10 Easy Eco Friendly Habits You Can Make Today to Live More Sustainably

Sustainability doesn’t have to be hard or expensive. 

It’s not unusual to get overwhelmed when thinking about all the ways we waste or negatively impact the environment.  On some level it seems hopeless and sometimes it can be easy to think ‘why bother?’ or ‘what difference is it going to make?’  To make things even more difficult, so many so-called ‘green solutions’ can cost an arm and a leg.  Well, I’m here to tell you, stop stressing!  Yes, we should always be striving to make more sustainable choices and purchases, but it doesn’t have to require a lot of effort or money.

By making small changes to everyday habits, your efforts multiply. Simply by using a reusable coffee cup, you can save upwards of 165 disposable cups a year that would otherwise end up in a landfill for decades to come!  A small habit done every day is more effective than a big change that doesn’t last.

It doesn’t have to be expensive either. Switching to small reusable items can save hundreds of dollars annually, year after year. Now that we are feeling a little better about everything, read on for 10 easy eco friendly habits that add up to a major victory.

Reusable water bottles.

Carry a reusable water bottle or a reusable anything for that matter!  Keeping a small handful of reusable items that replace everyday disposable items is a big deal.  In your purse, car, backpack or even your pocket, you can easily fit items like a foldable pocket tote, bamboo or metal utensils, reusable water bottle or coffee mug.  Small changes made everyday add up to have a big impact!  

It's estimated that “Americans purchase about 50 billion water bottles per year, averaging about 13 bottles per month for every person in the U.S.! That means by using a reusable water bottle, you could save an average of 156 plastic bottles annually.”

You can save over $1,300 a year just by switching to a reusable water bottle. That’s a nice weekend getaway!

Say no to receipts.

While most people don’t think much of a small slip of paper, saying ‘no’ to a receipt going forward is one of the easiest changes you can make that will have a positive impact on the environment.  A simple receipt contributes to deforestation as well as energy and water consumption.  Furthermore, the thermal coating on modern receipts make them very difficult to recycle and I’ll bet you didn’t know, those magical thermal pieces of paper are coated with BPA, a substance known to cause a myriad of health problems just from exposure.  Next time ask for a digital receipt and skip the paper.

Switch to LED bulbs.

What do you mean you haven’t done this yet?  If you are one of the few people who haven’t made the switch yet, I highly recommend you do this asap.  With rising energy costs, this one is a no-brainer.  It’s estimated that LED lights use about 20% of the energy of an incandescent bulb and they last way longer, compounding your savings.  If keeping a few extra bucks in your wallet isn’t good enough, LED bulbs produce less heat, lower your air conditioning demand, do not contain hazardous mercury, unlike CFL bulbs, have superior brightness and allow for customizable brightness and color.

Compost your food scraps.

Food waste is the single largest source of waste in the U.S.  According to the EPA it accounts for over 24% of the waste stream.  And while you might think it might decompose in the landfill and somehow find its way back to dirt, it does not.  Most landfills are ‘dry’ landfills lined with a plastic barrier so hazardous components do not leach into the ground and ultimately, our drinking water.  Think of a massive plastic trash bag. Even without a liner, there is no aeration, microbes, etc to allow for the decomposition of food materials in landfills.  Simply, conditions aren’t right.  

Studies have also shown that the nutritional value of food grown today is significantly lower than it was in the 40’s and 50’s contributing to nutritional deficits in the population.  Returning food scraps back to the earth, returns nutrients for new plants, food sources for animals, bugs and microbes and reduces methane produced in landfills.

Make the change and begin composting whenever you can.  Starting a compost area in your yard is easy to do.  You don’t need much space.  Many towns and villages even have composting programs that pick up or allow you to drop off bags of food scraps.  Learn more about composting in this Composting 101 article.

Unplug unused devices.

You may be coming across this idea a little more often these days.  Appliances and devices that are not in use, but that are still plugged in, actually continue to draw power.  It’s due to a little something called standby mode and the more appliances and devices that we get that are tied to the internet, the worse this problem is going to get.  While it is difficult to pin down exactly how much power an average household uses from standby power alone, it is estimated to be between 5 - 10%.   Imagine getting a 10% discount on your electric bill just for unplugging items that are not in use.  

