There’s a big push in popular culture right now to start living a more ethical lifestyle. This can be interpreted in many different ways, but most of these ways require major lifestyle changes that might not be realistic for your family or budget. If you want to live a more ethical life, but aren’t ready to jump to extremes quite yet, check out these small ways to live more ethically.
Shop fair trade
Whenever you have the opportunity to purchase something that’s certified fair-trade, do it. Do some research to get a better understanding of fair-trade so that you can more easily identify fair-trade items and start putting people and the planet above economics. This small change can impact many small farmers, textile workers, factory workers, and entire economies over time.
Give back
Spring is still off in the distance, but it’s never too early to think about spring cleaning or cleaning in general. Go through your things, and donate what you don’t need. This will not only declutter your home, but also help people in need of items you don’t utilize. Cleaning out your entire home can be a daunting task, so don’t feel like you must complete it all at once. Start by going through each room or even each drawer, and take your time. Once you’ve cleared everything out, make a habit of donating items you don’t need anymore.
Shop organic
When you do your regular grocery shopping, do your best to buy only organic food and produce. This may sound a lot more expensive than buying nonorganic goods, but you can bring the cost down in several ways. Shop the sales, try out discount grocers, buy from local farmers, or even cut coupons before heading out on your weekly grocery shopping trip. Shopping organic is a small way you can help the environment and workers around the world.
Minimize waste
Try to limit the amount of disposable items you use every day. For example, if you get a coffee on your way to work, bring a reusable cup instead of using the paper or plastic one provided by your café of choice. This method can save you money and help the environment. Similarly, when you’re shopping, bring your own bags. You can work to minimize the amount of waste you produce overall in many small ways.