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.
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.