9 Ways To Live More Sustainably In Your 20s

If sustainability is something that has been on your mind, but you don’t know where to start, this article is for you. In order to create a better world for ourselves and future generations, finding ways to live more sustainably is key.

It can be overwhelming with so much information out there. In this article I’ll be sharing nine tips and practices that you can do to live more sustainably in your twenties. 

What Does It Mean To Live Sustainably?

When you choose to live more sustainably you are committing to make daily choices that reduce environmental damage. From the clothes you wear to the food you eat, and the habits you partake in to the way you get to work, all these little things add up.

By choosing more ways to live sustainably you are making conscious choices that will positively impact the earth, and yourself.

9 Ways To Live More Sustainably In Your 20s

Now that you have an idea of what it means to live sustainably, here are nine ways to make it happen.

1. Stop Participating In Fast Fashion

If you aren’t familiar with what fast fashion is, think of places like Old Navy, American Eagle, Fashion Nova, H&M, etc.. Fast fashion is a result of people’s obsession with wanting to stay on trend. And so, clothing companies are churning out mass products to help them do that. Most of the products end up in landfills after said trends have moved on to something new. 

You may be wondering, how do you make the switch from fast fashion to slow fashion? One way is to upcycle the clothes that you already have. I’ll talk about this later on in this post.

Basically you’ll want to think of new ways to use the clothes. Can you cut the jeans you have and turn them to shorts? Or take a shirt you no longer want to wear and turn it into a new scarf? Those are just a few ideas. 

But, if you do want to purchase new clothes, consider shopping at second hand stores, boutiques, or slow fashion retailers. Some examples of sustainable clothing brands are Pact, tentree, and Whimsy + Row.

2. Buy Organically

When you buy products organically you are not only supporting your health, but also the health of the workers that grew and manufactured the products, and the earth itself. When you are able to, it’s best to choose organic when buying things like fruit and veggies, meat, and eggs to name a few.

3. Pay Attention To The Ingredients In The Products That You Use

Food is only one area of concern when it comes to living a sustainable life. You also want to pay attention to what’s in your hair care, beauty, and wellness products.

For all the reasons mentioned before, your health, the manufacturer’s health, and the earth, you want to be sure there are no harmful ingredients in what you use. Some of those harmful ingredients to look out for are parabens, synthetic fragrances, formaldehyde, phthalates, and more.

4. Upcycle Items To Live More Sustainably

We talked about this a little earlier in this post. Upcycling can make fun DIY projects, and it’s a great way to find new uses for items that you were going to throw out.

Use old jeans for unique decor pieces, old shirts sewn together make a great quilt, and more. My advice? Before throwing something out do a simple search to see what you can transform the item into.

5. Save Energy & Water Where You Can

Next up it’s time to talk about saving. This is one of the easiest switches you can make as you start your sustainability journey. Saving the energy and water in your home is as simple as keeping lights off in rooms you aren’t in, unplugging electronics that aren’t in use, cutting the water off while you are brushing your teeth, and taking quicker showers.

Another plus about doing these activities is that your water and power bill will be lower, saving you money. Talk about a win-win.

6. Get From Point A To Point B Sustainably

When it’s time to hit the road you need to think of the option that is going to be best for the environment when you are trying to live sustainably. If your destination is a short distance away, consider walking there because we all need a little fresh air anyway, right?

If you are going to work or hanging out with friends, see if you can carpool. Switches like this make a big difference for the environment.

7. Plan Your Meals As A Way To Live More Sustainably

Did you know you can take sustainability a step further at meal time? In addition to buying organic, if you plan out your meals – and stick to it, you’ll have less food waste on your hands.

In fact, you’ll be buying exactly what you need, nothing more and nothing less. Planning your meals may take some getting used to if you aren’t used to it. The more you do it though, the easier it will become.

8. Find Sustainable Brands That You Love

It’s easy to live a sustainable life when you have go-to brands to shop from to get the things you need. From your groceries to beauty products, and everything in between. Take the time to research brands, find out which ones you love, and which ones you don’t.

That way, before long you won’t have to think about where to get your sustainable products. I shared some great clothing brands earlier in this post, here are some other great brands to start your journey with.

9. Stay Informed

Lastly, you’ll want to find some resources to help you on this sustainability journey. We recommend The Honest Consumer, Sustainable Jungle, and Going Zero Waste.

These sites share tips on how to incorporate sustainability into your daily life, brand/product reviews and lists, and much more.

Final Thoughts On Ways To Live More Sustainably

I hope these tips helped you realize that you too can start living a more sustainable life. But, don’t overwhelm yourself. Pick one or two ways to live more sustainably to start with and go from there.

Before you know it you’ll be living a sustainable life that protects the earth, yourself, and is great for the community.

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