Even though daily carbon emissions were down 5% last summer, COVID-19 is still harmful to our environment. For this reason, everyone must do their part by implementing sustainable practices into their everyday lives.
Whether this is the beginning of your eco-friendly journey or you’re looking to add another habit to your repertoire, there are so many different areas of your life in which you can incorporate environmentally-friendly actions. To get several ideas about how you can practice sustainability, keep on reading.
1. Get Outside
You’ll likely feel more compelled to reduce your carbon footprint if you spend more time in nature. Activities like walking, biking, and hiking have become very popular since social distancing has become a part of life.
They’re an affordable and eco-friendly way to spend time with family or clear your thoughts. Not to mention, you might find yourself appreciating nature more than ever.
2. Purchase Items with Reusable Packaging
Since it is hard to find a zero-waste store in the U.S., the next best thing to do is purchase items that have a glass or aluminum packaging. You can repurpose these containers once you don’t need to store the original product anymore. Plus, once you recycle them, they’ll break down quicker than plastic.
3. Wear a Reusable Mask
The number of disposable masks you use starts to add up quickly, increasing the amount of waste you produce. Instead, invest in a reusable mask. Not only is it a more sustainable option, but it’s worth the difference in cost.
Additionally, washing your face mask is super easy. All you need is liquid soap and essential oils to get it clean and fresh again.
4. Use Less Water and Electricity
Because you have been home more than usual, you might find that your water and electricity bill has increased. Try scaling back on these resources by taking shorter showers, unplugging your electronic devices when you aren’t using them, and using cold water to wash your laundry.
5. Grow Your Own Food or Compost
If you’re feeling ambitious, you can grow and compost your food. You don’t need to have a large outside space to do this, either.
Planting herbs in a small pot and putting them by a window is one small way to reduce the amount of food waste you produce. Furthermore, you can keep worms and soil in huge bins and throw your food scraps in there. The worms will break down your leftovers and create fertile soil for you to use.
Practice Sustainability at Your Own Pace
When you try to incorporate a new habit into your life, you might feel compelled to jump right in. However, to make sustainability a lasting part of your life, start small and slowly.
Pick one of the ideas off this list and challenge yourself to achieve it one or two times. Once you do, you can add more days and start to make it part of your lifestyle. If you liked this article, check out the rest of our blog on our website.
