Living sustainably is crucial to preserve our only planet and make it a better place, but it can be difficult to know the best way to make a difference. While there is a lot a person can do to make a positive impact, here are five practical ways to reduce your environmental footprint:
- Work Remotely
- Use Public and Non-Motorized Transport
- Implement Sustainable Waste Management Practices
- Purchase Sustainably
- Invest Sustainably
Implementing these changes into your life can make a big difference in helping provide a healthier and sustainable future for generations to come. Read on to learn more about how to integrate these practices into your lifestyle!
1. Work Remotely
Working remotely has become a standard in our post-Covid digital world. Many workers and employers alike have realized they can function just as efficiently without going into the office every day.
Although there are some people who miss the camaraderie of the office and getting out of the house, remote work also comes with many perks. The lack of commute means that employees have more time to focus on work and personal pursuits, leading to higher job satisfaction and lower turnover rates. Many employees have seen an improved work-life balance, which is more sustainable on a social and personal level.
One of the primary environmentally sustainable benefits of working remotely is the significant reduction in carbon footprint by eliminating the need to commute. According to the EPA, transportation accounts for over 25% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States, the largest economic sector contributor. By working from home, we can significantly reduce our carbon footprint and preserve natural resources.
2. Use Public and Non-Motorized Transport
It’s amazing how many single drivers you see on a regular commute, all driving the same way at the same times, five days a week. One of the easiest ways to reduce our carbon footprint and be more sustainable is to use public and non-motorized transportation. Instead of driving alone, we can try walking, biking, scootering, rollerblading, taking public transit, or carpooling to get to our destinations.
By reducing the number of cars on the road, we can significantly decrease carbon emissions, which are a major contributor to climate change. According to the EPA, a typical passenger vehicle emits about 4.6 metric tons of carbon dioxide per year. Using public and non-motorized transportation not only benefits the environment, but it can also help you save money, reduce traffic congestion, and improve overall health and well-being.
3. Implement Sustainable Waste Management Practices
Sustainable waste management practices have a broad scope and encompass a lot of different actions, but they can lead to a lot of practical change. One of the simplest ways to implement sustainable waste management practices is to reduce the amount of waste we produce. This can be done by buying durable and good-quality materials and items and using them until they can’t be used anymore.
Recycling materials like glass, wood, metal, or cardboard is another practical way to reduce the amount of waste sent to landfills. This reduces the need for raw materials, such as paper, and can save energy that would be expended in the manufacturing process. Composting biodegradable material, like food scraps and yard waste, is another important and effective way to reduce landfill waste. Food and organic waste take significantly longer to decompose in a landfill, release more methane gas, and no longer have the same ecosystem benefits they can have when decomposing in the soil.
4. Purchase Sustainably
One of the most effective ways to be sustainable is to purchase sustainably. When you make a purchase, you are showing support through your spending. Make sure that the products you buy are sourced sustainably and have a low environmental impact in both their production and disposability.
First, always check and see whether the product you’re looking for is available used. By checking websites such as eBay, Facebook Marketplace, and Craigslist first, you are taking a big step out of a consumer mindset and reducing demand for products that are already ending up in landfills.
If you have to buy new, ensure the products are from companies that prioritize sustainability in their production processes. Additionally, buying local, in bulk, or without packaging can help reduce waste (if you live in a city, check to see if you have a local zero waste store!). By avoiding single-use items such as disposable coffee cups or plastic cutlery, you can further reduce your environmental impact.
5. Invest Sustainably
Investing sustainably is becoming increasingly popular among individuals who want to make a difference through their dollar. Impact investing involves investing in companies or organizations that aim to create a positive social or environmental impact and that align with an individual’s values. Some people choose to invest in green bonds (debt securities with a fixed rate of return specifically aimed at funding environmentally-friendly projects) or social impact bonds that support social initiatives such as education or healthcare programs.
Many people go with ESG mutual funds as they seem the most accessible. However, the criteria for ESG funds is still loose and largely up to independent firms to define in their own way, which may mean that they don’t align with your own values. Companies like EGÉA SRI have free consultation services to help navigate the world of sustainable investing. You don’t have to give up financial returns in order to make a difference, either. According to MSCI’s recent Q1 2023 reports, 8 of their 10 ESG funds outperformed the benchmark MSCI ACWI by between .1% and 3.4% – and the 2 funds that did not outperform the benchmark only missed the mark by .1%.
For many individuals, the majority of their money and savings is invested. What better way to make a positive difference than to make sure that money is invested in things you truly care about?
