Sustainable living describes a lifestyle that attempts to reduce an individual’s or society’s use of the Earth's natural resources, and one’s personal resources.

This can sound incredibly daunting, especially when you see that others around you are not doing their part. But when you break it down into small steps, you realise you have more power than you think.

Let’s look at a few easy eco-friendly switches you can make to reduce your environmental footprint in your every day life.

Sustainable living around the house

• Hang your wet clothes on a drying rack instead of using a powered dryer.
• Hand wash your clothes, particularly if you only have a few items to clean.
• Buy smarter and reusable items like reusable cotton pads, food storage containers.
  
• Switch off the lights and AC when you are not in that particular room.

Sustainable office

• Subscribe to digital letters and notices. Say no to snail mail. (and don't print emails)
• To reduce the use of plastic, instead of using the plastic cups in your office and order food in plastic containers with plastic cutlery, bring your own reusable water bottle and prepared food or containers as well as cutlery.
• Speak to your colleagues about a more sustainable living approach, about what is happening with our earth at the moment. Many people just don't know.

Sustainable commuting

• Bike or walk instead of using your car. (We know this can be difficult during the warmer months, but you can still do it for the short rides)
• Use the stairs instead of the elevator. Great workout as well.
• Use public transport if possible.
• Share car rides, also when bringing your children to different places.

Sustainable grocery shopping

• Don’t use plastic bags when you do your grocery shopping. Instead, take your own bags. Once you get used to it, it becomes second nature.
  

#Tip: Our EO bags are perfect for this.

• Avoid buying plastic wrapped fruit and vegetables. Bring your own bags to weigh them.
  
• Try and look for items that use less plastic for packaging in general.
• Buy local whenever possible.

Sustainable fashion

• Create a capsule wardrobe where each item easily matches with the others in order to buy less and still have a great variety of outfits.
• Buy clothing items made from sustainable fabrics and slow fashion brands.
  
• Buy period proof, leak proof and reusable underwear (we love eg. Modibodi)
  
• Donate or resell clothes you don't wear anymore.

By implementing just some of these ideas in your home or life you can make a difference. By starting you are showing your children and colleagues the way and they will again show others and the movement can grow.

Be part of the solutions to help mother nature.