It is always a good time to make your life more sustainable. So why not start now?

We all have a role to play when it comes to reducing our carbon footprint and trying to save the planet. And if each of us makes small daily changes to our lifestyle, we can collectively have a massive impact on the future of planet earth.

While living sustainably has been a hot topic for years, there really is no time to waste when it comes to doing our part now. From being strategic to what we buy and from what brands to being conscious of how we travel, we can really step it up with sustainable living.

But what even is sustainable living? Often referred to as green living, sustainable living means that you are making a conscious effort to avoid depleting the earth of the natural resources it needs and reducing the carbon footprint you are making on this earth. In short, it means that you are making healthier decisions for both your own life and the collective world. It can be anything from our fashion choices to water consumption.

And why start now? Well, with the winter season being well and truly here and the new year just around the corner, why not make this your New Year’s resolution? You will be challenged and reminded to enhance the way you live through daily choices and feel fulfilment from doing something for the greater good.

The best part is that it is actually really easy to get started. In fact, we believe that everyone can live more sustainably. This is why we have gathered the top tips to follow for a sustainable 2022 and beyond. If you get started now, we will all be one step closer to a healthier planet for us all.

Step 1: Take Small Steps
One of the biggest reasons people find it hard to commit to a sustainable lifestyle long-term is because they try to go too big, too fast. But we want you to be able to stick at it for all of next year and, hopefully, the rest of your life too. So make small changes at first. This can be as simple as using eco-friendly dog poop bags while you are out for your daily walk with your pet. It is a simple brand product switch that will start to pay dividends for the planet. From there, you can work your way up to making more drastic changes, such as trying to live through renewable energy or growing all your own food.

Step 2: Research Your Brands
For marketing purposes, nearly every brand loves to make the claim that they are eco-friendly and green. But the reality is that they are using this term quite loosely. And recent studies have found that many companies are far from actually being considered sustainable, despite their claims that they are. A great example of this is the beauty industry. Many brands love to throw the tagline in that it is eco-friendly makeup, while still having chemicals inside their ingredients. But some of the best sustainable makeup companies go the extra mile in making their products truly sustainable, such as reusable makeup rounds both exfoliate your skin, wipe away makeup and reduce your waste. So take the time to get online and research exactly how brands are living out their sustainability claims before you decide to support them. The extra effort will make a true difference!

Another example of this comes from the type of medicine we use too. In fact, there is now the world's first clean medicine company that is setting the standard in the pharmaceutical world—making sure that active ingredients are used without reliance on chemicals or artificial ingredients that really do not do your body any good. Shopping for clean medicine has never been easier and will also let you live more sustainably, even when you are feeling under the weather.

Step 3: Re-Imagine What You Eat
While you do not have to go hard-core vegan to save the planet, plant based meals can help you reduce your meat intake and have a role in decreasing the number of greenhouse gasses going up into our environment as a result of the world consuming too much meat. Not only will eating plant-based meals make you feel better because you will be getting a larger variety of fruits and vegetables, but it will also reduce your temptation to purchase pre-packaged food. Think about how much waste also goes out there from that box of crackers or pasta you purchased. But when it comes to fruits and vegetables, there is hardly any wastage in terms of packaging too.

When it also comes to the food front, you will want to make sure that you are using non toxic cookware. Not only can certain appliances be harmful to your health, but also for the environment as well. So when stocking your kitchen with all your cooking appliances, take time to do your due diligence with that as well. Re-imagining what you eat and how you cook your food can really have a long-term impact on the health of the planet too.

Step 4: Buy Plastic-Free Products
This one is a simple daily habit we should all be getting into. The plastic consumption of this planet is out of control. And we should all try to avoid plastic at all possible costs. It is one of the biggest pollutants in our ocean and the cause of many marine species going extinct. Luckily, places like the Package Free Shop let you purchase your everyday needs without plastic packaging that is harmful to the environment. They have everything from dental floss to hair ties and incense. Imagine the possibilities for this earth if we all committed to going plastic-free, even on just a few everyday items.

Step 5: Change Up Your Transportation
Another big lifestyle change you can make to live more sustainably is how you get around for your daily transportation. For those that have shorter or non-hilly commutes, why not ride around on a bicycle. E-Bikes have also made it easier for those that are less athletic to swap the car for the bike and not have to be a sweaty mess to simply ride to the grocery store. Or, why not trade in your gas-guzzling car for a new electric Tesla. More affordable than ever, an electric car will help you have a real impact on the health of the planet while also saving you a fortune on gas. There are also many hybrid car options to consider as well. And if you need to fly somewhere, consider trying to offset your carbon footprint for that trip . There are many airlines that will give you the option to select a carbon offset donation, where they will then plant a tree on your behalf. Or, you can even give back to the destination you are visiting by planting a local tree there yourself with a community group.

In general, going sustainable is easier than you think. From making small changes to your daily routine to committing to live plastic-free and taking the time to research the companies you are considering buying from, you will be well on your way to achieving your New Year’s resolution and making the world a better place, too.