Sustainability is not about one person adopting a perfectly sustainable lifestyle. Sustainability is about each person across the planet taking one small step every day to adopt sustainability as a way of life. These 'SDG Tips for Daily Life' are simple suggestions that can help us live sustainabily.
Take active interest in building your community the way you want it to be.
Initiate community activities to build a sense of belonging and vibrancy.
Challenge to encourage at least one person every day who may be ‘left behind’
Be mindful about respecting the opinions of others even if they are different from our own.
Do away with traditional and discriminatory practices like having separate lifts, separate glass / bottle, separate seating spaces for labourers and domestic workers.
Ordering online? Ask your online delivery partner to use eco-friendly packaging for your products.
Ordering online? Make your purchase in one go. Ask your online delivery partners to deliver all products on the same day in a common packaging. This will help reduce the packaging material as well as save the transport costs.
Stay informed by reading about issues around child labour, forced labour, and modern slavery; discuss and share your learnings with others.
Avoid bargaining / negotiating / haggling from small time vendors / labourers / daily wage earners.
Make decent and timely payments to household staff.
Invest in renewable energy resources, such as: solar energy or wind energy.
Spread awareness among the poor and the underprivileged on the importance of having a proper defecation system at home.
Do not throw away half consumed water bottles. Make sure the entire bottle of water is consumed.
When going on a holiday to a beach or a mountain, do not throw any garbage in the water streams, or the beach, or the hills.
Educate young girls about and provide support to women for proper menstrual hygiene.
Read up about water footprint of the everyday products you consume and make responsible and conscious decisions regarding your consumption habits and choices.
Consciously reflect on one’s own behavior and improve one’s attitude towards women on a daily basis, and strive to promote healthy, respectful relationships across genders.
Pledge to never inflict any form of violence on women, both physically and psychologically.
Check in with the domestic workers, labourers, drivers, cooks etc employed by you in your home - do their children go to school. Encourage and support the children of your employees to complete their education, including for girls and the differently-abled.
Use your voice to promote the education of girls, and of the differently-abled.
Get your children vaccinated and encourage others to get vaccinated as well.
Check in on others and their mental well-being from time-to-time.
Take care of your mental well-being, practice meditation, reduce anxiety and stress.
Go for regular health check ups and take good care of your health.
Drive carefully, follow all road and safety protocols etiquettes and prevent road rage.
Educate and empower others in your environment (domestic workers, laborers, etc) about the harmful effects of substance abuse and alcohol.
Practice responsible drinking.
Say no to drugs and other addictive substances.
Buy Funny Fruit - many fruits and vegetables are thrown out because their size, shape, or color are not “right”. Buying these perfectly good funny fruit, utilizes food that might otherwise go to waste.
Take personal responsibility to learn practical and in-demand skills which can serve as full or part-time employment especially if you are a young person.
Empower and teach women and young people, especially teenagers, about the importance of financial independence - along with teaching steps on how to become financially independent.
Quit smoking. Not only will it save your health, but it will save the environment as well. If you are unable to quit smoking, do not litter the environment with cigarette butts.
Do not engage in road rage.
Do not initiate violent action, violent words, or violent words. Work on inner transformation and lead a peaceful life.
Spend some time each week quietly reflecting on how you would like to relate to others, thereby developing a peaceful world.
Peace begins at home. Build a peaceful and harmonious environment at home.
Volunteer at local anti-violence organizations and outreach programmes.
Stop violence against women if you witness it. Report it.
Exercise your right to vote.
Participate in your country’s decision making processes in an informed and peaceful manner.
Find value in different demographics, thoughts and beliefs for an inclusive society.
When you go into stores, or when you participate in market places, make environmentally friendly choices that are in favor of our planet.
Eat seasonal produce (locally grown food). Seasonal foods from your region travel less miles and are therefore more climate-friendly and more pocket friendly as well.
Eat less meat. Maybe designate days in a week when you will not eat any meat. The production and distribution of meat has a huge impact on greenhouse gas emission.
Never buy products made from threatened or endangered species.
Be responsible when pursuing marine recreational activities such as boating, fishing, snorkeling, diving, kayaking etc. Thoughtfulness and mindfulness is the key.
Avoid buying wild-caught, salt-water fish for your home aquarium.
Inform yourself on ocean activities by watching educational DVDs and documentaries. #SDG14 #LifeBelowWater
Respect laws related to overfishing.
