☆The Art of Sustainable Living ☆

With global warming getting worse every year, it is imperative that we do as much as we can to prevent its harmful effects. We can delay the effects of this by modifying the way that we live our daily lives. I thought I'd share some helpful and insightful tips with you guys can implement to better the state of our planet (and in light of the COVD-19 pandemic -- my heart goes out to all those affected <3). Let me know if you guys would like to see more lifestyle tips in the future!

Travel and Commuting

1. Take public transit or carpool more often

2. Try biking or e-biking (or skateboarding) to your location.

3. Drive an electric or a zero-emission car. 4. Plan mindful itineraries for your destination(not at the peak time of year for that location).

5. Pick up after yourself when traveling.

6. Stay at sustainable lodges or hotels if they are available near your destination.

7. Limit long road trips and air travel.

8. Take the stairs (I know you can do it!).

Fashion

1. Buy clothes from sustainable or local and authentic brands, or even thrift store, but not fast fashion brands.

2. Delay the donating or throwing away your clothes, wear them as long as possible.

3. In addition to that last one, you can also try flipping your old clothes into a new garment.

4. Try to hang dry your nicer clothes after being washed to use less electricity.

5. Mend the clothes that you feel need to be fixed.

6. Reduce the number of times that you wash your clothes.

7. Build a capsule wardrobe.

Beauty and Hygiene

1. Share products with your family members(ex: lotion, shampoo, soap).

2. Make your own natural cleansers, scrubs, or facemasks. (Let me know if you would like some homemade recipes!).

3. Use recycled toilet paper instead of normal toilet paper! (In light of the current pandemic, try to minimize the usage of toilet paper and be mindful of others when purchasing these products).

4. Buy products in bulk or bigger bottles so you won't have to keep going to go buy them.

5. Use reusable cotton pads or reusable makeup towels to wash off makeup.

6. Don't let the water keep running when you are washing your hands, face or brushing your teeth.

Electricity

1. Switch out those old lightbulbs for LEDs!

2. Reduce your electrical usage.

3. Unplug electronics and lamps and turn off the lights when you are not in the room.

4. Use rechargeable batteries instead of alkaline batteries.

5. Dispose of light bulbs appropriately.

6. Open up that window and try to use natural light as much as possible.

7. Limit the amount that you use heating and your fireplace.

Food

1. Use metal straws.

2. Use cloth instead of paper towels (You can even use old t-shirts as a washcloth!).

3. Use your dishwasher for a full load.

4. Try not to use too many utensils.

5. Bring wood or steel utensils with you when traveling or commuting.

5. Make and eat only what you know you will eat.

6. Compost your fruits and vegetables.

7. Try starting a home garden.

8. Try being vegetarian as much as possible, try avoiding eating meat.

9. Use jars and containers to store food.

10. Buy your produce in bulk from your local farmer’s markets (don't be afraid to buy "ugly produce too!).

11. Limit the use of hot water and soap when washing dishes.

12. Try using old newspapers to line your trashcans.

13. Bry your own shopping and fruit bags.

14. Use a metal water bottle.

Technology

1. Use solar chargers for your phones, rechargeable batteries.

2. Use e-waste recycling programs.

3. Look for second-hand technology instead of brand-new technology.

4. Get your devices repaired instead of buying new ones.

5. Donate your devices to schools and other institutions.

6. Charge your phone only when necessary(that means less than 50% charge).

Academics

1. Take digital notes on your iPad or bendable laptop.

2. Minimize the amount of paper used when printing paper.

3. Switch to a sustainable search engine like Ecosia, which uses search ad income to plant trees. Amazing!

I hope you all find these tips useful and easy to implement into your lives. I hope you all are staying safe and healthy during these trying times, and wish you all the best.

-Vaishna :)