Most people have heard of the phrase `sustainable living' and some have embraced it. Some have even gone to the extent of starting companies that calls and somehow compels people to get voyage of sustainable living. Probably in years to come ever one will be living a sustainable living. So for one to fully support and live a sustainable life, one has to first absolutely understand all the facet of such a life. In simple terms, sustainable living involves cutting down on the use of natural resources and other personal resources with the aim of reducing carbon footprint. Proponents of such a life practice this by altering and coming up with new methods of energy consumption, transport, and diets that balance natural ecology, cycles. It is simply a symbiotic relationship between the human and natural resource.   

One may be wondering why the call to embrace it? One of the main reasons is that it is the most effective strategy of reducing some environment and irrevocable problem caused by extravagant human lifestyle especial in such a time when the middle-class community demography is on the rise.  Some of the environmental problems that are caused by extravagant lifestyles include global warming, depletion of ozone layer and climate change which can have devastating effects on human beings and animals. It's time you adopt a sustainable lifestyle so that you can reduce your carbon footprint.

Here are five simple ways to help you adapt a sustainable way of life:

1. Replace incandescent light bulbs with energy saving bulbs

Incandescent light bulbs consume a lot of energy in most homes; the first step towards achieving a sustainable lifestyle is to replace incandescent light bulbs with energy saving bulbs such as skylights and Compact Fluorescent bulbs (CFLs). Not only does using energy saving bulbs significantly reduce your energy consumption, but it also reduces the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills.

2. Adopt a water conservation strategy

Unfortunately, most people have a habit of misusing water instead of using it conservatively. One of the best ways of living a sustainable lifestyle is recycling water when you are done cleaning household items such as utensils, carpets, etc. Provided the water doesn't contain toxic chemicals, you can use it to water the plants in your garden or even wash your car instead of draining it in the sewage.

3. Recycle polythene bags and plastics

Plastics and polythene bags constitute the highest percentage of materials that end up in landfills. These plastics are also likely to end up polluting water sources thus endangering marine life and human health if the plastics had toxic chemicals. The key to living a sustainable lifestyle is to ensure that you recycle plastic containers that are used to pack nontoxic products and use reusable bags such as bamboo instead of disposable bags. Consider using your own baskets or reusable bags when grocery shopping.

4. Walk or cycle to local destinations

Although automobiles have made life easier for us, they cause high carbon emissions which lead to adverse climatic conditions. Unfortunately, most people use their vehicles to commute to places that are within walking or cycling distance which is wasteful living. Walking or cycling to local destinations will not only reduce carbon emissions, but it will also ensure that your stay healthy.

5. Start using renewable energy

One of the main reasons why there has been massive climatic change is due to the use of nonrenewable energy in our homes. We all have a role to play in creating an eco-friendly environment by adopting the use of renewables in our homes such as, installing solar panels for water heating and using sawdust or gas instead of firewood.

6. Shop at your local market

One of many ways to live sustainably is to shop at your local market. When you shop at your local market, you’re supporting your community. Shopping locally means no importation needs to happen. Products that are imported consume huge amounts of fossil fuel energy to get from those global locations to your supermarket. Plus buying locally means it's the freshest that it can get, yummm! 

Above are just some of the ways we can help save the earth. There are endless ways to live sustainably. Sustainable living is the most effective strategy to reduce the environmental pollution. So let`s all embrace it and save the earth. 

Do you know that your household waste is one of the main reasons why there's been a tremendous increase in environmental pollution? It's time to change your disposal habits and start recycling the non-bio degradable products you use at home such as food cans, empty soda cans, plastics, paper, etc. Recycling is quite simple, however, in case you have no idea on where to start and how to go about it, here's a guide on how to recycle some of the most common household products:

Plastics and Paper

Plastics are some of the most common items in most homes and offices since they are used to pack a wide variety of products. Most people have a habit of disposing of the plastics in the bin after exhausting the products packed in them which leads to environmental pollution. Plastic containers that contain non-toxic products can be washed thoroughly and used to store household products such as liquid detergent. Used papers on the other hand, such as newspapers can also be recycled to make other paper products such as tissue paper.