Start regularly volunteering in community groups to clean up a portion of the beach from litter if living nearby.
Use fewer plastic products, which often end up in oceans causing the death of marine life.
Don’t buy jewelry and other items made from coral, tortoise shells, or other marine life. Each life matters.
Spread awareness about ways to stop global warming.
Encourage and take lead in organizing tree plantation drive for your school or company each year. Trees give away oxygen and take in carbon dioxide.
Maintain your car. A well-maintained car emits fewer toxic fumes.
Take cloth bags / reusable bags to the store for shopping.
Avoid driving in peak hour traffic. Take public transport instead. Save your vehicle's energy as well as your own energy.
Eating out at a restaurant or hotel? Don’t throw away that half glass of water or half eaten food. Finish off all the water that you have in your glass, and donate the leftover food to charities.
Do a cold wash. Warm water uses more energy.
Buy sustainable products including electronics, toys, shampoo, groceries etc. Sustainable products are those products that provide environmental, social and economic benefits while protecting public health and environment over their whole life cycle, from the extraction of raw materials until the final disposal.
Do you have fruit that is overripe? Don't throw them out. Make smoothies out of them.
Don’t keep clothes or other items that you are not using. Donate them to those in need.
Reach out to underprivileged areas of your city. Integrate people of different class and ethnicity and include them in decision-making processes that involve them, including their living conditions, pollution, and so on.
Educate yourself on the cultural and natural heritage of your area. Visit heritage sites and post about these in a positive light.
Advocate and support development of sports and recreational spaces in your community. They help build stronger, healthier, happier and safer communities.
Generate awareness about your city’s carbon footprint and suggest ways to improve it.
Gather in small groups in your local community to brainstorm ways to ensure safe and accessible public spaces especially for women, children, elderly people, and people with disabilities.
Provide employment opportunities to people with disabilities.
Unlearn stereotypes and make friends with all kinds of people who may belong to different backgrounds than you or who may do things differently than you.
Encourage children to make friends with kids from different cultures.
Read books to children / self read such books that describe all cultures.
Travel the world to learn about different cultures.
Stop stereotypes. Write a blog, write articles, posts, short stories, poetry etc that break away from the prejudiced biases and differentiating narrative.
Say Yes to increasing the minimum wage of lowest earning people.
Take your kids / make a personal visit to the park and other community spaces and look for opportunities to talk to different people. Learn about them and understand them.
Host a small event for people to donate their unused, working phones / laptops etc, and in turn raise awareness about the lack of infrastructure for communication services that 1 to 1.5 billion people around the world still do not have.
Immerse yourself. Organize groups to visit regions where basic needs are missing. This will broaden understanding and motivate people to act on it.
Make cities healthy. Turn empty roof space on buildings into green roofs. They improve air quality, insulation by up to 25%, they absorb sound, promote social integration and more.
Don’t throw away, give away. Upgrading our electronic gadgets is inevitable, but often our gadgets are still in good working condition. Pass on your old working devices to those in need, or recycle them - as certain parts can be recovered.
Keep up to date with the latest technologies and innovations. Many new technological innovations can help lead a sustainable life.
Get free insurance for your domestic workers, shop workers, rickshaw pullers etc. The Ministry of Labour and Employment in India allows for a free insurance of INR 2 lakhs by making an E-Shram card for all domestic and small scale workers.
Provide child care services at your organization, such as creche, feeding area, playing area, paternity and maternity leaves, etc. It can drastically help reduce your company's attrition rate.
Ensure safe and healthy working conditions for your employees.
Provide food for low-earning workers.
Encourage more job opportunities for youth and women.
Financially assist training and development programs for your employees for an enhanced skill set.
Provide reduced rates on quality health systems and facilities for employees.
Provide stability to employees within your organization. Empower young professionals to grow into their positions.
Become a micro-lender and empower young people to become entrepreneurs.
Going on a holiday? Be sure to turn off all electric points and electronic equipments such as TVs, computers, Wi-Fi router etc.
Efficient home designs also combine energy efficient constructions, appliances and lighting, such as solar water heating and solar electricity.
Installing air-conditioning? Ask for solar air conditioning.
While boiling water or cooking food, cover the pan with a lid. It reduces the amount of energy required by almost 75%.
Support solar power projects for schools, colleges, and offices.
In winters, fill the house with carpets to keep the house warm naturally.
Only fill the kettle to the amount of water needed.
