Five ways to be more eco-friendly without dramatically altering your life

Over the last decade, environmental issues have been a hot topic that has garnered much attention and for good reason. Research has shown that climate change and global warming are set to worsen in the future. 

For those who are unsure of where to begin, here are five hassle-free tips to lead a more sustainable lifestyle without drastically changing your life.

With the ease and instantaneity of communication today, it is no longer a necessity for our documents to be in paper form. 

To go paperless, simply opt for your bills, mails and even receipts to be sent online such as through emails whenever the option is available.

This will help you minimise clutter while reducing the environmental impact on forests, decreasing the amount of discarded waste in landfills and conserving energy. 

With these advantages in mind, you can start playing your part by digitising your life. 

From competitively priced clothes to apparel that have adopted the latest trends, the appeal of fast fashion is immense.

Yet, the adverse environmental impacts that it brings about is understated. These include increased global carbon emissions, the pollution of water bodies and the depletion of non-renewable energy. 

Thrifting is one way to mitigate these effects. It is a form of recycling which contributes to a decrease in water consumption and chemical pollution catalysed by the production of clothes.

Pay a visit to the local thrift stores across Singapore and you might even walk home with branded clothes in mint condition. 

Not all bulbs are created equal. Common light bulbs comprise incandescent, halogen, compact fluorescent (CFL) and light-emitting diodes (LED). 

The most environmentally friendly option is the LED bulb which uses the least amount of energy – the primary factor pertaining to environmental impact. 

Coupled with its considerable lifespan of up to 10 years, this goes a long way towards conserving resources such as fossil fuels while decreasing greenhouse gas emissions. 

Additionally, technological advancements mean that LED efficiency will constantly be upgraded, making it sustainable for the future.

Many people tend to overlook the ramifications of leaving their devices plugged in — namely the phenomenon of phantom energy. 

Phantom energy, also referred to as vampire power, is the electricity that continues to be used by appliances even when the switch is turned off. 

This results in a waste of energy and exacerbates climate change with the burning of fossil fuels.

Foster a good practice of unplugging your appliances from the power source whenever they are not in use. To ease the process, a power strip can be utilised to simultaneously disconnect all the devices. 

As a bonus, your electricity bill will see a dip as well. 

Single-use plastic bags take a massive toll on our planet. 

Not only do they release toxic gases into the atmosphere when burned, but they can also pose a threat to aquatic life. 

Now, imagine millions of people around the world disposing of their used plastic each week after shopping and you will begin to fathom just how alarming the situation is. 

As an alternative, you can choose to bring along a reusable bag whenever you are purchasing anything. This includes canvas tote bags, durable jute bags and stylish hemp bags. 

While your personal efforts to go green may seem inconsequential, the combined efforts of the world can make a difference in combating environmental issues.