Glass

Did you know that glass (even broken ones) can be recycled and used to make other glass items? Depending on the product that was packed in the glass containers, you can also wash them and use them to store your kitchen ingredients. Alternatively, you can also give them out to glass recycling companies instead of throwing them in dump sites.

Metals

Just like plastic containers, metallic cans can also be washed and used to store different household products. However, most metals rust when they come into contact with water. Therefore, the best alternative is to issue the cans to the companies that recycle metallic products.

Advantages of Recycling:

1 Protects the environment and animal habitats

Disposing of waste in landfill sites has an adverse impact on both plants and animals. If the waste ends up in water, it affects aquatic life, and when it's burnt it releases toxic gases which affect both plants and animals, and their habitats as well.

2 Conserves natural resources

Recycling helps in conserving the natural resources used in the manufacture of the products we use. The habit of disposing of every product after use leads to increased demand for raw materials. As the demand for raw materials increases so does the rate of environmental encroachment.

3 Global warming and pollution

Most of the wastes that end up in landfills and dump sites are disposed of through burning. However, when the waste is burnt, it releases CO2 into the air which continues to have adverse effect : the global warming. If every household recycles their waste products, then no waste would be burnt in landfills and dump sites.

Here's a quick guide on what you can and cannot recycle. This guide was sourced from ottawa.ca. It is important to note that there are different recycling rules in every city. Although the items you can and cannot recycle remains the same. When you make recycling a part of your routine you'll become a pro at it in no time :) 

• Empty bottles and jars

Metal

• Metal cans
• Soft drink cans
• Jar lids
• Aluminum containers (clean or food soiled)
• Aluminum foil (clean or food soiled)
• Empty paint cans with lids removed
• Empty aerosol cans (hairspray, paint, whipping cream)
• Spiral-wound canisters with metal ends (frozen concentrate cans, potato chip tube)

Plastic

• Food and household containers numbers 1 to 7
• Take-out containers, bakery and produce containers (clam shells)
• Pails (remove metal handle)
• Planting trays
• Flower pots
• Single serve yogurt containers
• Clear plastic egg cartons
• Plastic bottles, jars and jugs
• Tubs and tub lids (yogurt, ice cream, margarine containers)

Cartons

• Milk and juice cartons
• Drink boxes
• Soup boxes

Empty Alcohol Containers

Empty wine, beer and spirit containers greater than 100 ml purchased in Ontario must be returned, for refund at The Beer Store.

2) NON-RECYCLABLE

Place these items in your regular garbage.

Glass

• Ceramics such as dishes, cups and pottery
• Other glass such as drinking glasses, window glass, light bulbs, and mirrors
• CFL bulbs (compact fluorescent) can be returned to a Take it Back! partner or a Household Hazardous Waste Depot

Metal

• Metal clothes hangers
• Scrap metal
• Chip bags

Plastic

• Styrofoam containers and packaging
• All plastic bags
• Hard plastics such as dishes, cups, toys, make-up jars, laundry baskets
• Motor oil containers

3) BLACK BIN CONTAINER 

• Newspaper and flyers
• Magazines and catalogues
• Corrugated cardboard
• Telephone books
• Cereal and cracker boxes (remove plastic liners)
• Shoe and laundry detergent boxes
• Writing and computer paper, paper pads
• Hard and soft cover books
• Paper egg cartons, toilet paper rolls and paper towel rolls
• Gift wrapping paper and greeting cards
• Clean paper shopping bags or paper packaging
• Frozen dinner boxes
• Clean pizza boxes 

4) GREEN BIN/COMPOSTABLE

• Waxed paper
• Food soiled pizza boxes
• Other soiled paper products
• Tissues and paper towels (soiled or clean)
• Coffee cups (wax lined)

• Use a small, specially-designed kitchen container to collect organic materials including kitchen scraps (vegetable, fruits, meat, fish, bones, dairy products, coffee grounds and filters).

• Cereal and cracker box liners, chip and cookie bags and canisters
• Chocolate bar and candy wrappings
• Wooden clementine and orange crates
• Foil wrapping paper, bows, ribbons
• Paper and cardboard lined with foil
• Fast food drink cups (plastic)

I hope you found this helpful and gives you the motivation to start recycling :) It can seem complicated at first but if you make it a part of your everyday routine, this will become second nature to you. Have fun recycling!