a starting point for a more eco-friendly life. 

1. Plant a tree
2. Partake in a beach or park clean-up.
3. Do some spring cleaning and donate used goods to charity.
4. Set up recycling bins or a compost bucket at home. 
5. Support a local environmental non-profit. 
6. Connect with nature. 
7. Replace your bulbs with more eco-friendly options. 
8. Take public transportation. 
9. Plant a pollinator garden.
10. Give grounding a try. 

Earth Day 2024 is the perfect day to start living sustainably. Whether you try little things to make a difference or you adopt completely self-sustainable living, the tips and activities listed above will help you improve your impact on the planet.

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