20+ Simple Ways to Live More Sustainably (Without the Hassle)

Making your lifestyle more environmentally-friendly lifestyle doesn’t have to be complicated. You don’t have to immediately make big drastic changes to your daily routine.

In fact, there are many small, easy-to-implement steps you can take to reduce your carbon footprint and do your part to protect the planet. By making these few simple tweaks to your daily habits, you can make a big impact with very low effort.

Kitchen counter with a small compost bin and fresh produce

But I already Recycle, Isn’t That Enough?

Recycling is great – in theory. But it’s also the least you can do. The slogan has always been “reduce, reuse, recycle” for a reason. Recycling has its own carbon footprint.

Reducing your consumption and reusing things before getting rid of them will always be greener than recycling – and it can save you money! Here’s what makes it so important:

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Energy Consumption: The process of recycling uses a significant amount of energy. For example, recycling paper requires energy to collect, sort, shred, clean and reprocess. This energy consumption can contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. So you’re saving trees, but at the cost of more emissions, which isn’t necessarily helping at all.

Quality Degradation: Every time certain materials like plastic or paper are recycled, they degrade in quality. After multiple cycles, these materials become unusable and end up in the landfill.

Limited Scope: Not all materials can be recycled. Many plastics, for instance, aren’t recyclable and end up in landfills or incinerators anyway.

Super Easy Sustainable Living Tips

Here are tips to get you started. Remember: it’s not all or nothing. Do what you can, and you’ll still make a difference.

And over time, you’ll get used to it and find yourself wanting to find more ways to be green!

Unplug electronic devices when not in use

One of the simplest ways to reduce your energy consumption at home is to unplug electronics and appliances when they’re not in use. Many devices continue to draw power even when they’re turned off. That’s a phenomenon known as “phantom load” or “vampire power.”

Simply unplug TVs, computers, phone chargers, and other electronics when they’re not actively in use. It’ll lower your monthly electricity bills, too – sometimes by a lot.

Get in the habit of doing a quick sweep through your home each night to make sure all your non-essential electronics are unplugged.

Even simpler: get smart power strips that you can schedule to turn themselves off and on!

Switch to energy-efficient LED light bulbs

You’re probably already doing this, if you’re in the US, since the government has gotten manufacturers to move to LED lights. These energy-efficient light bulbs are a big quick win because they last for years and cost you less to run.

Replace old fluorescent bulbs as they burn out with LED bulbs.

Adjust Your Thermostat

Central air conditioning thermostat on wall

Your home’s heating and cooling system is a major source of energy usage, so making a few adjustments to your thermostat can have a big impact. In the summer, try setting your AC a few degrees higher, like 78 °F (25.5 °C) instead of 72 °F (22 °C). In the winter, lower your heat to 68 °F (20 °C) or below.

You can also install a programmable or smart thermostat that automatically adjusts the temperature when you’re sleeping or away from home. This ensures you’re only using energy to heat or cool your home when necessary.

How to stay comfortable: In cold weather, use more clothing, blankets, hot drinks and energy efficient space heaters to stay warm. In summer, wear lighter clothing and run fans, which use less electricity than central systems and can cool rooms significantly. Check out How to Keep Your House Cool Without AC.

Wash Clothes in Cold Water

Washing machine with clothes spilling out

We’ve talked about the advantages of washing clothes in cold water before. And the vast majority of the energy used by a washing machine goes toward heating the water.

By washing your clothes in cold water instead of hot or warm, you can cut your machine’s energy use by up to 90%. This not only saves you money on your utility bills, but it’s also gentler on your fabrics.

And modern laundry detergents are designed to work effectively in cold water, so you don’t have to worry about your clothes not getting clean. Just be sure to adjust your wash cycle accordingly when using cold water.

Air Dry Your Clothes

Another easy way to reduce your home’s energy usage is to air dry your clothes instead of using an electric or gas-powered clothes dryer. Hang items on a clothesline or drying rack, or lay them flat to dry naturally.

