The First Few Steps Towards Ethical Living
There are many things you need to do and changes you must make to get started with ethical living. For some, it can be a challenge at first because it goes against a lifetime of what you already know. So, here are some expert tips to get you started on your new lifestyle path.
Use Companies with High Ethical Standards
First, you must make yourself aware of the companies you use. We all know of the ones to avoid who greenwash their image with fancy ad campaigns. Avoid these like the plague. And embrace the ones with transparency about their products and how they help communities. For instance, Trollbeads beads pendants are made thanks to opportunities given to poor communities across Asia so they can make a fair and decent wage while learning new skills.
Ethical Living Includes Recycling
One of the easiest ways to live a more sustainable and ethical life is to recycle. About a quarter of what you throw away can be recycled, like paper, plastic, and metal. So, try to buy things containing recycled paper and other materials when you can. And make sure you do your part to recycle the water you use. Of course, you can also buy used phones, clothes, and furniture to reduce the amount of trash that ends up in landfills that are already full.
Reduce How Much Meat You Eat
As the number of people grows, so does the need for meat. Because of this, more and more land is needed to keep animals and grow food for them. It’s strange when half the world is hungry. The vegan and vegetarian communities know that there is a moral and ethical need to save meat. But it also makes you healthier. If it’s hard for you, start by putting less meat on your plate, or have one day a week when you don’t eat meat.
Begin Your Zero Waste Journey
You are making a great decision just by reading this article. But there is more to an ethical standard of living than recycling. One of the main objectives is to also achieve a zero-waste lifestyle, which is one of the most challenging things you can do. So, here are some starter tips:
a. Make sure you compost your food scraps to use as fertilizer in your garden.
b. Switch to bamboo for things such as soap holders, makeup tools, and toothbrushes.
c. Send unwearable clothes and broken gadgets to waste centers, don’t bin them.
d. Switch to organic soap and shampoo bars rather than liquid to save money.
e. Carefully plan your meals, so you know exactly how much you need to buy.
Making just these simple changes alone will start you on a path that saves not only the planet but your finances too. Reducing waste has a direct impact on your wallet since you reduce how much you need. Begin with one, and gradually include the others in your life, step by step.
Be Aware of Where Your Food Comes From
Most of the food in your supermarket comes from poor countries and is made by poor people who are paid low wages. This is a very big moral problem and a big part of the problem. But great food is always right outside your door, almost no matter where you live. Also, food that comes from nearby is more nutritious, in season, and helps the local economy. Food that is brought in from far away to sell in supermarkets also contributes to a large carbon footprint. How to eat more veggies can be a start.
Learn to Make Clothing for Ethical Living
You might not think about it, but making your own clothes isn’t as hard as you might think. Of course, this takes some time, skill, and effort. But just like with anything else, you can make what you need when you need it. And often for a lot less money. You’ll need a sewing machine first. But there are a lot of good ones you can buy used. To get started, look for expert tutorials on sites like Craftsy or YouTube. You might even be able to turn it into a business.
Buy Only What You Need
We purchase a lot of things we don’t need these days. And we spend a lot of money on things like clothes, food, and things that make our lives easier. And a lot of it gets thrown away. You probably already know that having more stuff doesn’t make you happier. In fact, you end up being owned by the things you own. So, try to buy only things that are useful and that you will actually use. And plan each week’s meals so you only buy the amount of food you’ll need.
Summary
Ethical living begins with a first step and goes on for the rest of your life. So, to begin, you can use companies with high ethical standards, implement zero waste and buy only what you need.
