We live in a time when consumers are making good choices like avoiding plastic use, going vegan and making sure to save our environment. However, we all need to take a step and begin somewhere.  Connect with Nature, a programme that encourages youth to protect the environment has embarked on an initiative to conscious consumption.

It doesn’t cost you any extra or requires any additional time to live a sustainable life. Here are 10 tips from environmental enthusiasts to kickstart a healthier and sustainable lifestyle:

Reduce the use of single-use plastic

As you may know, one of the main problems faced in the current generation is the use of plastic. In a realistic world, there’s no way we can completely banish out plastic overnight however, as mentioned earlier starting small can really make a big difference.

Cut down on meat consumption

It might come as a surprise to some, but agriculture is known to be one of the biggest contributors to climate change. Consuming lesser meats can be another vital step to living a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle.

Reduce food waste

Every time you decide to order additional food in thoughts of it being insufficient, keep in mind that food waste eventually ends up at landfill sites making it decompose or rot and emit methane gas. Composting is one way to reduce the food waste at home, and take better care of plants, additionally, it also helps in getting rid of plastic bags in the kitchen.

Support fair trade products

Fairtrade has been shown to increase standards of living and reduce risk and vulnerability for farmers and workers and help minimise our environmental footprint.

Think before you purchase

Consider what you really need instead of want. When buying products, it’s always important to make sure you consider how long the item would last, would you be able to recycle, and reuse the product once you’ve decided to buy it. By consuming less, you dispose less amount of waste. Individuals should go for quality versus quantity products since long-lasting products contribute to lesser disposal on landfills.

Use public transportation

Ditch your cars and consider making use of public transportation, whether it means catching a train, boarding a bus or even walking to your destination whenever possible. By using gas-powered cars, you tend to increase greenhouse gas emissions which are damaging our planet.

Make a present even more memorable

Gifting memorable experiences rather than physical products is better than items. It’s always exciting to receive a spa voucher or even a ticket to a theme park as memories do last forever.

Adopt don’t shop

Say no to shopping for a pet and instead adopt, this does not only make you an eco-friendly pet owner but also helps massively in protecting stray animals that need your support and helps save animals being used for breeding purposes.

Reduce electricity consumption

Make a difference in their daily lives by switching off all devices and unplugging wires which aren’t being used. Reduce your electric bill by turning off lights when not required and using power strips to reduce plug loads.

Practice the 5 R’s

The more you practice the 5 R’s of waste management: reducing, reusing, recycling, repurposing and refusing, the closer you are to living a sustainable lifestyle.