10 easy ways to live life more sustainably

You only have two places to live: Your body & the earth. Take care of both.

The idea of switching to sustainable living can sound overwhelming. Entirely eliminating waste from a house seems impossible, & I can’t even imagine how long an hour-long commute would take when ridden on a bicycle. But there are some small changes we can all make to help save our planet, & many of them won’t even affect the flow of your daily life.

Read on for 10 easy changes you can make in your life today to start living more sustainably.

1. Switch to Alt Linen

I know there are some spills that you just want to mop up with a paper towel & throw away, so the idea of switching to a cloth towel can be unappealing. But Alt Linen makes it worth it. When your towel gets too dirty to clean, you can send it back to the company, & they will send you a new one free of charge! Not only is it good for the earth, but I guarantee you will save money that would have been spent on endless rolls of paper towels that would have just been thrown away. Learn more about Alt Linen here.

2. Use reusable lunch bags & containers instead of plastic throw-aways

I know it’s more cleaning, but it’s worth it. There is so much plastic waste on our earth, & using reusable containers & bags is an easy way to limit your own waste contribution. Plus, there are super cute containers out there that honestly make me happy when I eat out of them. Lunchtime just got a lot more fun & eco-friendly.

3. Use a reusable water bottle

To me, this one is a no-brainer. No matter what I am drinking, I can use a reusable bottle. And I can’t even tell you how much money I save by just filling up my water bottle at the sink instead of buying countless plastic bottles that are going to litter the earth. You can get a super cute water bottle, too, with little reminders to help you stay hydrated, so it’s good for your health, too.

4. Turn off lights when you leave the room

And while you’re at it, unplug appliances that you aren’t currently using. Of course, the refrigerator & stove should stay plugged in, but the blender sitting on the counter? It’s not doing you any good to keep that outlet in use. Save some energy & lower your monthly bill by turning off the lights & unplugging the electronics & appliances you aren’t currently using.

5. Eat less meat

Meat production is a contributor of climate change. You don’t have to go entirely vegan, vegetarian or plant-based, but consider eating less meat & subbing in plant-based sources of protein, such as beans, that contribute to the earth’s health. Or, if you think you will miss the meat too much, buy from local farmer’s who use sustainable growing practices. And make sure that food doesn’t go to waste! Eat your leftovers for lunch, or store them in the freezer for another day.

6. Use environmentally-friendly cleaning products

This is an easy one to implement. Instead of using products loaded with chemicals that are bad for your health & the environment, try products made with all-natural ingredients. Brands like The Honest Company, Mrs. Meyer’s, & Ecos create safe, plant-based cleaners that use bio-degradable ingredients.

7. Use LED lights instead of incandescent

LED lights last longer than incandescent, which means less wasted light bulbs. Additionally, they are more energy-efficient, which means they are better for the earth & your electric bill.

8. Put a “No Junk Mail” sign on your mailbox

To be completely honest, I just learned about this, so I haven’t tried it yet, but I am excited to give it a shot! Junk mail is annoying, & it’s a waste of paper. Save the earth & avoid having to sift through junk mail by putting a “No Junk Mail” sign on your mailbox.

9. Buy a water-saving shower head

It’s so easy to waste water without thinking about it. A water-saving shower head will help you save water by giving you the option to adjust the water pressure. If you don’t want to invest in a shower head, set a timer before you take a shower & challenge yourself to finish the shower before the timer goes off.

10. Use reusable grocery bags

Reduce plastic waste by using reusable cloth grocery bags. They also hold a lot more food, which means less trips back & forth between the house & the car carrying in groceries.

Living sustainably is good for you & the earth! And as my dad always told me, “The best day to implement change is yesterday. The second best day is today.”