Not only does air drying save energy, but it’s also better for your clothes. The heat from a dryer can break down fabrics over time, causing them to wear out faster. Air drying is gentler and helps preserve the life of your garments.

Take Shorter Showers

Reducing your shower time is a simple way to conserve both water and energy. Taking shorter, 5-7 minute showers instead of longer 10-15 minute ones can save thousands of gallons of water per year, as well as reduce the amount of energy needed to heat that water.

One way I shortened my showers was switching to leave-in conditioners I can apply after I get out of the shower.

Switch to Efficient Showerheads

If you have very old showerheads, a newer one will use less water while getting you just as clean. You can find very affordable water saving showerheads designed just for this.

Fix Leaks Promptly

Dripping faucets, showerheads, and toilets can waste thousands of gallons of water per year if left unrepaired. Even a small leak can add significantly to your monthly water bill.

As soon as you notice a leak, take the time to fix it. This may involve replacing a worn washer, tightening connections, or calling a plumber for more complex issues.

Easy DIY Plumbing Fixes You Can Do Yourself

Use the Dishwasher Efficiently

Hand in pink dishwashing glove putting plate in dishwasher

Running a full load of dishes in the dishwasher is generally more water-efficient than hand-washing. However, you can maximize the eco-friendliness of your dishwasher by:

Only running it when it’s full
Using the energy-saving or eco-mode setting
Air drying the dishes instead of using the heated dry cycle

You can also save energy by scraping food off plates rather than rinsing them before loading the dishwasher. The machine’s cleaning cycle is designed to handle lightly soiled dishes.

Don’t have enough dishes? Some other household items can be washed in a dishwasher. It’s also a good idea to clean your dishwasher occasionally.

Reduce Paper Towel Usage

Paper towels have a pretty lousy impact on the environment. They require trees to be cut down, water and energy to produce, and then end up in landfills after a single use.

Whenever possible, use reusable cloth rags or microfiber cloths for cleaning instead. You can also repurpose old t-shirts, towels, or other fabrics as reusable wipes.

When you do need paper towels, opt for recycled or tree-free varieties. Or at least get the Select-a-Size type that tear off in small sections, and tear them into even smaller sections for small jobs.

Get a Kitchen Composter for Food Scraps

If you’re intimidated by big composting tumblers, get a small kitchen composting bin. You can use it to compost fruit and vegetable peels, eggshells, coffee grounds, and more. The finished compost makes excellent fertilizer for your garden or houseplants.

Reduce Plastic Waste

It’s really challenging to eliminate plastic from your life – maybe not even possible – but cutting back makes a difference. Check out How to Avoid Plastic in Your Kitchen.

Bring reusable shopping bags to the grocery store
Avoid plastic straws, utensils, and cups when possible
Purchase items with less packaging or in recyclable containers
Invest in reusable water bottles and coffee mugs
Store food in glass, metal, or silicone containers instead of plastic
Replace disposable plastic bags with reusable ones in your food storage routine.

Eat More Plant-Based Foods

The production of meat and dairy products has a big, bad environmental footprint, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and habitat destruction. You’ll hear a lot of people insisting you must go vegan this instant!

But by just reducing the animal products in your diet, you can still make a big impact. Try having one meatless meal per week, and gradually increasing the amount of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and other plant-based foods in your diet.

You can also explore meat alternatives like tofu, tempeh, or plant-based burgers. (I love a good black bean burger patty!)

Reduce Food Waste

Food waste is a huge problem in developed countries. A lot of this is businesses throwing away food they don’t sell. But you can work on this at home too.

Plan meals in advance, buy only what you need, and get creative with leftovers. Store perishable foods properly, compost inedible scraps, and donate any unopened, non-perishable items you won’t use.

Shop Secondhand

Textiles are also a huge burden on the environment. Instead of always buying brand new clothes and cloth-covered furniture, consider shopping secondhand at thrift stores, yard sales, or online marketplaces. Or swapping old clothes with friends of the same size.

This gives used goods a new lease on life and keeps them out of landfills. It also reduces the demand for new products, which require more resources to manufacture.

