Sustainable living is not an unattainable goal at all. On the contrary: it is a positive change that is within everyone's reach, and that will benefit not only the Earth, but also our health and even our wallets in the long run!
Fortunately, there are more and more opportunities to start on the path to an environmentally friendly lifestyle change. In this article, we will explore the different areas and show you how to get started.
Areas of environmentally friendly lifestyle change
Thanks to the developments and research of recent years, we can make many areas of our lives environmentally sustainable. Moreover, each of them has different levels and aspects, so we have plenty of opportunities to shape these steps for ourselves! Let's see where and how we can experiment:
Waste management
Proper management of the ever-increasing amount of waste is key to environmental protection. Within this framework , we can pay attention to reducing the amount of garbage, as well as recycling and using environmentally friendly methods!
The first and most important step in this category is selective waste collection . In Hungary, for now, we can select plastic, metal, paper and glass waste at the household level, but we can also experiment with composting in different ways. If we do not have the opportunity to collect organic waste at home, within the four walls, we can join community composts in more and more places. And with this application, we can share or even accept green waste. We can use the compost indoors for our houseplants, but if we have a garden, it will also thank us.
After that, you can minimize single-use products and purchase reusable versions of such devices. Two simple steps to start with are to purchase a water bottle and a coffee thermos instead of disposable solutions.
There are countless other options that can be purchased in packaging-free stores, webshops, and from reliable sources.
It is also important to inform ourselves and learn about innovative materials such as PLA, compostable plastic, a packaging material made from corn. When sorting these, it is important to throw PLA products into the communal trash, as this material only decomposes during industrial composting, which is currently not possible in Hungary.
Conscious purchasing decisions, such as choosing packaging-free products , are also essential in minimizing unnecessary waste. Visit your nearest packaging-free store and get your household products naked!
Recycling individual objects and tools is a further step forward, allowing the reuse of useful materials, thereby reducing the depletion of natural resources.
Meal
We may not even realize how much our eating habits impact the environment. However, conscious eating is also part of an environmentally friendly lifestyle.
The first step here could be to buy local and seasonal foods , as they travel less distance from the producer to our table, thus reducing the environmental footprint of transportation. Moreover, nothing can compete with the high vitamin content of seasonal vegetables and fruits! It is best to buy them at local markets.
We always find seasonal, fresh vegetables and fruits at the market.
A vegetarian or vegan diet can also be effective, as reducing the consumption of meat and dairy products contributes significantly to reducing the environmental impacts of agricultural production.
When shopping consciously , it is also worth paying attention to minimizing food packaging . Here again, the packaging-free store comes into play, where we can shop without waste. But the market is also a good solution, since we can take our own reusable bags there. When we go to a supermarket, we should prioritize paper, glass, and metal packaging.
If plastic ends up in our basket, choose recyclable forms : these are the packaging marked with numbers 1, 2, 4, 5. You can read more about this here.
It is also important to manage food waste in an environmentally friendly way ; composting allows some of the food waste to be reused as nutrients. Supporting local restaurants and markets is another way to make our meals more sustainable and indirectly contribute to the development of local economies.
Transportation
Our transportation habits contribute greatly to our environmental impact, and making conscious choices can help reduce our carbon footprint. The first step is to use public transportation , such as buses, trains, or subways.
But cycling and walking are also great alternatives, which are not only environmentally friendly, but also have a beneficial effect on our health. In addition, more and more community car rental companies are appearing on the market, it is worth getting to know them and taking advantage of their opportunities.
When it comes to travel and vacations, include local destinations or destinations that are accessible by train, for example. Minimizing unnecessary flights also contributes to healthy air and a sustainable future.
Dressing
Our clothing habits also significantly affect the environment, and conscious steps towards sustainable fashion can contribute to creating an environmentally friendly lifestyle.
Let's start by focusing on quality instead of quantity . With timeless pieces, we can reduce the waste produced by fast fashion. It's also worth understanding the motivation behind our clothing purchases and purchasing items consciously and thoughtfully instead of buying on impulse.
Switching to second-hand clothing and repairing it is another sustainable option. Vintage or second-hand clothing not only adds a unique style but also reduces the environmental impact of the textile industry.
Supporting ethical and sustainable domestic fashion brands is also of paramount importance. Preference for brands that pay attention to labor conditions, exclude exploitation and use sustainable production practices contributes to the growth of fair trade fashion.
In addition to conscious shopping, it is also worth focusing on minimizing textile waste . Taking good care of your clothes, donating or reusing unused clothes can all help reduce the amount of textile waste in general.
Our electronic devices
In order to reduce our environmental footprint, it is worth looking around our environment in terms of both electronic devices and energy consumption.
When choosing electronic devices, it is important to consider products that are long-lasting and easy to repair . Quality devices are not only more durable, but also produce less waste compared to models that quickly become obsolete and are difficult to repair. But when buying a new device, it is worth considering purchasing used products and devices that are still in good working order. Let's browse through such options on this website!
Purchasing energy-efficient devices is also key. Energy Star-certified devices tend to use energy more efficiently, reducing household energy consumption. Putting devices in sleep mode or off mode also helps reduce consumption.
The management of electronic waste is also an important aspect. The management of e-waste requires special attention, as the substances contained in it can be potentially harmful to the environment.