Whether using a public washroom or a private washroom at home, develop proper hygiene habits and keep the toilet clean after every use.
Teach children the importance of washing / sanitizing hands regularly, especially after using the toilet, and before eating. This one small action can protect us from so many diseases.
Never discard toxic chemicals such as paints, chemicals (like phenyl) or medication in the toilet / drain. It pollutes lakes and rivers and causes health problems in marine life and humans.
Get a dual flush toilet installed in your home and workplace. Use the flush as per need.
When welcoming guests at home, instead of offering a full glass of water straightaway, ask them instead if they would like to drink any water, and how much water they would like to drink. Serve as per need.
Fix leaks at home. A leaky faucet can waste more than 11,000 liters of water per year.
When ice-cubes are left over from a drink, don’t throw them away, Put them in plants.
Practice and demonstrate to children equal decision-making processes at home.
Gender equality starts at home. Divide responsibilities at home in such a way that does not prescribe to predefined gender roles.
Provide guidance, direction and coaching to women to help build their confidence and careers.
Increase gender representation in areas of leadership in the workplace.
Encourage schools to provide scholarships for girls.
Make education fun. Take kids to planetariums, field trips, museums. Watch informative and educational movies, documentaries etc together.
Donate books to public libraries or public schools in need.
Educate your kids about the power of education, as many don’t see the tangible benefits.
Try and get enough sleep every day. A good sleep will not only keep your body healthy, but will help you keep your mind sharp and focused too.
Never stop learning. Engaging in work or educational activities helps lift older people out of depression. Learn a new language, practice a new instrument, set up a book club.
Eat a healthy diet and drink plenty of water. Stay hydrated.
Make time for yourself / your friends.
Read books on various SDGs. A greater understanding of the causes of suffering in this world, and possible solutions, inspiring stories offered by the authors will keep you motivated to make a difference.
Plant some fruit trees in your community. The fruit from these trees will serve as a free bank of nutrition for many who can’t afford to buy their own fruit. Plus they provide fresh oxygen, more greenery and more shade.
Provide food for schools in developing countries. When there is lunch available, attendance increases.
Is it your birthday? Offer the option to your friends and family to donate money to your chosen charity in replacement of a birthday gift.
Teach a skill or short course at a community center or to the underprivileged for free (a second language, computer skills, building a resume, preparing for job interviews, speaking confidently, etc)
Sponsor a child so that they can have access to food, clothing, good health, education.
Volunteer in homeless shelters / orphanages etc.
Generate discussion around poverty. Write a blog, or write an article in a local newspaper.
Do not discriminate on the basis of caste, religion, sex, race, etc. Educate yourself and remove prejudices against others. Each life matters.
Take your own water bottle with you while going out. Helps reduce plastic waste.
Take responsibility for a young tree in your neighbourhood and take care of it. Many trees are planted by the municipal authorities or NGOs, but whither away because of lack of continued care during its growing phase.
Avoid using products that endanger wildlife / or have been tested on wildlife.
Worn out bed sheets? Why not make cleaning dusters out of them? Recycle.
Provide education to at least 1 child from underprivileged background in your community, or contribute towards their education.
Become financially independent and empower others to become financially independent too by continuously expanding one's knowledge about various financial instruments.
Learn new technologies and teach others in your family about the same, like teaching your grandparents or domestic workers, car cleaners etc how to use a smartphone. Bridge the digital divide.
Discuss the SDGs and sustainable practices at your workplace, community and family with a positive perspective and share how each person's sustainable human behaviour can help change the tide.
Buy only that which you need. Save money and create less waste. As Mahatma Gandhi once famously said: “The world has enough for everyone's need, but not enough for everyone's greed.”
Plant local varieties of plants in your garden. Explore which are the local varieties. Local plants and trees can provide aesthetic as well as ecological benefits. Nothing beats the fragrance of the Indian rose.
Use rechargeable batteries for electronic appliances wherever possible.
Did you know - In 2019, 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste was produced. This is more than the entire population of Kenya (53 million). And only 17% of this 53.6 million tonnes of e-waste was recycled sustainably. This means 83% of the electronic waste generated in 2019 was discarded through improper means and has the potential to be thrown to landfills where it can leak harmful toxins into the earth. Let’s avoid creating e-waste. Buy only those electronic gadgets that you need. Only after your current mobile phone is useless, think about buying another one.