You can find great deals on clothing, furniture, books, toys, and more when shopping secondhand. It’s an easy way to save money while also being kinder to the planet.

Reduce Water Usage

In addition to fixing leaks and taking shorter showers, there are other ways to conserve water around your home. Check out 23 Easy Ways to Save Water.

Only run the dishwasher and washing machine with full loads
Turn off the faucet while brushing your teeth or shaving
Water your lawn and garden early in the morning or evening to minimize evaporation
Install low-flow faucets, showerheads, and toilets
Use a broom instead of a hose to clean outdoor spaces

minimize Waste From Holidays and Events

Holidays, birthdays, weddings, and other special events often generate a lot of waste from disposable plates, cups, decorations, and packaging. To make these celebrations more eco-friendly:

Use reusable or compostable tableware instead of single-use plastics
Opt for digital invitations or recycled/plantable paper
Decorate with natural, sustainable materials like flowers, greenery, or recycled items
Encourage guests to bring their own reusable containers for leftovers
Donate or repurpose decorations, favors, and other items after the event
Find ways other than balloon releases to mark occasions.

Drive Less, Drive Greener

Transportation is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, so finding ways to drive less and drive more efficiently can have a big impact. Some ideas include:

Walking, biking, or using public transportation when possible
Combining errands to reduce overall driving time
Maintaining your vehicle with regular tune-ups and tire rotations
Considering a hybrid or electric vehicle for your next car
Avoiding excessive idling, which wastes gas

But for those of you in a position to do it, work from home is one of the best ways to cut down on consumption. This is why oil billionaires spend a lot of money on propaganda campaigns to convince bosses remote work isn’t productive. But it is, and that was proven long before 2020.

Buy Local and Seasonal Produce

Purchasing locally-grown, seasonal produce is better for the environment than buying fruits and vegetables that have been shipped long distances. Local foods require less fuel for transportation and have a lower carbon footprint overall.

Shopping at farmers markets, joining a CSA (community supported agriculture) program, or visiting local farms are all great ways to access fresh, seasonal produce. You’ll also be supporting your local economy and small businesses in the process.

Grow Your Own Veggies

Go even more local by growing your own veggies. This takes some work and isn’t practical for everyone. But even with very little space, you may be able to grow at least a few food items.

Rain Barrel

If you do any gardening at all in your yard, consider getting a rain barrel to collect rainwater to use for watering plants and gardening.

Make Your Own Cleaning Products

Ditch your store bought house cleaning products for eco-friendly cleaning alternatives. You can make your own DIY cleaning solutions using simple ingredients like vinegar and baking soda.

What about environmental friendly brands at the store? Eh, some of these are okay, but no one oversees their claims. Beware of “greenwashing”, when companies claim to be doing sustainable practices, but they’re actually doing way more harm in other areas.

Consume less!

I probably should have started here, but just buying less stuff is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint. Think twice – or 12 times – before giving into impulse buys. Start thinking in terms of how much joy and item will give you, and whether it’s really worth the space it’ll take or the money it will cost.

Don’t trade devices so often

If you trade your mobile devices, laptops or printers every couple of years, wait. I have never replaced a phone more often than every 5 years, and have gone as long as 8 for a 3G phone I refused to replace until they basically stopped maintaining the 3G networks.

Most devices are built to last, so the companies make you think you need to upgrade them frequently, offering too-good-to-be-true deals on trade-ins. This has a terrible impact on the environment. Just hold off and you’ll save more money than any trade-in deal was going to save you.

Energy Star Appliances

When it’s time for new appliances, invest in energy-efficient appliances that have high ENERGY STAR ratings. Low flow toilets are a great way to save water. Induction ranges save electricity, improve your indoor air quality and cook things really fast. (Yes, I have one – it’s awesome!)

Plant trees

Trees filter carbon out of the atmosphere and put oxygen back in. Every tree you plant and maintain makes a tiny difference. Also consider planting bushes and smaller plants.

For bonus points, go for native plants (to your area) that attract pollinators like birds, bees and butterflies. It’s a big win for the environment, and you’ll get to enjoy seeing the birds and insects right in your own back yard.