Photo by Anete Lusina

(Photo : Anete Lusina from Pexels)

Sustainable consumption is living a life that is not harmful to the environment. It's a concept that has been around for decades, and it's becoming more popular as the world becomes more conscious about its impact on our planet.

Sustainable consumption includes recycling, reusing, reducing water usage, using less energy, and eating less meat. The idea is to reduce your carbon footprint by making small changes in your everyday life.

Many people have found sustainable consumption straightforward because it requires no extra work or effort other than what you do every day.

With the world going green, it is vital to take care of our planet and help save it. How can you do so? Here are some tips to help you live a more eco-friendly lifestyle every day.

Carpooling

Carpooling is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint, save money on gas and parking, reduce traffic congestion, and meet new people while getting exercise.

Recycling

Recycling is one of the simplest ways to go green without changing your lifestyle too much. It's easy to recycle newspapers, plastic bottles and cans, aluminum cans, paper towels, and toilet tissue rolls. However, you can recycle bigger items too, including mattresses and box springs as well as old appliances and electronics.

Use Energy Efficient Appliances

Turn off lights when not in use or only leave them on when needed. Replace old appliances with energy-efficient ones.

Use Energy Efficient Lighting It's easy to go green by replacing incandescent light bulbs with CFL or LED bulbs because they use less energy and last longer.

Buying Certain Products in Bulk

As a consumer, you hold the power to make choices that can lessen your environmental impact. You can become a more sustainable consumer by buying in bulk and using reusable items or refillable containers. For example, buy a large bag of organic tea instead of several small loads. Buying organic yerba mate and other tea varieties in bulk helps save money and the planet by reducing your dependence on unsustainable supply chains and unethical agriculture.

Be Mindful of the Source of Products You Buy

Did you know that buying a jar of spaghetti sauce from conventional brands can destroy a tropical rainforest?

You can do several things to be a more sustainable consumer. The first is to buy locally-made items when possible. Shopping at farmers' markets, getting to know your local purveyors, and reading labels are all ways to find quality, freshly-made items.

Another way is to buy brands you already use from companies like Whole Foods Market or Trader Joe's. Many grocery stores have started carrying organic, fair-trade, and sustainable food options. Find out what stores near you take organic foods, even if they aren't organic. Support the movement and the smaller companies that make it easier for those more giant corporations (like Whole Foods) to keep the action going.

Reduce and Reuse

There are many ways you can reduce and reuse in your daily life. Some of these hacks are so simple that you can do them in less than five minutes. The best part is that you will be saving money and creating less waste by using materials going to the landfill. Do your part to reduce, reuse and recycle.

More Prominent Companies Can Be Sustainable

Big companies use their enormous buying power to drive down costs, but they also wield more political power. As much as we'd like to avoid them altogether, they are part of our everyday lives. There are plenty of ways to impact your purchasing decisions and still buy the things you love when you want them.

Do Not Pursue Perfection

Simply put, don't worry so much about doing everything perfectly. Instead, focus on the things you can easily change. This can make a big difference in your efforts to be more sustainable. For example, when dining out, choose simpler, smaller, and less processed dishes. It may take more time to change your lifestyle than simply making minor changes.

Buy Durable Products 

Make small changes in your shopping routine to help reduce waste from consumer goods: Buy durable goods like a well-made purse that lasts or a laptop computer that will not wear out in three years. Do not buy products unless you need them. Buy used or recycled products whenever possible. These are just two simple ways to be more sustainable, and they do not cost much.

Conclusion

Using simple tips, one can be a more sustainable consumer; you can significantly reduce your waste and conserve natural resources.