9 Effective Ways To Be More Sustainable

how to be more sustainable eco-friendly actions green tips sustainability strategies recycling reuse

Did you know that to have the best chance of avoiding a global temperature increase of 2°C (which is around 35°F), the average global carbon footprint must drop below 2 tons per year? 


Currently, the average carbon footprint of a U.S. resident is 16 tons. That can make a drop to 2 tons seem wildly unrealistic, right? 

There are actually a lot of ways you can reduce your carbon footprint and live more sustainably! So, which little changes can you introduce into your life? 

We're here to fill you in on sustainability strategies! Keep reading below to learn 9 ways to be more sustainable! 

1. Buy Locally 

Buying locally is a wise option because you'll know exactly where your food and goods are coming from. Additionally, it's more sustainable because it cuts out the energy it requires to transport goods from their place of production to their retail location. 

2. Ways To Be More Sustainable Through Your Clothing: Earth-Friendly Shoes 

By choosing sustainable footwear you can help reduce your carbon footprint—both figuratively and literally! It's important that you choose brands that utilize earth-friendly practices, such as using recycled or biodegradable materials and sourcing their products responsibly. 

3. Ditch The Plastic Bags 

In 2017, the U.S. generated over 35,000 tons of plastic waste. Only 2,960 tons of that were recycled. 

One of the easiest ways to be more sustainable is by stocking up on reusable tote bags to keep on hand for shopping trips. Keep a few in your car, and you'll no longer have to use the plastic bags stores offer! 

4. Reduce Your Miles: Alternative Transportation 

A great way to carry out a more sustainable lifestyle is by cutting down your car usage. By finding alternative modes of transportation, such as the bus or bike, you're reducing car emissions. If your route requires a car, consider carpooling with coworkers or friends instead! 

5. Cut Down On Your Paper Consumption 

Did you know the equivalent of nearly 270,000 trees is flushed or dumped in landfills worldwide every day? 

About 10% of that figure is attributed to toilet paper. Switching to a recycled toilet paper is an easy way to make your paper product consumption more sustainable. You can also get recycled tissues and paper towels. 

If you want to cut out paper towels altogether, you can switch to washable rags! 

6. Be Thrifty: Shop At Secondhand Stores 

Buying clothes at thrift stores has become trendy the past few years, but you don't have to limit yourself to clothes! Thrift stores are a great place to find home decor, furniture, and houseware. You'll be cutting down on waste production and saving money simultaneously! 

7. Reusable Food Storage 

If you haven't invested in a reusable water bottle yet, you're behind the times! 

Cut the Tupperware out of your life as well by buying reusable food wraps! Reusable food wraps are often made with beeswax, and you can even make your own at home! 

8. Go Digital: Switching To Paperless Bills 

Most companies and landlords allow customers to pay their bills online these days. It's a great way to cut down on paper products and reduce the energy that goes into transporting a physical payment. Going paperless makes a positive impact on our planet.

9. Build A Compost Pile 

Creating a compost pile is a great way to get extra mileage out of food scraps. Not only are cutting down on your waste, but you're also creating hearty compost which you can use in your garden. Compost is a fantastic alternative to store-bought fertilizers, which are often ridden with harmful chemicals. 

Go Green With Smart Sustainability

As you can, there are plenty of ways to be more sustainable. Many of these changes are easy to make, and you'll hardly notice the difference in your daily routine after a while! All of the small sustainability strategies will add up to a big impact on our environmental health.

New Frugal Finance Blog Posts & Articles