by Eco-Travel Digital Media
One of the main reasons people don’t get started in living an eco-friendly life is because it’s “hard and expensive.”
And I get that. However, I don’t believe it’s a reasonable excuse to do absolutely nothing.
There are SO MANY ways you can contribute by choosing minor sustainable swaps in your everyday life. Small changes make a world of difference to how you lead your life and the impact you have on our planet.
With this guide, I aim to open your mind to your own potential, showing you the real steps you can take to integrate sustainability into your life from this very moment forward.
I’ve chosen these tips as they aren’t expensive or overly challenging. Mostly, it’s about awareness and making conscious choices rather than working on autopilot (as we’ve all grown accustomed to doing).
On the following pages, you’ll find the eco-friendly swaps that I use in different aspects of my life, as well as some Sustainable Brands and Businesses that you can support on your journey to a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
Ready to make a difference?
Let’s go!
Table of Contents
What does it mean to be a Climate Neutral Certified Brand?
There are a number of policies that every company needs to follow in order to be deemed sustainable as a Climate Neutral Certified brand.
Measure
Their carbon emissions need to be measured, including the making and delivering of products and services to customers.
Offset
The brand needs to purchase carbon credits to completely offset their carbon footprint by funding a mix of projects, like reforestation or renewable energy.
Reduce
The brand needs to develop and implement plans to reduce their future emissions.
That means brands need to show a lot of progress before they can be certified.
Who you shop with makes a difference, make sure the company you choose is sustainable and helping the planet before you give them your hard earned money!
Travel and Sustainability
Travel is a huge passion of mine, and it’s something that I don’t want to live without.
To help me make better, more conscious decisions when I’m traveling, I have some rules on the road. These are just a couple of my top tips to get your inspiration flowing.
Use public transport when you can
Ride a bike when you can’t
Always bring a reusable water bottle with you
Say no to single-use plastic (even when they don’t offer any other option)
Bring your own cutlery, just in case
Buy from local shops and farms
Research sustainable businesses in the area
Support local restaurants
Small swaps make a big difference. You may even realize that you do all of these things already!
If you do, then great.
SUSTAINABLE TRAVEL BRANDS:
TOP TIP: Staying in an eco-friendly hotel is a great way to get a sense of being in nature when you’re traveling, all the while knowing you’re putting your money towards a good, sustainable company that is determined to help the planet through the work that they do.
Need some tips on where to stay?
Follow my EarthCare x EcoTravel Instagram to learn about different eco-hotels in the US and abroad!
Fashion and Sustainability
Fashion is causing enormous problems for our environment. From time to time, you might be tempted by all the fast fashion options readily available; however, to truly integrate sustainability into your lifestyle, you need to start looking further afield.
One of the best ways to reduce your impact is by shopping second-hand. This removes further waste from the world; plus, you can get some pretty incredible finds at lower prices - who doesn’t love that!
TOP TIP: Repurposing your clothes
Resoling your shoes
Learning to fix small holes or changes in clothes
Gifting barely worn clothes you no longer wear to someone else
Tailoring your clothes to suit your new needs
Beyond that, when you really need a new product, do your research and find the most ethical and sustainable supplier of the product.
SUSTAINABLE FASHION BRANDS:
Beauty and Sustainability
Personal hygiene and self-care aren’t things anyone should give up.
It’s a massive part of feeling good about yourself and cared for. However, there are some swaps you can make in your beauty and self-care routine that will help to contribute to your sustainable lifestyle.
Let’s take a look at some options to achieving a more sustainable beauty routine.
Use reusable things like cotton pads and face cloths to remove makeup
Use reusable pads, period underwear, or menstrual cups
Use a shampoo bar instead of a plastic bottle
Buy bamboo toothbrushes
If you have to buy a bottle, buy a bigger bottle
Check the ingredients to ensure they’re not toxic (for you or the environment)
Use recycled toilet paper in non-plastic wrap
Use less water when you bathe, shower, or brush your teeth
SUSTAINABLE BEAUTY BRANDS:
Business and Sustainability
Yes, really. You can make your work sustainable too!
You’re using a lot of energy and resources when you're in the office. Luckily, there are ways to reduce your impact as much as possible!
For example, you can:
Turn off your computer when you’re not using it
Recycle any paper you have used and reduce the amount of paper and documents you print
Double side your printing if you have to print
Switch to signing documents online
Drink your office coffee from a reusable mug
Use the cloud and move away from excessive hard disks or monitors
Buy energy-efficient devices when possible
Consider solar-powered chargers
If you need to dispose of electronics, use the proper recycling centers
Try to fix your electronics before throwing them away
There are so many apps and software companies that are sustainable and ethically minded. Choosing the right partners for your tech needs can significantly impacts your footprint.
SUSTAINABLE BUSINESS & OFFICE BRANDS:
Home and Sustainability
You probably spend the most time in your home, which means it’s the place where you should aim to make the most change.
Naturally, using solar energy will make the biggest impact. However, if transforming your home’s energy source isn’t an option right now, there are smaller swaps you can make to create a significant difference in your lifestyle.
Here are some of my favorite options:
Choose eco-friendly detergents and cleaners
Start composting
Turn off electronics and lights when you’re not using them
Buy energy-efficient appliances
Use LED lights
Hang your laundry out to dry rather than using your dryer
Make sure you have a full load of laundry before you put on your washing machine
Place a “no junk mail” sign on your mailbox
Reduce the amount of water you use
Start growing your own herbs and vegetables
Separate your trash
You can also start by looking around your home to realize just how much plastic you have integrated into your lifestyle. Now, let’s work to reduce that amount moving forward!
SUSTAINABLE HOME & CLEANING BRANDS:
Grocery Shopping and Sustainability
When you enter the store, start to notice just how much single-use packaging is around. It’s on every shelf in every store. That’s why changing the way you shop can seem like a daunting task.
Nonetheless, there are plenty of ways you can start to make a change and reduce the amount of waste you create with each trip to the store.
Here are a few ways to be more sustainable when grocery shopping:
Bring reusable bags
Buy from local, sustainable sources, farms, and markets
Buy a water filter rather than bottled water
Bring a paper bag for things like bread and pastries
Try to buy dried foods in bulk
Choose glass containers over plastic
Research what companies are sustainable and choose to buy from them
Pick up your takeaway instead of getting it delivered.
TOP TIP:
Eating vegetarian and vegan meals has one of the biggest impacts on our personal footprint.
If you’re a big meat eater, try to eat one meal each day without meat. Once you start it, you’ll realize just how awesome veggie dishes can be.
SUSTAINABLE GROCERY SHOPPING BRANDS:
And, Thats it!
These are some of the simple swaps you can make today to introduce sustainability into your lifestyle.
By integrating even just a couple of the suggested ideas in this guide, you will be making a significant impact on the environment as we know it.
I promise you will not have to change everything you know; small but sustainable steps are your way to build a sustainable lifestyle moving forward!
Good Luck, I know you can do it!!