Using a washing machine for cleaning clothes? Make sure it's filled to full capacity before you plug it on. The washing machine uses a lot of water every time it’s used. Washing machines are also most energy efficient when they are washed with a full load of clothes.
Learn about services the ecosystem provides to us free of cost - like air we breathe, water, soil, etc. Learn how your activities can further support them.
Explore rainwater harvesting in your home or locality to store water during the rainy season.
Engage in a dialogue with at least one person of a different gender and check with them what social challenges they face in their day-to-day life. Listen, learn and keep an open mind about social diversity.
When we walk in a park, or around a natural landscape and appreciate its beauty, we are able to form a connection between the environment and self. Take a walk in the park, look up at the stars and clouds, or go on a hike to rekindle the bond with nature.
Be more active. Go for walks at lunchtime, or cycle to work. Stay healthy. Movement is medicine.
Express gratitude. Appreciate your learning ability, resources and education, and your role in society to create value based on these privileges you have in your life.
Think about physical accessibility to places from the perspective of differently-abled people.
Learn about human rights. Respect all human beings' rights.
Learn at least one thing about sustainability practices being adapted by diverse cultures and traditions.
Learn about sustainable practices of your local culture and tradition by visiting a museum.
Sustainability is an ever-evolving field. What works today may not necessarily work tomorrow. Develop the spirit to constantly learn about sustainability and SDGs, and unlearn wherever needed, and adapt sustainable human behaviour as a basic way of life.
Use a reusable pen for writing and remember to reuse it.
Did you know - a report by the International Consumer Protection and Enforcement Network (a network of governmental consumer protection authorities from over 65 nations) found that 40% of sustainability claims online could be misleading. Given that this is a largely unregulated space, it is easy for anyone to make false claims about their sustainability practice and greenwash. Do your own research on sustainability. Look out for certifications and logos on the products to ascertain they are following ethical and sustainable practices.
Maximize the usage of a razor and other products by cleaning and storing them properly.
Speak to one person about the importance of leading a sustainable life.
Let’s refrain from passing judgments on anything without understanding the complete picture. Each life matters.
When ordering food from outside, order less than what you feel like eating. It saves resources and benefits your health.
Avoid browsing for long hours on your smart-phone. This has the double advantage of a longer battery life for your smart-phone and less eye strain for you.
Book those cab / taxis / other modes of public transport which run on renewable sources of energy, instead of ones that run on petrol or diesel.
When printing a document, ensure that it is error-free to reduce the number of reprints.
Whenever you make a card payment, avoid taking the printed receipt for the payment.
Read constantly to understand the importance of SDGs in our lives.
Learn a new skill.
Refrain from posting or promoting derogatory or discriminatory content on social media.
Use vegetable waste to prepare your own manure for plants.
Avoid driving short distances for groceries, instead try walking all the way. This way you build your health and also save fuel.
Use your laptop without plugging in the charger. This way you save electricity and also ensure that the battery lasts longer.
Invest in editing software which helps you to make changes to documents without printing and scanning again, thus saving paper and electricity.
Reuse scraps of paper, or one-sided paper for note taking, instead of discarding them. These can be used in place of notebooks or registers.
Rethink your viewing habits. If you’re streaming video content to a small screen, think about watching in standard definition rather than high definition. You won’t necessarily notice much difference in picture quality, and this can reduce the carbon footprint of video streaming by up to 90%. In a similar vein, you can cut the carbon footprint of web conferencing by 96% simply by switching off your camera when you don’t need to use it. Great news on less-than-perfect hair days!
Rethink how you approach "best before" dates. Just because food is past its "best before" date, doesn’t mean it’s ready for the bin. Food waste is responsible for a sizable chunk of our greenhouse gas emissions, which contribute to climate change.
Recycle water to use on your plants.
Never flush wet wipes, cosmetic wipes, sanitary pads or diapers down the loo. These can cause 'fatbergs' and end up littering beaches when sewers overflow.
Cut down on single-use plastic. Or better still, avoid any single-use plastic all-together.
Replacing a washing machine every five years produces 1.1 tons more CO2 than keeping it for 20 years, according to the European Environmental Bureau. Make your washing machine last longer by descaling it regularly, loading it evenly when you wash bulky items such as pillows and emptying the pockets of your clothing before adding them to the drum.
Try and make your next car an electric one.