Household
We can steer our household activities and cleaning habits in a sustainable direction, starting with using environmentally friendly cleaning products . Fortunately, there are more and more such reliable brands on supermarket shelves. What we should pay attention to when choosing is to look for natural ingredients. In the case of products with a high chemical content, chemical allergies can often develop, which can attack not only the skin but even the lungs. You can read more about this in this article.
But feel free to try making your own homemade cleaning products ! Use vinegar, baking soda, essential oils. Experiment with different recipes and find the most ideal version for you, whether it's a descaling agent, disinfectant, or general surface cleaner.
Watch Trendrakó's video in which he makes a vinegar-citrus scale remover!
Water use
An environmentally conscious approach to water use is essential in our lives. There are many ways to reduce our water consumption and contribute to the purity of our waters. The use of natural cleaning agents mentioned in our previous paragraph is important for this reason, among other things. Moreover, our goal is to contribute to this. That is why CYCLE products are recycled cleaning agents made from sustainable sources, including recycled water .
But there are other solutions to avoid unnecessary water use! Install faucet shut-off valves to prevent water leaks, and filters to help improve water quality so you don't have to buy bottled water.
This is followed by energy-efficient washing machines and dishwashers , which not only save energy but also use less water overall than the average variety.
As for the bathroom, reduce the number of baths and take a shower instead . To use as little water as possible, a good solution might be to listen to your favorite 3-4 minute song to measure the time! Don't run the water unnecessarily while brushing your teeth .
Last but not least, we can also save water when it comes to houseplants and our garden. Let's collect rainwater for watering them , our plants will be happier with it.
Leisure, programs
You may not have thought of it, but our leisure activities can also be environmentally friendly, and this kind of conscious approach can help us pay attention to environmental protection in addition to having fun.
Eco-friendly leisure activities include hiking, cycling, bird watching and other nature-based activities . Not only do we boost our immune systems, but we also get closer to nature. Let's prepare for these trips with reusable, non-disposable items and be careful not to litter!
Supporting local community events and programs is also an opportunity for sustainability. Parks, arts events, and community initiatives often have a smaller environmental footprint while supporting the local economy.
Some cultural institutions, museums and art venues are also taking sustainability into account. Green practices, energy efficiency measures and procurement can all contribute to a more sustainable future.
General economic aspects
Since we vote with our money, it is also worth considering other general economic aspects when making our purchases.
By supporting ethical and sustainable companies , we can help to build market demand for these values. Companies that are committed to environmental protection, ethical labor practices, and social responsibility contribute to the development of a sustainable economy.
Let's support domestic, handmade products!
It is important to remember that eco-friendly lifestyle changes are not only about reducing consumption, but also about conscious shopping. We should choose durable products that will serve us in the long term, and not ignore the lifespan of products. Cheap, quickly worn-out items often contribute to excessive waste and waste of resources.
By making conscious financial decisions and supporting sustainable companies, economic considerations also matter in the transition to an environmentally friendly lifestyle. By spending our money, we can support values that are in line with environmental and social responsibility.
As you can see, there are many areas where we can start taking environmentally friendly steps. But now let's look at some ideas that will help us get started and stick with them !
Challenges and tips
Changing to an eco-friendly lifestyle is a gradual and conscious process that is worth starting with small steps. The first step could be to choose one or more of the areas listed here where you feel you can easily get involved.
This could be selective waste collection, using more energy-efficient household appliances, or even buying sustainable clothes. The goal is to start with something that is easy for you to implement and doesn't suddenly cause too much of a change in your life.
It is important to realize that any new habit takes time to develop and requires perseverance . It takes about 30-40 days for new habits to become routine! So don't worry if you have difficulty at first or if not every day seems successful. Forget the word perfect and be very patient with yourself! Processes are cyclical and it is important to accept that there are good days and less good days.
Community support can also help when introducing sustainable lifestyle habits. For example, setting goals with friends or family members can greatly increase the chances of success. Doing activities together not only provides motivation, but also strengthens the sense of community. Involving people living in the same household can also be helpful. Shared responsibility and joint decision-making can strengthen commitment to sustainable living.
It’s also important to note that we can all go through periods when our motivation is low and change is difficult. To get through these lows, it’s important to look back on the progress we’ve made and remember why we started moving towards a greener lifestyle. With small steps, perseverance, and a supportive community, we can get through these difficult times more easily.
CYCLE is one of the solutions for an environmentally friendly lifestyle change
There are many effective tools and brands on the market that can be easily integrated into our everyday lives to achieve an eco-friendly household. CYCLE's goal is to offer effective cleaning products and educate our customers on sustainable living.
Our products are made entirely from natural ingredients, minimizing the environmental impact of toxins. But CYCLE is not limited to just a clean home. We have an innovative development behind us, thanks to which our products are made by reusing organic materials and using recycled water.
Moreover , their bottles are also made from recycled and recyclable plastic.
Our new generation of eco-friendly cleaning products are just waiting to make your sustainable everyday life easier.
Click here to browse our products on our website !
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A guide to sustainable everyday life
When making eco-friendly lifestyle changes, it's important to remember that there is no single right way. However, a few simple steps can make a huge difference to our environment and our well-being. Remember to strive for the golden mean .
Let's not burden ourselves with unnecessary expectations and not try to change everything at once. Let 's start with small steps and let this process become a comfortable and enjoyable organic part of our everyday lives.
Let this change be a joyful way of life instead of an obligation!
