I have to admit that leading a sustainable lifestyle is not always as glamorous or easy as we’d like it to be. Separating recycling into the right containers, investing in energy-efficient home appliances, and choosing more sustainable product options can be expensive and time-consuming, especially amidst the hustle and bustle of work, family, and personal projects.

But being sustainable doesn’t always mean making huge, one-off purchases or completely changing your routine. In fact, it’s often the little actions that add up to make a difference that also matters in the long-run.

So, when it comes to sustainability, what are the best ways to implement it into your daily routine without costing the earth (literally!) or requiring too much of your time?

We’ve listed eight simple habits that everyone can adopt for a smaller carbon footprint.

1. Invest in reusable tote bags for shopping

OK, you can’t blame us for putting this one first. This is our heritage and one of the reasons we founded the company. Plastic bags contribute to single-use landfill mountains, and the process of making them generates huge volumes of greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere. Our tote bags can help you decrease the amount of single-use plastic you consume while keeping your goods safe and you looking stylish.

Reusable shopping bags are one of those storage solutions that will always come in handy—whether you’re at the shops, running errands, or even just storing goods at home. The wide range of tote bags at meori come in all sorts of colors and styles, so you can carry whatever you need in comfort and style while staying on the sustainability train. And don’t forget, we offer a FREE reusable grocery bag with every order. Just use the code FREEBAG at checkout.

2. Educate your friends and family

Implementing sustainability into your daily life doesn’t always involve physical action. Spreading awareness and educating those young and old in your family or friendship circle is another simple yet highly impactful way to promote sustainability.

Don’t be shy to discuss sustainable living with friends or family, and share content online about reducing your carbon footprint. Knowledge is empowering, and the more people who know how to live sustainably, the better.

3. Simplify celebrations

Celebrating special moments and holidays will always be important, but that doesn’t mean they need to become consumerism fests every year.

Birthdays, Christmas, the New Year, and all sorts of popular celebrations often require more single-use products than necessary, contributing to a culture of needless mass consumerism and waste. But it doesn’t have to be that way.

You don’t have to buy mountains of decorations, gifts, and knickknacks to celebrate well or take pride in your traditions. By simplifying your celebrations, you can reduce the amount of waste that your household generates and enjoy a more sustainable way of celebrating special times.

This method will also help you to save money and appreciate the things that matter most during celebratory moments, such as spending time with loved ones.

4. Embrace walking and cycling

Walking and cycling are both great ways to embrace a more sustainable lifestyle while staying fit and healthy. Ditching the car occasionally means significantly reducing the amount of pollution you emit into the atmosphere, and you also get some cardio in.

Of course, there will be times when driving a car is necessary, but if the distance is short enough and the weather looks fine, swap out your car for a bike or some walking shoes and just take in the world around you. It’s good for your body, your mind, and the planet!

5. Eat more veggie meals

Meat’s environmental impact is massive. Eating less meat and more veggies is one of the simplest, easiest, and tastiest ways to combat climate change. It’s also something that enough people are familiar with now that making the switch is so much easier than it used to be.

There is a wide range of delicious vegetable-based protein sources available today, and many of them offer additional health benefits and more nutrients than meat. Consider allocating a couple of nights of the week to plant-based meals.

6. Shop locally

Importing produce and other goods requires extensive international transportation, which releases tons of greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. By shopping locally, you can stop supporting the unnecessary importation of out-of-season produce and start supporting your local farmers and artisans.

Shopping locally isn’t just good for the environment because it reduces your carbon footprint—it also boosts your local economy, promotes the growth of seasonal fruit and veg, and is often healthier for your body.

Plus, buying fruit and vegetables from local grocers, joining clubs that supply pickled goods, or shopping for fresh produce at farmer’s markets is a rewarding experience that gives you the opportunity to try new and exciting flavors. Plus, it enhances the feeling of community, so it’s a win-win all around.

7. Repair and up-cycle instead of buying new

Mass consumerism directly contributes to the continued pollution of the planet. Dumps and landfills are filled to the brim with tools, clothes, appliances, and technology that people throw away after just one defection (or boredom), leading to landfills the size of small countries.

If you want to implement more sustainability in your life but aren’t sure where to start, begin by choosing to repair the things you already own when they break instead of buying something new. Alternatively, you can upcycle your damaged goods into a DIY project.

Naturally, some items just need to be replaced when damaged, but you might be surprised at how many can be fixed and repurposed before being eventually discarded.

8. Be wise with your water consumption

As less than 3% of the world’s water supply is suitable and accessible for sustaining human life, conservation is crucial for the sustainability of our planet. Reducing how much water you use at home is a simple but effective way to stretch essential natural resources out and embrace a more sustainable way of living. It can also help reduce your water bill. Who knows, maybe it’s time to replace that grass lawn with something that is easier to maintain and requires less water?

Live a More Sustainable Life One Day At a Time

Sustainability is much more effective when it is woven into everyday life. By making these small changes to your daily routine and lifestyle, you can be an example to others about how to protect the environment and play your part in combating climate change.

You may not always have time to attend rallies or start your own backyard garden (which are both still great ideas!), but adjusting the way you shop and consume is something we can all do for a greener future.

meori helps people organize at home and on-the-go with stylish, eco-friendly solutions – everything from Grocery Totes to Reusable Drink Carriers to durable and stylish Wine Carriers. As part of our commitment to living more sustainably, we offer a FREE reusable grocery bag with every purchase. Just use code FREEBAG at the checkout. Just trying to do our part, one grocery shopping bag at a time.