How You Can Lead a Sustainable and Socially Responsible Lifestyle

Along with all the wonderful progress and innovation that the past centuries have given society, has come an increase in waste—of resources, of time, and of material possessions.

There are ways to combat this tendency to “waste”! Leading a sustainable and socially responsible lifestyle using the following tips will reward you with an increase of confidence that your actions are helping your society, not harming it.

Change How You Shop

Regardless of the product in question, shopping in itself can be a detrimental action for the environment! Emissions from travel to and from and between stores or from production of merchandise, the materials used within those products, and the excess of possessions that people own today all contribute to harmful impact on the atmosphere.

Consider online shopping to decrease your likelihood of impulse buys and the amount of carbon emissions you put into the air. Make an effort to research and support businesses that use sustainable materials, fabrics, and production methods for their products.

Finally, do your best to declutter your life! Determine what you truly need and truly use. Simplify your property by keeping only what is of the most sentimental and/or functional value.

Support Black-Owned Business

Look into small businesses that could use some support! Black-owned businesses often reside in low traffic areas. Research small, locally owned and run businesses that can provide you the same goods or services that large corporations do.

Even if the expense is slightly higher, the investment you make in these minority communities (or minority individuals) will strengthen and develop them for long term benefit to the entirety of society.

Invest in an ESG Portfolio

Along with your normal product spending, you can invest in companies with a positive environmental, social, and governance (ESG) impact.

How do the housing corporations, transit means, or any large-scale businesses that you utilize, deal with each of these issues?

Do they reduce their emissions as much as possible? Do they use clean, green energy? Do they contribute positively to all aspects of community development, endorse human rights and diversity? Do they demonstrate fairness and justice in their leadership?

Invest your funds into companies that are helping these aspects of society, and not impeding them! Your “portfolio” of investments will prove your dedication to progress and healthy living for all.

Drive an Electric Car

Reduce your addition to harsh chemical output by using sustainable transit, either by taking public transportation or by making your own vehicle environmentally friendly.

Electric cars are powered purely by a renewable resource that emits no greenhouse gasses, and cost less in the long run to “power”. The range of your charge can be extended by taking certain precautions to help it last!

You can make your battery go further by tinting your car windows to keep the inside cool. This lessens the use of your AC and therefore prolongs battery life.

You might also try to lighten your load however possible and maintain your vehicle in whatever ways necessary. These little measures will make a big difference in the battery life of your vehicle!

Grow Your Own Produce

Gardening is both therapeutic and physically rewarding. Creating a garden box or small plot to grow fresh vegetables, fruits, and herbs, connects you to nature, helps foster patience and dedication, and provides a feeling of pride along with your delicious produce.

No need to worry about food safety when you know exactly what has gone into your food’s growth; plus, you can save money on what would otherwise be expensive organic vegetables and fruits.

Create a sustainable cycle of food growing and nourishing by composting dead plant material to create a nutrient rich soil for new “crops”. This is a no-waste method of sustenance for you and your community, and it comes with the pleasant side effect of a healthy, happy mindset!

“Reduce, Reuse, Recycle”

Reduce the amount of plastic garbage or waste by investing in reusable containers made of recycled materials like fabric or glass, in transporting groceries, meals, or anything else!

Take advantage of local opportunities to recycle glass, paper, plastic, and batteries. Try repurposing clothes that you’ve gotten tired of, into new trends or styles that you will wear again and again, and consider learning how to simply repair your clothes, technology, or any other possessions, instead of replacing them with brand new ones.

If complete replacement is necessary, look into buying used products that are still high quality and functional.

Donate Whatever You Can, Whenever You Can

Think about donating any and all products and possessions that you no longer need, to second hand stores, salvation army, food banks, homeless shelters, libraries, or local donation drives. Even if you can find no means to repurpose or reuse these items, others may welcome the opportunity to do so!

Even things you think have no potential for further use can be used for parts or purposes you may not realize. Medical products like prescription glasses, inhalers, wheelchairs and crutches, and any frequently used medical supplies like bandages, gauze, antibacterial substances or medicines, etc, are extremely valuable to people who struggle to afford basic health care.

Take Advantage of Service Opportunities

The best, most blatant way to help your community is to help your community in community building efforts! Service projects are in constant need of support and administration.

Look for local events that you can participate in putting together. Extend your resources to people who need them! Network through local cleanups like raking leaves, covering up graffiti, trash pick up on major roads, and park maintenance.

Volunteer to help and uplift individuals in homeless shelters, adoption agencies, and nursing homes. People want interaction. They need interaction! You can do more than you realize to lift people’s lives and improve your community, your local society, through simple service.

“Waste” is a natural side effect of today’s societal living standards. You can make an effort to be different, and to contribute differently.

Be a positive influence on your environment, yourself, and the people around you through conscious decisions of sustainable, responsible living!