If you're looking for eco-friendly lifestyle ideas, you're definitely not alone. After all, in 2022 it's impossible not to know that traditional, unsustainable ways of living cannot be continued. However, you don't need to take drastic measures or spend a lot to lead a more sustainable lifestyle. Rather than focusing on the big things, today we'll look at all the little actions we, as individuals, can take to live sustainably while still having a bit of fun.
Mind what you eat
As the saying goes, "you are what you eat", and this is also true for your carbon footprint. While enjoying the food you love and getting all the nutrients you need, there are plenty of things we can do to minimize our food-related environmental impact:
- Only buy what you are going to eat, even in the face of what seems like the best buy-one-get-one-free supermarket offer ever!
- Eat less processed food. It's better for the environment, and for you too.
- Aim for a balanced diet. Though we're not advocating any specific diets, we really cannot turn a blind eye to the staggering carbon emissions of the meat industry.
Buy eco-friendly products. To make things simpler, here's a really useful list of eco-friendly labels, and a thorough explanation of their meanings.
Get creative outside! If you have a little garden or even some window ledge space, why not grow some herbs and vegetables yourself, to cut down those food miles? Transportation and delivery account for 5% of food-related carbon emissions, and crops from your own garden will surely taste extra-special.
If you haven't got a green thumb, why not try some local, seasonal produce? You can still reduce transport-based emissions, plus support the community on your doorstep!
Recycle what you don't wear
We all have a few clothes hiding quietly in the wardrobe, that we tell ourselves we will wear again someday. Sorry to break the truth to you: you're not going to. Don't just head to the garbage bin with them! There are numerous apps for selling pre-loved clothes, and donating them to charity can be a big help for those in need. In case you didn't know, your clothes can have some serious environmental implications:
- It takes 700 gallons of water to manufacture a cotton shirt and 2,000 gallons of water to manufacture a pair of jeans.
- Textile dyes are the world's second-largest water pollutant, right next to pesticides.
- Many clothes are made from synthetic fibers, which can contaminate the environment once thrown away.
Besides recycling what we no longer wear, it's also a great idea to purchase quality clothes that last for years, instead of fast fashion items. While the upfront cost might be higher, you'll make a saving in the long run; to use another well-known saying, "if you buy cheap, you'll have to buy twice". Besides, the joy of getting what you really desire is irreplaceable.
Choose less packaged products
As well as being more aware of what we consume, we should also pay attention to what we throw away. Every year we create 400 million tonnes of plastic waste, with 40% coming from product packaging. Plastic packaging can remain in the environment for millions of years and is life-threatening for wild animals.
Being well aware of this issue, all TENWAYS e-bikes come in protective packaging that's made from ≥ 85% recyclable and eco-friendly materials, mostly cardboard cartons. These can be recycled for future use and, being biodegradable, have minimal impact on the environment following delivery.
Swap your car keys for e-bike keys
Two wheels are good, four wheels are bad. This is especially true for Mother Earth. On day-to-day trips, an e-bike can help you reach almost everywhere a passenger car would, and emits at least 90% less carbon dioxide. Every time you reach for your e-bike keys instead of the car keys, you're giving Mother Earth a helping hand. Doing this regularly adds up to a big win for the environment, and for everyone around you.
If you replace car trips with e-bikes for daily commuting, the carbon-saving for an average commuter can amount to 1.55 metric tonnes per year or the equivalent of planting 71 trees in your city! Not to mention the additional physical and mental health benefits you get from regular exercise. With gas prices constantly on the rise, you'll surely save a fortune by opting out of petrol cars!
Want to know about an e-bike that packs all these benefits in one super-user-friendly package? That's the TENWAYS CGO600: a versatile commuter e-bike that suits every style of life. No matter whether you want to step up your commuting game, or run errands in a more eco-friendly way, the CGO600 is the go-to option for modern city dwellers.
Conserve energy whenever you can
Here comes our last – and most important – tip: conserve energy whenever you can. Energy consumption is directly related to carbon emissions, and a little effort here really does go a long way. One of the easiest and quickest ways to take action is to unplug electronic appliances that aren't in use, including your e-bike. Once your e-bike is fully charged, unplugging it can help to conserve energy, save money, and protect the battery cells!
Besides unplugging in time, another helpful tip is off-peak charging. When you use electricity in off-peak hours, the coal-fired power plants are less likely to be triggered to come online, which of course helps to reduce carbon emissions. Once you put this into action, you will be surprised at the savings on your energy bill, as many cities offer reduced electricity prices for off-peak hours.
Think green, live green
Leading a sustainable lifestyle doesn't need to be overwhelming, and you don't need to do everything to perfection from day 1. Maybe you can start by putting one of our suggestions into action today, and begin to make a bit of progress week by week. Sometimes it's the smallest actions that are the easiest to keep consistent and then generate the most impact in the long run.
Though environmental news stories can seem all doom and gloom, we at TENWAYS love to have, and to share, a positive mindset. Start taking active steps to protect the environment for future generations, and always remember to have lots of fun in the process. Have top tips of your own? Share them with us, we'd love to hear from you!
TENWAYS is keen to share your attitude and lifestyle, and accompany you on your way to work, friends and families on your e-bikes. Please check out TENWAYS on our YouTube, Instagram and Facebook. We are looking forward to exploring a fun journey with you!
