There’s much you can do in your everyday life to embrace a more eco-friendly lifestyle. Meeting current population needs without compromising future generations means a move toward sustainability.
Sustainability starts by adopting increasingly eco-friendly patterns or habits that consider the environmental impact of our decisions. We can improve the future of the planet and its inhabitants through the responsible use of resources, waste reduction, and preservation efforts. It’s also worth seeking out gas and energy providers who put sustainability first, investing in and supporting eco-friendly initiatives.
Our sustainable living guide is here to help, with practical tips and insights to help you establish greener, cleaner habits. Whether you’ve already committed to sustainable practices or you’re just beginning to make a more positive change, there are always opportunities to make a difference with your daily choices.
Ways to Make Your Home More Sustainable
You can do much to reduce your ecological footprint when implementing environmentally friendly practices in your home. Here are some tips to make your home more sustainable.
1. Waste Less
You can reduce waste by using responsible waste-reduction tactics in your home. Practice recycling, composting, and reusing jars and other items rather than throwing them in the trash.
2. Reduce Single-Use Plastics
Many companies make packages and containers out of plastic, typically tossed after just one use. It’s helpful to reuse these items when you can, but avoiding them entirely whenever possible is far better.
3. Switch to Energy Efficiency
To minimize your home’s energy consumption, install energy-efficient light bulbs, unplug electronics when not in use, and consider using smart power strips for electronics and appliances. Look for energy-efficient appliances, and when it’s time to upgrade your heating and cooling system, consider an energy-efficient HVAC system.
4. Conserve Water
Water conservation is more than just taking shorter showers. Make sure to fix leaky faucets and install low-flow faucets and showerheads where possible. To do more, collect bathing water or rainwater to water plants.
5. Choose Eco-Friendly Materials
Choose environmentally friendly materials like glass, metal, recycled plastic, cardboard, sustainable bamboo, and wood for furniture, cookware, flatware, packaging, and other household items.
How to Live More Sustainably Every Day
While self-sustained living often starts at home, a sustainable lifestyle goes beyond what happens in your household. These tips can help you incorporate sustainability into your routine no matter where you are:
6. Use Efficient Technology
Energy-efficient devices consume less electricity than standard counterparts or other options. Tablets, for example, use less energy than laptops and desktop computers for simple tasks, and portable speakers with Energy Star ratings are more efficient than alternative devices.
7. Shop Sustainably
Locally sourced and organic products have a smaller footprint. As you shop, choose reusable shopping bags and try to support brands that use ethical business practices to maximize your impact as a consumer.
8. Clean Up Your Diet
The food you eat can help or hurt the environment. As often as possible, choose plant-based meals, support local markets, minimize your food waste, and try to start home-grown fruits, vegetables, and herbs.
Support Sustainable Travel
You can utilize eco-friendly tips from this sustainable living guide even on the road. Traveling with sustainability in mind is crucial, and these tips for greener transportation can help:
9. Use Eco-Friendly Transportation
Because it’s already running regularly, public transportation is much more environmentally friendly than taking an individual vehicle. Choose the bus, train, or a carpool arrangement when possible; walk or bike on shorter commutes.
10. Book Green Accommodations
Stay in eco-friendly hotels, lodges, and vacation rentals that prioritize waste reduction and energy conservation. While you’re there, minimize daily cleanings and disposable travel items.
11. Minimize Carbon Emissions
If you can avoid airline travel, opt for trains or buses instead. If the only way to reach your destination is by plane, determine which airlines offer carbon offset programs. This is one way you can help reduce the impact of carbon emissions.
12. Respect Local Environments
While at your destination, practice responsible tourism—especially in natural areas. Always stay on designated paths, dispose of waste properly, and consider participating in local conservation initiatives.
How to Make Your Workplace More Sustainable
You can make a difference in your workplace regarding greener practices. Consider implementing these tips for you and your entire organization:
13. Implement Recycling Programs
Paper usage is often high in many offices and places of business. Encourage your employer to put recycling bins where employees can access them, and suggest reducing paper products altogether in favor of digital solutions.
14. Encourage Energy Conservation
Energy efficiency is just as important in the workplace. Recommend energy-saving habits like relying on natural light rather than artificial light sources and using heating and cooling systems wisely, turning them off when spaces are not in use.
15. Advocate for Green Initiatives
Do what you can to encourage your employer to participate in or use the company’s resources to support energy sustainability initiatives, whether through monetary donations or employee volunteer efforts. You can also suggest that the company look for energy providers that already engage in these initiatives.
16. Commit to Green Commutes
Find ways to make the commute to the workplace more environmentally friendly. This can involve organizing a carpool system, incentivizing employees to use public transportation, or telecommuting for at least several days per week.
More Ways to Help Protect the Environment
Eco-friendly actions, no matter how small, can make a significant difference in ways outlined in this sustainable living guide. You may have great ideas, too, and every effort counts. As you commit to living more sustainably, these guiding principles can help you as a starting point no matter where you direct your efforts:
- Support organizations using environmentally friendly practices.
- Spread the word about environmental issues.
- Advocate for change in your community and with your representatives.
- Contribute to green spaces in your community.
- Make small swaps in your routine for eco-friendly alternatives.
- Find ways to minimize and conserve resources.
Remember, there are always things you can do to live more sustainably and make a difference, even through small, everyday actions.
To make an even more meaningful impact, it’s important to look for a gas and energy provider dedicated to sustainability, supporting environmental initiatives, and contributing to energy solutions that prioritize the well-being of both people and the planet.
An eco-friendly energy plan is a big step in supporting a more sustainable future. Discover how Kiwi Energy can help you with energy conservation. Enroll in one of our plans or contact us to learn more about our efforts to support the planet.
Find more energy-saving tips on the Kiwi Energy blog.