If you don’t really need the thing you’re buying delivered tomorrow, choose a longer delivery option. Longer delivery time gives retailers the opportunity to plan their delivery schedule more efficiently and for this reason they tend to be more eco-friendly. Group multiple deliveries into one delivery if possible.
Don’t leave things on standby. Many of us are guilty of leaving appliances on standby instead of switching them off. According to the Energy Saving Trust, 9-16% of electricity in our homes is used to power devices on standby. Turning things off, particularly TVs, computers, and gaming consoles could reduce your usage - and your carbon footprint - considerably.
Clean your windows the green way. Making your own window cleaner can be a green, ammonia-free alternative to branded cleaners. Try creating your own cleaning solution by adding one part distilled white vinegar to nine parts water in an old spray bottle. Spray your windows, wipe clean, then buff dry with a microfiber cloth.
Make the most of your freezer. Use it to store any food you won’t get around to eating before it spoils and prioritize the foods in your fridge that don’t freeze well instead.
Measure your carbon footprint (the amount of CO2 emissions your lifestyle produces). Use the carbon footprint calculator apps to know the amount of CO2 generated by you. What we count, we can reduce.
Avoid palm oil. Palm oil is found in a huge range of products, from bread to ice cream. But the way it’s farmed has been linked to rainforest clearance. Make your voice heard on this issue by switching to palm oil-free products.
A simple way to cut down on single-use plastic in your weekly shop, is to opt for loose fruit and vegetables instead of bagged produce. Take your own reusable produce bags with you if you find this more manageable.
Clean your microwave the eco way! Heat a small, microwavable bowl of water in the microwave until the inside of the microwave looks steamy. Let the steam clear a little then wipe down the inside surfaces of the microwave with a clean cloth. Add a few slices of lemon to the water before heating it if your microwave needs freshening up. This way, you end up avoiding the harmful chemicals.
Instead of reaching for the bleach or harsh chemical toilet cleaners when you want to freshen the toilet bowl, pour a cup of bicarbonate of soda down the loo once a week to naturally neutralize odors. Leave overnight then flush away.
Use vinegar to tackle limescale. A great alternative to harsh chemical descalers. Distilled white vinegar works wonders on limescale.
Question yourself before you buy. Ask yourself: How often will you wear it? Is it a good investment? Will you get value for your money? Do you really feel like you need it? Wait 10 days, and then go back to it and see if you really still need it.
Did you know that it takes 1,020 liters of water to produce one liter of cow’s milk? To produce the same amount of soya milk, you need 297 liters of water, and even less for other crops such as oats. Maybe it’s time to reconsider your dairy intake.
Buy fewer highly processed foods. Processing food uses valuable energy, and their cardboard and plastic packaging creates waste.
Take smaller portions of food on your plate. It helps reduce food waste and helps maintain the waistline too.
Eat more plant-based meals.
When ordering food at a restaurant, take leftovers home with you. Better still, carry your own containers from home.
Have pollution-fighting plants (like snake plants, or spider plants) in your home / workplace.
Buying second-hand clothes is not a bad way to support the environment.
Why not buy some second-hand furniture?
Try to combine multiple errands in one trip instead of multiple trips throughout the week.
Put out some water for birds and stray animals in the sweltering heat. Each life matters.
Buy regional products. Due to transport by lorry, ship or even plane, the carbon footprint of many foods is extremely poor.
Declutter your home. It doesn’t only give a positive environment, but a positive mind space too.
Reduce microplastic in your home. Educate and empower yourself on how and from where the microplastic is entering into your home.
Rent a dress for that single special occasion instead of buying a new one for a single time wear.
Understand fast fashion and how it can be more sustainable and accessible.
Opt for wooden to hang your clothes instead of plastic ones. They are much more durable and sturdy and can last you for your entire lifetime.
Get to know your area's recycling rules. Understanding what can and can’t be recycled is key to reducing the amount of garbage heading to landfills.
Create your own recycling system in your home. Use boxes that can be carried and emptied easily. Have different containers for materials such as paper, plastic and glass, and use stackable bins that take up less space.
Try not to buy items like juice and milk in cartons, they are very hard to recycle because they are made up of different types of materials. They do take less energy to manufacture and transport than tin cans do.
Optimize your preheated oven by cooking several items in a row.
Try smaller appliances like a slow cooker and pressure cookers. They help preserve the energy used in cooking.
