5 Easy Steps To Stay Sustainable All Year

Every new year often comes with a renewed sense of purpose and a need to either change or continue habits. What better way to start fresh than by adopting simple sustainable habits? Making small changes in your daily life has the power to collectively impact not only the planet but improve your life and expense as well. Here are five sustainable resolutions you can add into your routine to have a greener, sustainable year, every year.

1. Conserve Water

Water is one of the most precious resources we have and it’s often wasted a lot. Dripping faucets, running taps whilst brushing are just one of a few things leading to this. Making small changes in your water usage can save hundreds of gallons over the year. Simply turning off the tap whilst brushing can save around 9 litres a minute. Also opting for water-efficient fixtures like low-flow showerheads can help as well. The average showerhead uses about 10 litres of water per minute whilst power showers use around 15 litres per minute.

These might seem like tiny changes but they help towards preserving water better and also lowering your utility bills.

2. Unplug Appliances When Not in Use

Plugged appliances not being used are one of the biggest culprits of energy wastage. Appliances like televisions, microwaves, desktops and chargers continue consuming electricity even when not being actively used. A good solution would be unplugging these when not in use or turning it off from the socket; especially when going out to work or travelling for a period.

Additionally, investing in smart plugs makes this task easier. These plugs automatically cut power to appliances when they’re not in use. They also have the ability to set schedules which can ensure devices turn off or on when required. Adopting these habits help in lowering your carbon footprint, reducing your energy consumption as well as your electricity bills over time.. 

3. Ditch Single-Use Plastics

Single use plastics continually impact the environment negatively, from the oceans being polluted to wildlife being harmed. Swapping plastics for reusable alternatives is a heavy help as it contributes towards the lower reliance on use of disposable plastics.

One way to start would be with the items we get daily – grocery bags, food containers, straws, drinks and so on. Replacing plastic straws with metal straws or bamboo straws is massively helpful. Additionally, carrying around a reusable water bottle / travel mug with you can reduce the need for having to get plastic straws.

These are just a few of many ways this can be tackled. You can read more in our other article talking about 9 ways to reduce your daily packaging and plastic waste.

4. Opt for Reusable Drinkware

If you already have a reusable cup or water bottle, that’s a massive symbol of sustainability. Using reusable drinkware made from upcycled or recycled materials actively makes you an awesome participant of the waste reduction journey. Here’s a fun fact –

According to Zero Waste Scotland, If we all used reusable cups instead of disposable ones, carbon emissions could fall by 69%.

So whether you’re commuting to work, school, the gym or visiting a friend, reusable drinkware is a very effective way of adopting sustainability into your lifestyle. Ideal reusable drinkware like a coffee cup, water bottle or travel mug would be one that is insulated to either keep drinks hot or cold and also leakproof with a solid locking mechanism to ensure it doesn’t spill unto anything. Our drinkware prioritises this and ensures every product incorporates these factors for functionality, without dropping the style aspect. Take a look at our reusable drinkware collection to see which one fits your lifestyle.

Every sip you take can be one towards a much more greener future.

5. Consider Heating Alternatives During Winter

During winter especially, heating accounts for a heavy portion of household energy use. This year, try some energy-efficient alternatives that make sure you stay warm whilst reducing your carbon footprint. Start off by making sure your home is properly insulated to prevent heat loss. Seal gaps around windows and doors, get heat retaining curtains and consider adding weather stripping where required.

You can also invest in smart thermostats that aid in optimising your heating schedules based on the times you’re home. Lastly, it’s always important to layer up with the coziest blankets and warm clothing. It remains one of the most cost-effective ways to reduce the dependence on heating appliances while staying comfortable.

Make Your Green Year Count

These habits may be small, but have great impacts on the environment as well as cost-effectiveness. If you would like to see some numbers to visualise the change you contribute, view our article highlighting 10 examples.  By adopting these practices into your daily life, you’ll be contributing towards a healthier earth whilst reducing your expenses and energy usage. Explore our blog for more sustainability tips and industry insights. Alternatively, you can also view our drinkware collection to find the one that suits your style.

Let’s make this year a big step towards a greener tomorrow.