Living in a big city might seem daunting due to its highly sophisticated and hectic surroundings. A big city means more people, crime, traffic, and, most significantly, waste and pollution. However, researchers find that by 2050, 70% of the world’s population will reside in metropolitan areas, which might strain our planet. That’s why living responsibly, and eco-friendly is crucial, even in the city’s center. For starters, being aware of your waste may make you a better environmental citizen, whether by avoiding plastic or composting food. If you want to live an eco-friendly lifestyle in a big city, follow these directions:
Don’t Drive
In a big city, traffic is always an issue. However, that’s not the only reason to avoid driving; pollution is. You can significantly lower your carbon footprint if you avoid driving your car around the city.
Use public transportation, a bike, or walk if you can! Of course, this is influenced by your city’s infrastructure, but most big cities have at least some walking zones and excellent public transport. By walking 10,000 steps daily, you’ll be reducing the number of emissions released into the environment and lowering your risk of getting sick. As a bonus, you’ll be getting a better night’s sleep. You’ll have more energy and experience many other positive effects on your health.
Shop Local
Visit your local farmer’s market to support local produce vendors. That is not only a great tip for how to live an eco-friendly lifestyle in a big city, but it’s also amazing for your health. Furthermore, it’s a fantastic way to kick off your weekend.
Local farmers will be grateful that you choose them over GMO food giants because of their ethically crafted packaging and fresh, seasonal produce.
Avoid Unnecessary Purchases
Avoiding overconsumption is a great way to limit your waste. That can be mainly applied when you’re shopping for new clothes. No, you don’t need ten new sweaters you will only wear once, or thirteen new pairs of jeans for the winter. Instead of buying multiple fast-fashion pieces, invest in high-quality items that will last you for future seasons. Even if a fast-fashion brand presents a sustainable clothing line, don’t buy into their greenwashing.
Finally, make sure you reuse and upcycle what you can. An old T-shirt can be used as a dust cloth before you throw it away.
Look for Eco-Friendly Options
Here’s the thing: bamboo toothbrushes and other bamboo bathroom products are much better for the environment than plastic ones. When possible, switch out your plastic for bamboo. However, this doesn’t mean throwing away a perfect plastic toothbrush for sustainability.
While looking for eco-friendly products, you should primarily work with what you’ve got. Throwing away new plastic for the sake of exchanging it for bamboo is not a sustainable thing to do. That doesn’t go just for bathroom products, either.
Eco-Friendly Storage
You can always find ways to go green when dealing with your storage space. For example, you should use cardboard boxes instead of plastic and glass jars to store small things. Of course, just like with all other home items, it’s better to use what you’ve already got than to purchase new things just because they’re more eco-friendly.
Conserve Energy at Home
As more individuals stay indoors, they choose virtual meetings and binge-watch TV series. These extra activities increase energy use and hurt the environment. It’s beneficial to use energy-efficient LED light bulbs and switch to natural light whenever feasible to save power. Don’t forget to open your curtains during the day to allow the city sunlight; it will improve your attitude and productivity.
Finally, as winter approaches, you should find ways to reduce heat loss in your home. Putting extra isolation and securing your windows and doors are only some ways you can do this. It will save you money and help you live a more eco-friendly lifestyle in the big city.
Avoid Plastic
It’s easier to say it than to do it. Finding alternatives to plastic might seem challenging, but it’s been getting increasingly more effortless in the past few years. When feasible, buy milk in cartons, juice in glass bottles, and prepared goods in glass jars.
Embrace the experience of buying fruits and veggies in bulk containers, reusable tote bags, and baskets. It not only brings eco-happiness to your city life and protects your food from impurities like microplastics and poisons.
Join a Neighborhood Green Group
Communicating your beliefs with those who share them is crucial since doing so may significantly impact your neighborhood. Find a green group you can join, whether you live in a tiny town or a large metropolis. Participate in or start an eco-friendly event in your community. Speak up in favor of eco-friendly living and improving the quality of life on our planet. Support regional companies who decide to run their operations sustainably as well. You may cooperate with them to plan various events and have a fantastic time doing it. You could join any number of green enterprises and groups. That’s what makes a huge city so unique!
In Conclusion
It’s not hard to live an eco-friendly life in a big city. Remember the three R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle when in doubt. Repeat it to yourself like a mantra, and start living by it. Of course, it requires sacrifice and extra effort, but it’s worth it in the end. Just walking to work, buying a few clothing items less, and using a tote bag instead of a plastic one can impact your immediate environment more than you might think. Finally, learn to take care of the nature around you. Never litter or do anything to hurt your surroundings because you’ll just be hurting yourself in the long run.
Meta: To live an eco-friendly lifestyle in a big city can be a big challenge, but it’s not impossible. Follow our tips to make it your reality!
