In our fast-paced lives, it's undeniable that we're constantly juggling multiple responsibilities and obligations. From work deadlines and family commitments to social engagements and personal aspirations, our minds are often occupied with overwhelming information. It can be easy to overlook the importance of being a conscious citizen, and to feel that adding sustainability to our already overflowing plates is simply too much to handle. As individuals, we may find it challenging to understand the impact we're making on a larger scale. It's easy to think that our small actions won't make a significant difference in the face of global environmental challenges. However, it's essential to recognise that even the smallest adjustments in our daily lives can accumulate and contribute to a substantial positive change. Each one of us, no matter how seemingly insignificant our actions may seem, plays a vital role in building a more sustainable world for future generations. With that in mind, we present to you our list of the top ten super easy sustainable living tips. These practical suggestions require minimal effort and can seamlessly integrate into your daily routine. 1. Switch to paperless bills So easy it can be done from your couch. A few clicks will stop paper billing and save on the resources and energy used to produce and deliver them. Every year, countless trees are cut down to produce paper, and vast amounts of water, energy, and chemicals are used in the manufacturing process. On top of that, the transportation of paper bills contributes to air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions. The benefits of going paperless go beyond saving the planet. Imagine a life without clutter, without the frustration of searching for misplaced bills or dealing with stacks of paper documents. You can simplify your life and say goodbye to the stress of paperwork. Instead of waiting for physical mail or wasting money on postage, you'll receive your bills instantly through email or online platforms. That way, you can review and pay them promptly, without any delays or hassle. Also, by reducing paper waste, you may qualify for incentives or discounts from service providers who promote sustainable practices. 2. Turn off plugs Instead of leaving appliances and electronics plugged in when they're not in use, consider connecting them to a power strip. Power strips act as central hubs, allowing multiple devices to be plugged in simultaneously. This consolidation enables better control over the power supply to various appliances, making it easier to turn them off completely with a single switch. By turning off the power strip, you prevent energy from being drawn by appliances in standby or idle mode, which is commonly referred to as "vampire power" or "phantom load." Many devices continue to use electricity even when not actively used, such as televisions, computers, game consoles, and kitchen appliances. So, when you cut off the power supply completely, you eliminate this unnecessary energy consumption. This small adjustment can make a significant impact on reducing your carbon footprint and lowering electricity bills, all while promoting a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle. 3. Allow food to cool before putting it in the fridge If you put food in the fridge whilst it's still warm, it requires extra work (and therefore energy) from the fridge to cool it down. It’s recommended to partition food into small containers so they cool right through before placing in the fridge. 4. Adjust your thermostat Heating your home requires a large amount of energy = money and greenhouse gas emissions. The recommended optimum temperature for heating is between 18-21C for a healthy, comfortable environment that doesn’t strain the planet or your bills. 5. Don’t just like, share! If you see any interesting social media post, article or video about climate change or environmentalism (like this one maybe) then don’t just like it, share it. Sharing valuable information and raising awareness about sustainability topics can make a significant impact on our collective efforts to address environmental challenges. Here are a few reasons why sharing is important: When sharing content related to climate change and environmentalism, we help amplify the message and reach a broader audience. Each share has the potential to inspire someone new, spark meaningful discussions, and encourage others to take action. Sharing informative content opens up opportunities for meaningful conversations. When we share an article or video, we invite our friends, family, and online communities to engage with the topic. We can exchange ideas, deepen our understanding, and explore solutions together. It might inspire someone to make sustainable changes in their own lives, support eco-friendly initiatives, or participate in environmental campaigns. By sharing, we contribute to a ripple effect of positive change. Lastly, in an age where misinformation spreads rapidly, sharing credible and well-researched content is crucial. We can help combat false narratives, debunk common sustainability myths and promote accurate info about sustainability issues. 6. Recycle Recycling resources is crucial to reducing our impact on Earth's ecosystems. It helps conserve natural resources, but it also saves energy, reduces pollution, and minimises the amount of waste sent to landfills. If you're already engaging in recycling practices, congratulations on your commitment! However, let's take a moment to explore some additional benefits of recycling and useful tips to refresh your knowledge and encourage even greater sustainability efforts. 7. Eat less meat From a personal carbon footprint perspective, alongside transportation, diet is one of the biggest contributing factors. Eating less meat is a simple and easy way to reduce your carbon footprint. Going fully vegan will reduce your carbon emissions by close to a tonne per year, but even reducing meat consumption to one or two portions a week will make a big difference. Great and delicious sources of low-carbon protein are nuts and peas. Here are some tips for eating vegan food on a budget. 8. Take a reusable bag shopping It takes a lot of carbon to produce and transport all the plastic carrier bags we use, and they also hang around in the environment for way too long. Investing in a reusable bag, or reusing carrier bags you already have, is a small, easy change that adds up to make a big difference. Reusable bags are more durable than their single-use counterparts, allowing you to use them for years. Also, they are made from sustainable materials such as organic cotton or recycled plastic, further reducing their environmental footprint. Grab your sustainable shopping bag and be a conscious consumer who prioritises the well-being of our planet! 9. Switch to energy-efficient light bulbs Lighting accounts for around 5% of your household energy builds. Switching to energy-efficient lightbulbs is one of the simplest, quickest ways to save on your energy bills and do your bit for the environment. These bulbs require less electricity to operate and emit fewer greenhouse gases during their lifespan. 10. Keep cold water in the fridge A lovely trick, especially if you live somewhere warm. Keeping cold water in the fridge so you don’t have to wait for the tap to go cold saves on water and, even better, means you always have a cold beverage on hand. So there you go, ten super easy sustainability tips to get started. Let's remember that our actions, no matter how small, matter. Together, we can create a ripple effect of positive change and pave the way for a healthier and greener planet. Let us know how you get on and if you have any you’d like to share! For more inspiration and tips on sustainable living and conscious consumerism, check out The Honest Consumer. Their blog is packed with advice on reducing waste, ethical fashion, non-toxic living, and more. By taking small but meaningful steps together, we can all do our part in creating a more sustainable future.