Sustainable Living, sometimes called Green Living or Eco-friendly living, is a conscious lifestyle that strives to conserve the Earth’s natural resources. It can involve changes in diet, housing and transportation choices and even the products purchased. It can also include methods of waste disposal and energy consumption. Many individuals choose to live sustainably because they want to help keep our planet a healthy place to live for future generations.

People have a variety of reasons for wanting to live sustainably, from saving money to improving their health. Some people make sustainability a goal because they believe the environment is being overtaxed by humans, but whatever your initial motivation, it’s easy to get started on a greener path.

The first step to living sustainably is identifying what aspects of your current lifestyle are overtaxing the Earth’s natural resources, including water, energy, trees and fossil fuels. This can be as simple as making lists of your daily activities and the products you use, or it can be more in-depth, encompassing everything from the clothing you wear to the foods you eat to the cleaning supplies you buy.

Some of the most common ways to begin your sustainable journey are lowering your energy use, reducing the amount of trash you produce and using renewable or recycled materials for building and gardening purposes. Some people have also taken the initiative to recycle e-waste, shop second hand and support environmental charities, which can all have a big impact on the planet.

Another popular way to begin the transition to sustainable living is limiting driving, focusing on carpooling and other forms of public transportation. This can cut down on carbon emissions, reduce the number of vehicles on the road at any given time and encourage people to walk or bike for errands and leisurely trips. Purchasing hybrid, electric or recycled cars is another great way to reduce your carbon footprint as well.

Practicing sustainable living can also help you save money and improve your health in the long run. For instance, reducing energy use can lower utility bills and lead to less spending on heating and cooling. Unplugging electronic devices and appliances when not in use can also lower your electricity bill, as can switching to energy-efficient light bulbs.

Finally, the most important thing to remember when getting started on a sustainable journey is that it’s all about the little things adding up to a bigger difference. You can start by changing your bottled water to tap, for example (our environmental experts can help you find the best testing kit to determine the quality of your drinking water) or making sure to wash your clothes on cold settings to reduce water usage.

Other ways to live sustainably include buying local, supporting organic farming practices and composting. Some people even try to be self-sufficient by growing their own food. Purchasing locally grown fruits, vegetables and meat means you can avoid the excess packaging that comes with supermarket goods and you’ll be supporting local farmers who may treat their animals more humanely than corporate farms. Choosing to purchase products that are made from renewable or recycled materials is a good idea too, as are reusable shopping bags, cloth diapers and coffee mugs.