Sustainable Living
Extremely Easy Eco-Friendly Daily Habits To Adopt Today
Incorporating a love for the environment into your daily routine is massively beneficial. By giving back to the planet, you are ultimately giving back to yourself and your community. We all live on the Earth; it’s up to all of us to take care of it.
However, we are aware that no one can single-handedly tackle climate change. Nor would we ever ask anyone to! That’s why we’ve compiled a list of simple, small things you can incorporate into your day-to-day to help do your bit. So let’s get stuck into some eco-friendly daily habits.
TAKE A BREAK FROM DEVICES
Are you one of those people who have the TV on constantly? Some of us are the same! It can be comforting to have background noise, or simply to catch up on shows while you’re working, but remember to switch it off now and then.
Same with your phones and ipads. Reducing your carbon footprint is essential in combatting climate change. It’s also good for your mental health! Taking a break from social media can be very refreshing and can massively help to reduce social burnout.
CUT DOWN YOUR PLASTIC USE
This is one of the easiest, and by far one of the most essential, ways to become more eco-friendly in your day-to-day. Plastic fills landfills to the brim; plastic isn’t always recyclable and excess of it can only bring detriment to the planet.
Swap out plastic bottles for reusable bottles, don’t opt for toys with lots of tiny disposable plastic parts for your little ones ( these can also be unsafe if accidentally ingested so best to avoid them entirely ) and switch out some basic daily amenities. For example, you can use beeswax wrap instead of cling film wrap.
SWITCH TO AN ECO-FRIENDLY TOOTHBRUSH
This is one of our simplest eco-friendly daily habits. Everyone needs to brush their teeth, twice or more daily, so why not swap out your toothbrush for one kinder to the environment?
Bamboo brushes are made out of recycled material. Not only this, they are easy to recycle when you yourself are done with them. If you’d rather have a toothbrush that will last, look for electric toothbrushes with replaceable and recyclable heads.
USE ECO-FRIENDLY CLEANING PRODUCTS
Most of us don’t think too heavily about what’s in our cleaning products. If they’re reviewed highly and well-trusted by many, what’s the harm? Often nothing, however: detergents, anti-bacterial wipes and foaming agents are often loaded with toxic chemicals.
These chemicals wash into our oceans and seas when we dispose of them. This is detrimental as it quickly poisons water, damaging ecosystems and threatening wildlife. It can also seep back into the food and drink supply of humans. Switch to products with sustainable, non-synthetic ingredients if you can. You can even make your own anti-bacterial sprays out of basic materials like lemon and vinegar.
INVEST IN AN ELECTRIC CAR
Electric cars may not be for everyone. Additionally, this may not fully fit our eco-friendly daily habits ( as not everyone drives daily ) but it’s definitely worth a mention.
Petrol and diesel vehicles contribute massively to excess CO2 emissions. Ideally, we need to cut them down almost entirely to preserve the planet. Electric cars are a much more sustainable way to drive. On the other hand, you can always invest in learning to ride a bike or become familiar with the public transport routes near you.
RECYCLE YOUR CLOTHES
The UK alone produces millions of tons of textile and clothing waste annually. That’s a staggering amount of wasted clothing! Clothes and fabric often take years to decompose, releasing harmful greenhouse gases the entire time.
There’s a simple way to avoid contributing to this. Don’t throw away wearable clothes! If they can be reworn, give them to a friend or family member. Or donate them to charity. You can even get certain articles repaired if you’re attached to them, or donate the fabric from old, torn clothing to be made into something new.
SWAP OUT PLASTIC BAGS
We’ve spoken before about the impact of plastic bags on the environment. Not only do they poison the environment as a whole, they can also trap and kill individual wildlife, threatening local ecosystems.
A good tote bag will last you months. A sturdy reusable shopping bag may last you years. Not only do you benefit from helping the environment, but you can also look stylish as well, as it’s much easier to match reusable cloth bags to your outfit.
STOP NEEDLESSLY USING COTTON BUDS
Ever used a cotton bud when you don’t really need to? It’s immediately thrown into the bin afterwards. From there, it goes straight to a landfill and contributes to plastic pollution.
Buy eco-friendly cotton swabs for when you really need them. These are biodegradable and don’t threaten the environment as much. Remember to only use them when necessary!
BUY LOOSE PRODUCE
Ever been to a supermarket and notices the selections of plastic-wrapped fruit and veg vs the loose fruit and veg? Buying loose fruit and veg is, perhaps unsurprisingly, much better for the environment.
Bring your own bags next time you do your big shop. Various retailers like Asda sell specific cloth bags for bagging loose fruit. When you buy plastic-wrapped fruit and veg, most of the time it’s pointless and can even worsen the state of the produce. Besides – bananas and oranges have their own natural wrapping. There’s no need to add more. Equally, you should usually be washing your fruit and veg before you eat it anyway, so there should be minimal concerns about strangers handling your produce before you eat it.
Ready to invest in a more thorough eco-friendly hobby? Why not try your hand at growing vegetables?
