Easy Habits for a More Sustainable Life

Dozens of articles have been published on how "millennials and Gen Zers are driving the future of sustainability" - and businesses are starting to pay attention. Everyone from Primark to McDonald's is spending money to make sure their values align with ours.

But sustainability doesn't have to be based on the brands you follow.

If you're new to a conscious lifestyle, welcome. Here are some easy, 100% cost-free habits for you to get started on in your pathway to a life that's healthier for you and our planet.

1. Keep your backpack or purse stocked. As young people, we're always on the go, and backpacks become another limb. An easy way to reduce your impact while you're out of the house is to keep the essentials with you in your bag. Building the habit: Every time you go to through your backpack down after coming home, make a point to dump it out and notice what you've got. If you need to clean one of your sustainable essentials, replace it with a fresh set so you don't need to think about it the next time you leave your house.
   

2. Stop before you buy. A frugal minimalist mentality is super-sustainable on multiple planes. An item you didn't purchase is an item you didn't spend money on. Likewise, the less money you give a company the less money they'll have to keep making more waste. Building a new purchasing habit can save money and the planet. Building the habit: My suggestion is to add to a "to buy" list in your phone or notebook. Designate a specific time to shop online or in person, and add it to your calendar with a repeating notification. If you're not within your shopping hour, don't buy it - just add it to your list. This will limit impulse purchases and encourage mindfulness in your purchases.
   

3. Shut off your phone! Or at least set it to airplane mode. Sometimes we don't think about the electricity we use to power our phones, laptops, and other electronics. In truth, your LED screen and the WIFI or data powering your phone use electricity. Chances are your electric grid isn't 100% renewable (unless you live in Germany or Costa Rica), but even if it is the physical infrastructure of internet lines and the electrical grid network cuts through wildlife habitats. The less you use, the less new infrastructure will be built. Building the habit: Every time you make your toast, put the toaster away in a cabinet. Every time you close out work for the day, shut down your computer and place it in a drawer. Turning off your phone can be a great way to be more mindful at work, out with friends, or in bed when you should be sleeping. Most of my mindless phone use happens because I unlocked it out of habit - shutting it down breaks that habit by making it more difficult to start mindlessly swiping.
   

4. Dispose of your waste mindfully. I'm willing to bet most people don't often think about where their garbage or recycling ends up. The truth is, a lot of what you throw out ends up incinerated, polluting our air and water. Even if you can't compost right now, most municipalities offer recycling pickup. Take 5 minutes to look into your local Dos and Don'ts, and then make it a habit to pause before tossing - or else you could end up contaminating your entire pile. Building the habit: First, take the time to check out your area's recycling guidelines. Then print out or write up a guide that you can tape to your bin. The new sign will catch your eye each time you go to throw out your garbage, giving enough pause to remind you to think before you throw.
   

5. Bike to work. This one is pure magic for mind, body, and planet. It'll save you money on transportation, has a limited carbon footprint, and adds in hours of cardio without a Peloton membership. Building the habit: Keep your bike (or helmet) by your front door, on the walk to your car or bus stop. Make it a non-negotiable the night before: check the weather conditions and your after-work plans, and determine whether you'll be commuting by bike the next day. If the answer is yes, hold yourself to it.