Use high-quality cookware that is made from highly conductive materials which typically allows you to get the same results while using approximately 25% less heat. Glass or ceramic pans are better in the oven, and pans with a copper bottom are better on stovetops.
Save energy while cooking - Keep the stovetop clean. Lots of build-ups can make the burner work more, making it less efficient by using more energy.
Save energy while cooking - Try to match the size of the pot and the burner. Don’t overfill pots with water. Follow the cooking instructions to save energy.
Use what you have! We often forget how much money we already have tied up in stuff inside our kitchen cupboards.
Make a list before you shop. This helps to prevent buying something you already have.
Just say no to bleach. When it gets into our waterways it can lead to high levels of dioxins. Dioxins are environmental pollutants.
Leave shoes at the door and keep out 80 percent of the nastiness they track in, like road sealant, pesticides, lead, and dust. Develop good health through this simple habit.
Instead of using moth baths which are toxic, make your own moth repellent by placing some dried lavender in a small packet and placing it in the cupboard, you can also add some lavender or cedar wood essential oils as moths don't dig either of them!
Ditch the chemicals. Placing half a lemon in the fridge will help to absorb odors. For a smelly microwave put a few slices in a bowl of cold water and turn it on for a few minutes and voila, so good!
Choose eco-friendly cleaners, or even better zero-waste cleaners is the best way to go.
Go for a solar hot water heater. Using the sun's energy to heat your water is pretty cool.
Draught-proof your doors. Adding draught excluder to the windows and doors can help save about 20% of energy costs.
Double glaze your windows. An average home loses up to 30% of its heating and cooling energy through air leaks around windows and doors. If you have leaky windows, you also have rising energy costs. If your windows are more than 10 years old, replacing them may put an end to your skyrocketing heating and cooling bills. If you have single-glazed windows or poorly insulated window frames you might want to consider an upgrade.
Don't cover the radiator with window dressing. Curtain and blinds that go down over the radiator funnel the heat away from the room and out of the window. Make sure window coverings are fit snuggly above the radiator to avoid this type of heat loss.
Let's talk about insulation. It's one of the most important aspects of an energy-efficient home. A well-insulated home will save energy and money. If you have radiators in your home, you might want to consider insulating behind it. This will help you reduce heat loss thanks to gaps and leaks.
Get a programmable thermostat. Installing a programmable thermostat will help you track the amount of energy your home is using and wasting. You could save 20% on yearly energy costs by using this technology.
Light bulbs are considered household hazardous waste and need to be disposed of properly. Check with your local municipality for more information or talk to the manufacturer about proper disposal. Energy-saving light bulbs contain a tiny amount of mercury, which is toxic, proper disposal is so important. Never put old light bulbs in the trash can or the recycling bin.
Give your home a makeover and arrange furniture to optimize natural light. More sunshine is better for our health. Don't block windows with chairs or couches. Make the window the focal point of the room if you can.
Try task lighting - Task lighting provides increased light for specific tasks in a room like eating or reading, instead of lighting the whole room with a bulb that's not that energy-efficient.
Always try to shop local. Save transportation cost for products that have to be sourced from far away locations.
Learn to knit and/or crochet and make your own scarves, hats, and blankets. It will help recycle old clothes, and also help save money.
Save food scraps to make cooking broths.
Eat all the parts of your vegetables rather than discarding them (carrot tops are great in pesto).
Meal plan to avoid food waste.
Get an air purifying plant (like the Chinese evergreen) - fill up your office space / house with natural air purifiers.
Pick up a good book on sustainable living to enhance your knowledge on how to lead a more sustainable lifestyle.
Educate yourself with documentaries on sustainable lifestyle.
Go plogging (jogging plus picking up litter). Did you know that many mountaineers pick up litter on their ascent and descent from mountains? A great way to save mountains from trash.
Car tyres have burnt out? Don’t throw them away. Use them to grow plants at home / workplace / in your community park.
Feeling overwhelmed with the sustainable lifestyle and not sure where to start? Try starting with the 30 day sustainability challenge. Try just 1 sustainable action for 30 days only.
Don’t do express shipping.
Collect all used plastic bottles at home and give them away on a monthly basis to NGOs who are dedicated to recycling plastic.
Wash your workout clothes (and anything with spandex) inside a bag that prevents micro-plastic waste.
Open a window to cool your room and circulate air instead of resorting to the AC.
Keep a bucket in the shower to collect excess water.
Collect rainwater to use for your plants and save on water.
