Nowadays, people are becoming increasingly aware of how their individual actions affect the environment. For this reason, many are now inclined to live a sustainable lifestyle. In fact, a poll by Clean Energy Canada highlights how 83 percent of Canadians want the world to see us as people who are determined to help combat climate change — which then motivates many to make eco-conscious choices.
In our post 'A prime Investment: Saving Money with an E-Bike’ we pointed out how eco-friendly gadgets such as electric bikes are a great way to invest in the world around us, because they are among the most eco-friendly modes of transportation available. But aside from that, what else can you do to live more sustainably?
Try to save energy
Conserving energy around the house is one of the best ways to live more sustainably. One way to significantly reduce your household energy use is by using energy-efficient appliances and unplugging your electronics whenever you’re not using them. Another way to save energy is by replacing incandescent light bulbs with longer-lasting LED light bulbs. By making your home more energy-efficient, you can help reduce carbon emissions and slow down global warming.
Buy locally grown produce
While supermarkets today provide unmatched convenience, these have also transformed how we think about food. In supermarkets, we can easily access fruits, vegetables, and other produce from around the globe any time of year. However, Greenmatters notes that bringing out of season and out-of-range produce to our local supermarkets consumes huge amounts of resources such as fossil fuels and water. For this reason, it’s best to choose locally-grown produce. Not only does this help save the environment, but this also allows you to support your farmers and help build the local economy.
Become a sustainable fashion advocate
Because of fast fashion, the clothing industry is now considered to be one of the most polluting industries in the world. In order to push back on this, you should make the decision to only choose sustainably made or pre-loved clothes. Thanks to the internet, you can easily find clothes and shoes that don’t contribute to the waste created by the fast fashion industry. For one, you can join online communities where sustainability is not only encouraged but actively promoted. SoleSavy is a sustainable sneakerhead community who have made it their mission to promote quality over quantity, and change wasteful mindsets. They say in their mission statement: "our community gives everyone who loves sneakers the knowledge, tools, and access to get more wins". By using communities like this you will be able to change your shopping habits and help change the habits of others.
Recycle your trash
We’ve all heard time and time again that recycling your trash is key to saving the environment. And doing this is incredibly easy, too, as all you really need to do is to put your trash in the correct bins. If your neighborhood doesn’t do recycling pickup, be sure to do your due diligence to find a drop-off location or check out local recycling initiatives. However, make sure to remember that not all your items can be recycled. For items such as CFLs, batteries, cell-phones, and other electronics, look for responsible recyclers that don’t ship electronic waste overseas for unregulated salvage operations.
Conserve your water use
Another easy way to be more sustainable is to conserve your household water use. You can do this by choosing water-efficient appliances and fixtures. For example, consider installing a dual-flush toilet as this can help you choose whether to use a full flush or half-flush. In addition, you can also opt for low-flow shower-heads and faucets, which allow you to achieve water savings by having a lower flow rate of water.
The tips we’ve listed above can help you live a sustainable lifestyle and reduce your individual impact on the environment. If you want to take it a step further and choose eco-friendly transportation options, do look at our selection of eBikes here at Biktrix.
Written by: JV Amiedel
