How Personally Sustainable Are You?

Have you ever wondered how environmentally conscious you are? You might even wonder what is zero waste. Zero waste is a concept that focuses on reducing a person's consumption and minimizing their waste. There are several different ways to live in a zero waste way, but the most important step is to become aware of the impact your actions have on the environment. Then, try a few simple steps to make your life more sustainable.

Sustainability is the process of meeting present needs without compromising future generations. Damian Soong, CEO of nutrition company Form Nutrition, defines sustainability as "meeting our needs without compromising future generations." Once, living sustainably meant taking public transportation, packing your own lunch, and not buying a plastic-wrapped sandwich. Today, however, it means choosing brands that do their part, investing in eco-ventures, and calling on big companies to do more.

Consider how much plastic you use. Consider how many plastics you actually need. If you don't need it, try donating it to a charity or poor kids. And if you really need something, try buying second hand or online. Consider purchasing items made from recycled materials, using solar energy chargers, and purchasing recycled goods. Make sure to choose sustainable fashion, use clothing rental websites, and buy ethically-made jewelry.

Consider a day a week to practice eco-friendly living. A full day without resource-use will reduce carbon emissions by 14.4 percent per year. If you can commit to a whole day of Earth Day, this can become a great habit! The world needs a little bit of help, so start today! You will be glad you did. This simple change will go a long way towards making a difference.