Before you say, ‘That’s way too much work or inconvenient.’, I agree.  I don’t want to reach behind my tv, modem, etc to make sure my devices aren't energy vampires either.  But there’s good news, we’re not the first ones to think about that.  Enter, smart power strips.  These power strips come with plugs that are dedicated to staying powered all the time, while the others turn off with a switch.  So for instance, if you would like to keep your internet running 24/7 so your wifi works at al times, you can leave that on, while flipping the switch to completely disconnect your computer monitor, radio or whatever you don’t need to use.  Some of these power strips can get very fancy with energy consumption monitors, voice control, timers, etc.  Check with your local utility company, oftentimes, they will offer rebates for qualifying purchases.

Depending on your energy consumption and lifestyle, savings generally far outweigh the cost of the smart strip and you will be reducing your carbon footprint with every flip of the switch.

Wash your clothes in cold water.

You need to start doing this!  Washing in cold water is just as good as washing items in warm water AND your clothes will last much longer!  Colors won’t fade as fast and there will be noticeably less wear and tear.  The only items I wash warm are sheets, towels and under clothes for sanitary purposes.  Everything else gets the cold shoulder.

When you wash your clothes in hot water, you have to heat the water, which uses gas or electricity and if it’s gas, it will create exhaust, all of which are bad for the planet.  Additionally, the cost of washing a load in hot water vs. cold can also be up to 6x more expensive.  Even if each load is relatively cheap, that adds up over a year.

Try meatless Mondays.

Did you know:

• A quarter of global emissions come from food

• More than half of food emissions come from animal products

• Half of all farmed animal emissions come from beef or lamb

• When comparing diets, “a meatlovers diet is twice the carbon for print of a vegetarian/vegan diet”

And that’s just the environmental part.  Your body and your wallet will also benefit from this small change.  And that’s all it is, a small change!  Instead of tacos with beef, go with beans and extra toppings.  Instead of pasta with meat sauce, add fresh herbs to tomato sauce.  The possibilities are endless.

Say no to junk mail.

Take 5 minutes to opt out of catalogs and pre-approved credit card offers using sites like DMAchoice or OptOutPrescreen.com. This small step can significantly reduce paper waste and clutter.  Less paper means less deforestation, less water consumption, less energy in processing, less chemicals in printing, and les transportation to end up in your mail box.  This one is an easy win.

Shop secondhand.

The textile industry is one of the worst contributors to water pollution due to the discharge of toxic chemicals from dyeing, finishing, and fabric treatment processes. These pollutants can contaminate waterways, harm aquatic ecosystems, and pose health risks to communities living nearby.  Fast fashion, clothing that is produced cheaply and goes out of style very quickly, is a major contributor.  Clothing that doesn’t last or styles that do not endure ultimately end up in landfills.  Fight fast fashion by shopping at second hand shops!

Walk or bike for short trips.

Break out our sneaks or your bike!  Diving is the biggest cause of global warming. Period. “Experts agree that cars contribute 26% of all manmade greenhouses gases that are released into the atmosphere.” Source: https://blueandgreentomorrow.com/environment/walking-drastically-cuts-carbon-footprint-helps-waistline/#google_vignette    

Walking or biking is also better for your health. In an age when more of us are sitting at desks or long commutes, every step counts.  Even 20 minutes of walking or biking every day can have drastic effects on your health and mood.

Walking can actually save you time.  I personally live in an area somewhere between urban and suburban.  Many times, I find walking down the road to my nearest shopping plaza for groceries or take out is faster than driving. 

Still not convinced or maybe you have physical limitations?  Consider using public transportation when possible.  Bring a book or your laptop and catch up on a train or bus ride.  30 people riding in one vehicle vs. one person riding in 30 vehicles is a big difference.

Small Changes, Big Impact

Next time you feel overwhelmed by the sate of pollution, trash and environmental concerns, come back to this idea of small changes creating a big impact.  It’s impossible to be perfect all of the time, and in our modern world, it can seem difficult or expensive to make changes toward sustainability, but it doesn’t have to be!  

Just remember, daily habits multiply.  A reusable water bottle saves an average of 167 plastic bottles per year. Multiply that by a few habits and the impact adds up quickly. You also don’t have to overhaul your whole life in one shot.  One habit, repeated daily, is more powerful than a major change you can’t sustain.

Don’t downplay the ripple effect.  When friends and family see your easy swaps, they’re more likely to adopt them too. One person’s habits can influence dozens more.  Be the positive change you want to see.

Go slow, small wins build momentum.  Starting small builds confidence. Once one change sticks, you're more motivated to try another which ultimately leads to long-term lifestyle shifts.