With our population constantly on the rise, other global issues have persisted as well, and we’re dealing with a combination of global warming and a lack of natural resources, all the while trying to power through an economic crisis.
It’d be a lie to say we’re not in a tough spot right now, but sustainable living might just be the solution we’re looking for, even if it’s hard to maintain in dire times like these.
Looking for sustainable solutions to these problems may be the only thing we have left to do, and thankfully, there are plenty of them to choose from, including some that we may not even go over in this article.
Once you’re done reading, do yourself and mother nature a favor and explore a bit more about sustainable living and what you personally can do to make your existence more environmentally friendly.
Recycle
This one may sound like a no-brainer, but you’d be surprised by how many people misunderstand or simply don’t know how recycling works.
It’s one of the tried and tested ways to keep our planet just a tiny bit cleaner, and while our technology still isn’t advanced enough yet to make it as effective as can be, we’re on a good way to getting there.
A lot of waste from your home is recyclable, starting with the plastic bottles of water you throw out all the way to the electronics that you’d just toss out by the dumpster right before garbage pickup.
In fact, some electronics recycling centers may even pay you for the devices you hand in, whereas others may offer you credit for purchases of items that are produced from the recycled materials you handed in.
Don’t shy away from thrift shops
There’s absolutely no shame in buying second-hand goods, and you may even be able to run into a bargain that you wouldn’t normally find at a retail store.
Many people have the misconception that used goods are worthless, but if you’ve ever visited one of these stores, you’ll know that’s not the case. With only a few trips to local second-hand shops, you’ll find a number of items that fit your needs and style without having to cough up some serious money on something new.
On top of being great for your wallet, buying second-hand is amazing for the environment as well, because your purchase didn’t contribute to wasting fresh materials.
Additionally, any item that is bought second-hand is almost guaranteed not to end up in a landfill, as it will have found another owner even after the original owners couldn’t use it anymore.
Eco-friendly cleaning products
Cleaning agents come in all sorts of forms, but they’re not the first thing that comes to mind when you think eco-friendly.
Despite this, there are dozens of sustainably produced cleaning products that are good for both you and the environment, and you may already have some of them in your home.
Vinegar is one of them, as it’s one of the best alternatives to chlorine soap, and you can use it to clean your sink after you’re done using it.
You could also opt to use a more natural degreaser, such as baking soda, for removing those nasty grease layers from your kitchen walls, and unlike most other detergents, it won’t leave any marks on your walls or furniture.
In fact, when you’re in the mood to be slightly greener, you could whip up a cleaning agent of your own with the stuff you’ve got lying around in your cupboard.
15 drops of lavender mixed with 15 drops of grapefruit juice and half a cup of vinegar are all you’ll need for a fresh and healthy alternative.
Recycle your old clothes
The fashion industry has taken a toll on our world, and fast fashion may be one of the leading causes of pollution and poverty in the world.
However, you don’t have to contribute to this, and you can repurpose all your old clothes and give them a new life even after they’ve torn beyond usability.
If you’ve got kids in the house, your old t-shirts could be used to make ragdolls for the youngest ones, and even though they’re a bit old-fashioned, they’re a nice alternative to all the plastic toys these days.
You could also choose to breathe new life into some of your clothes by turning them into trendy new pieces, although this will take some creativity on your part.
Always remember that there isn’t a wrong way to recycle, and as long as you’re reusing a product, you’re contributing to keeping our planet clean.
Final word
There are loads of cheap and accessible ways to be eco-friendly, and you don’t have to adopt all of them to do your part.
Regardless of that, you should still try to do as much as possible to help preserve mother nature’s health and cleanliness, and it’s probably much easier than you’d think.