LIFESTYLE

Four Ways to Live More Sustainably

The definition of living a more sustainable lifestyle differs for everyone. Wanting to reduce your ecological footprint, make an impact on the world or give back to others are personal and value-based preferences that can be applied through a large range of choices and decisions.

If you’ve been contemplating adjusting your lifestyle, but don't know where to start or what steps to take, here are some ideas:

Make Small Changes to Your Daily Routine

Being mindful about living a sustainable life doesn’t have to be an all-or-nothing approach. Incorporating small, manageable changes within your daily routine can have a big impact on our planet. At home, you can try to utilize energy and water more efficiently. Some examples include turning off your lights when you leave the house, using LED bulbs, placing the thermostat on a timer, or even opting to line-dry your clothes instead of running the dryer. Want to take it further? Bigger measures such as installing solar panels or redesigning your landscape so that it’s not so water dependent would benefit the environment (and your finances!) even more.

When it comes to food, changing the way you eat can go a long way in helping with conservation efforts. Eating organic encourages farming without chemicals or pesticides, and requires animals to also be fed organic food and raised in more natural conditions. Stopping by the farmers market to support local growers or even planting a small variety of fruits and vegetables in your own backyard are sustainable practices that are easy to implement. Bring it full circle by creating a compost bin at home and using garbage to help your new garden grow.

Adopt Eco-Friendly Travel Habits

Here are some ways to approach travel in a way that is more friendly to the environment. Consider alternate methods of transportation such as carpooling with neighbors, biking or utilizing electric vehicles (EVs). Some states will even provide incentives for EVs, such as with rebates or the unrestricted use of HOV lanes. Mercedes-Benz, Audi and Volvo are legacy automakers that have focused on creating a line of electric and hybrid vehicles.

You can put a “green” spin on your travels by staying at sustainable hotels. There are options aplenty, from hotels that put forth smaller eco-friendly efforts, like low-flush toilets and refillable water stations, to properties that focus on eco-friendly initiatives to the highest degree, like relying on solar panels for energy and implementing on-site composting programs. Many of these hotels can be booked at a discount through Hotel Engine.

Non-Traditional Shopping

Instead of buying new, think about reusing and recycling old items. This can be done by “shopping your closet” to repurpose old clothes, checking out shops that sell pre-owned merchandise like myGemma, or searching online through Facebook swap groups. When you do want to shop for something new, make a conscious effort to support sustainable companies that have a giving-back component. For more ideas on companies that offer socially conscious products, visit our Sustainable Shopping and Gifts for Good guides.

For a more sustainable approach to the holiday season, focus on gifting subscription, memberships and experiences instead of purchasing more “things.” An unforgettable trip with Lindblad Expeditions, a leader in responsible travel, a golf swing evaluation and lesson with Golftec, or tickets to a Broadway show are unique gift options that are bound to make a lasting impression.

Invest with Impact

You can make smart investment decisions while creating positive change in the world with impact investing. This approach focuses on aligning your portfolio allocation with your personal values. There are several sustainable investment products available, covering different asset classes and themes. Depending on your investor profile—age, risk tolerance, time horizon—you can find an approach that best suits you, from Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) aware mutual funds and thematic exchange-traded funds (ETFs) to green bonds and fully customized portfolios.