Use recycled water from the RO to clean your house.
Keep your freezer stocked. A full fridge means less space to keep cold which means less energy used.
Use blackout curtains made of thermal insulation properties that help lower AC/heat usage (and lower electricity bills as a result).
Change your phone to grayscale to reduce screen time.
Make it easy to cut off power from multiple devices by using a power strip (or have them voice controlled via a smart home device).
Make sure your devices are in low-power mode.
If there’s a digital version, use it over printing something out.
Give gifts naked (that is, gifts without bags or wrapping).
When ordering online, buy from retailers who commit to using less packaging.
Don’t buy paper products for your next dinner party.
Opt out of credit card promotions.
Ask for no utensils/menu when you order takeout (and use that reusable cutlery).
Create a vase, candelabra, or even a plant watering system from old wine bottles.
Use your leftover coffee grounds for cleaning, beauty products, and more.
Save your clementine peel and make a candle out of it.
If you must wrap a gift, use recycled paper or a bag/tissue paper you saved.
Collect old home items and clothes to donate to any charity in your area.
Transform old sheets/towels into napkins, tablecloths, bags, etc.
Take your old shoes to a cobbler when it’s time instead of discarding them or buying new ones.
Have a book swap party with friends, buy used books, or download eBooks.
Addicted to using Q-tips? Trade in disposable cotton swabs for sustainable alternatives.
Trade TV show watch time for a walk or run outside.
Try bamboo makeup pads instead of single-use ones.
Don’t buy disposable razors and purchase a stainless steel one.
Wash your clothes with cold water instead of warm water. It will not only extend the life of your clothes, but also help save on your electricity bill.
Make a quilt out of old discarded sweaters.
Trade your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo one.
Reuse tea bags to neutralize odors and as plant food.
Use bar soap instead of liquid soap (less packaging).
Purchase plastic-alternative storage pouches so you don’t use disposable bags.
Invest in or make your own reusable food wrappers to avoid plastic wrap and aluminum foil.
Use stainless steel drinking bottles.
Have a sniffle? Carry around your own handkerchief instead of using disposable tissues.
Stop accepting disposable cutlery and napkins.
Regularly prepare home-cooked meals and save on takeaway storage containers.
Create a video, a slideshow or a blog post of how you implemented these ideas and publish them publicly.
Read your favorite newspaper publications online instead of reading the paper versions.
Borrow books from the library instead of purchasing them directly.
Plant a tree with someone.
Become a member of your local food co-op.
Eat more whole foods. Better yet, go vegan!
Spend more time outside. Soak in the sunshine.
Need to buy new appliances? Try buying secondhand products first. If that’s not possible, then go for energy-efficient technology.
Get your devices repaired instead of buying new ones.
Switch to cloud computing and move away from physical hard drives and servers. It will help save on e-waste.
Use e-waste recycling programs when disposing of your electronics.
Donate your old devices to schools and other institutions.
Recycle your devices when ready to dispose of.
Use rechargeable batteries where possible.
Use solar energy charges for your smartphones and tablets.
Why not make a home-cooked meal or bake a cake as a gift?
Make jewelry, hats, scarfs, from existing materials.
Ask your family and friends to donate to a charity or cause instead of asking for a gift.
Make a hand-written note from recycled material to go with your gift.
Create and send a thoughtful video as a gift instead of material products.
Gift people experiences instead of things. #SDG12 #ResponsibleConsumptionAndProduction
Save gift bags and boxes for future use. Reuse and repurpose the gift bags / boxes.
Buy bigger bottles less often, as opposed to smaller bottles more often. It also works out to be cheaper.
Use multipurpose bathroom products. For example: why not use a 2-in-1 shampoo and conditioner instead of having separate bottles for both; or maybe a 2-in-1 body wash and face wash instead of separate bottles.
Read the labels of all your purchases for identifying any toxic and harmful chemicals.
Consider using shampoo bars to reduce plastic packaging.
Don’t leave the water running when cleaning your face or hands or brushing your teeth.
Use reusable cotton pads for removing your makeup. Single use items generally end up in the landfills and harm the environment.
Make your own face cleanser and scrub.
Limit the amount of water you use to brush your teeth.
Invest in a pressure cooker to reduce your cooking time and energy by up to 70%.
Reduce your food waste by buying, cooking and eating only what you need.
Try making homemade cleaners instead of buying manufactured chemical detergents that are harmful to our water bodies.
