If you're brand-new to learning about the environment and want to start living more sustainably, here are some habits you can start incorporating today. 

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1. REDUCE, REUSE, then Recycle

Somehow, the first two of the three R's get forgotten - but they're the most important. In all areas of your life, start examining how you can reduce your use: less water, less meat, less clothing, less gas. Rather than throw out an item, ask yourself if there's a way to repurpose it. Especially in the developed world, we're accustomed to excessive consumption - cutting down is the best place to start.

 

2. Start using less plastic. 

Only about 9% of plastic ever gets recycled - the rest ends up clogging landfills, polluting nature, and killing wildlife. Start eliminating single-use plastic from your life by packing and storing food in Tupperware and reusable silicone bags (Earth Hero has some great options), saving and reusing produce bags at the grocery store, and keeping some reusable totes around for shopping and transport. 

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3. Walk more, use public transport, and drive less.​​

Get more exercise while reducing your use of fossil fuels and alleviating air pollution? Sounds like a win-win-win.

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4. Purchase more sustainable clothing (or reduce your purchases in general).

Fashion is responsible for about 10% of global CO2 emissions and creates a lot of waste. There are many new retailers popping up that offer clothing made from sustainable materials, via fairer methods (standouts include Patagonia, Mara Hoffman, and Athleta, but many other brands exist!) Of course, the best option is just to reduce your purchases in general - try setting a clothing budget or do a 10 x 10 challenge.

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5. Explore your vegetarian/vegan side.

Conventional methods of raising animals generates a lot of greenhouse gases. But if you're ready to reduce the amount of meat and animal products you eat, there's a plethora of great bloggers and chefs out there that are creating great vegtarian and vegan food. Rather than doing Meatless Mondays, flip the script and do Meat Mondays - with vegetarian/vegan food as the norm for the rest of the week. Or try to eat vegan before 6 o'clock, a la Mark Bittman. Get creative and try some new recipes from Love & Lemons, Minimalist Baker, or The First Mess. 

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6. Convert to more sustainable makeup and personal care products.

All the soap, lotion, shampoo, and deodorant in our bathroom cabinets is very damaging. Not only do these products contain chemicals and substances that get washed down the drain and into our waterways, but they're also packaged in single-use, non-biodegradable plastic containers. Luckily, there are many resources online to help you choose better products. 

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7. Get some green friends.

Changing your habits is more achievable when you have a strong support system. Search online to find environmental groups in your local area and join a team! Surfrider, The Sierra Club, Sunrise Movement, and many other national groups also have regional chapters. Find green friends who will expand your knowlegde, support your habit changes, and connect you with opportunities to advocate for the environment. 

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