Do not bully anyone - whether in person or in the cyber-world. Educate others on identifying what is bullying and empower others to speak up against bullying.
Start composting. It supports biodiversity, enriches the soil, and reduces the need for chemical fertilizers. It will also help put unconsumed food items to good use rather than throwing them to the bin.
Reuse old plastic bags for the bin, ditch the new bin liner, or use an old newspaper instead. It helps reduce our plastic consumption.
Make your own coffee at home instead of buying takeaway. It can help save not just the takeaway cups and straws, but also help save your money.
Use cloth instead of paper towels in the kitchen.
Limit the use of hot water when hand washing dishes.
Use washable metal straws instead of disposable plastic straws.
Re-purpose glass jars.
Juice the off-cuts of your vegetables and fruits.
Use stainless steel drinking bottles instead of the plastic ones.
Using plastic diapers / sanitary pads? Try switching to cloth diapers and menstrual cups or other reusable period products / baby products instead.
Unplug workstation from ports overnight to reduce phantom power.
If printing paper is absolutely necessary, try using double-sided printing where possible.
Add small pot plants to your workspace and home.
As difficult as it may sound but try getting rid of your home printer. This will encourage you to seek a printer when you absolutely need it.
Don’t forget to turn off your computer before leaving work.
At your workplace, collect all scrap paper in a tray and send it for recycling.
Why not get into the habit of using your phone, tablet or computer for note taking instead of diary / register?
Send electronic wedding invitations. Save paper.
Go paperless! Opt to receive digital letters and notices.
Transform old clothes into new garments. For example, a dress you don’t wear can be turned into a top or a skirt or shorts.
Found a tear in your clothes? Don’t discard it yet! Acquire basic sewing skills to patch holes and sew buttons back on. Or if you have a bigger job, take it to an alterations shop.
Repurpose old clothes as rags or donate to a local tailor if no longer wearable.
Expand your awareness on identifying sustainable materials when shopping.
Support brands that are ethical and environmentally conscious.
Going grocery shopping? Don’t forget to take your own cloth shopping bag. Ditch the plastic bag.
Opt for carpooling whenever possible. Great way to bond with people too!
This one’s for the bold ones - Ditch your car and embrace car-free living.
Need to scrape off some pet poo or other waste? Try using an old newspaper. Recycling in its easiest form!
Try purchasing and using recycled toilet paper with plastic-free packaging.
Use organic fertilizers. Identify and say no to harmful chemicals.
Hand wash your clothes instead of using the machine, particularly if you only have a few items to clean. If you wash your clothes using a machine, make sure the load is full.
Try hanging out your wet clothes on a drying line or rack instead of using a powered dryer.
Beat the winter chills by putting on an extra layer of clothing instead of turning on the heater. The coziness is an added benefit!
Use public transport. It’s also an excellent opportunity to catch up on reading and other things that you couldn’t do if you were driving.
Get some leg workout in. Take the stairs over the elevator. Build your health, save the Earth - all benefits rolled into one small action!
Get a bicycle, a second hand one if possible, and develop the habit of cycling around for your everyday commute.
Turn off your lights, fans, any other electric points when you leave a room.
Grow your own herbs, fruit and vegetables even if it’s just a few pots around the house, it all helps!
Use a bucket to bathe instead of shower. Can’t give up on your showers? Then start timing your showers. Or better yet, invest in a shower timer.
Try switching to LED lighting or CFL bulbs instead of incandescent lighting. CFLs use about 70% less energy than incandescent bulbs. They are also proven to last longer, which reduces the need to keep purchasing light bulbs, which saves not just money, but reduces waste as well.
If you open up your blinds / curtains and use the natural sunlight as much as possible, you will not just save up on your electricity bill, but also get more sunshine for your health and help save the Earth as well!
When you use a refillable water bottle and coffee cup, you help cut down on waste. Let’s refrain from drinking from that single use plastic cup.
When you shop local, you end up supporting neighborhood businesses in keeping their staff employed. Be sure to shop local. It also helps protect the environment by saving on the fuel that would have been otherwise consumed when things are ordered from far away distances.
Air dry your hair instead of using a blow-dryer.
We can contribute towards achieving the SDGs even when we are just sitting on our couch. Use your social media account to speak up about important facts and figures related to SDGs.
Use a bucket to water your plants instead of directly using a water tube to avoid water wastage.