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Whether it’s videos exposing the severe effects of plastic waste on our oceans or fashion brands making conscious efforts to be more eco-friendly, sustainability has been a major point of discussion in recent years. What you do every day – from what you eat to where you shop – can have long-lasting effects on the environment, so it’s important to be thoughtful and intentional with everything you do.

But what does living sustainably actually mean? If you’re not sure where to start, here are seven simple yet impactful ways to live more sustainably.

Use a rideshare service
Think about all the gas you can save by using a rideshare service. Lyft, for example, finds riders for you to carpool with to your destination. Plus, when you choose to ride with a company like Lyft, you’re supporting large-scale, eco-friendly efforts, such as Lyft’s carbon offset program, which is offsetting over a million metric tons of carbon.

Recycle your old makeup
Instead of tossing old makeup products or throwing empties into your trash can, there are a number of ways you can recycle these types of beauty products.

Eat less meat
Not only does eating less meat offer health benefits for your body, but it’s also good for the environment. Taking a majority of the meat out of your diet reduces the amount of land and water use involved in your everyday food purchases.

Shop at the local farmers market
Whenever possible, try to eat local, in-season produce. This helps reduce the carbon footprint created from shipping foods to other locations. It’s also important to avoid nonorganic and processed foods, as these are often sprayed with toxic pesticides and other harmful chemicals.

Ditch plastic straws
At the rate that we’re using and disposing of plastic, there will be more plastic in the ocean (by weight) than fish by 2050. So instead of sipping your Starbucks with a disposable straw, opt for a reusable metal one instead.

Say “no” to zip-close bags
There are so many plastic bag alternatives you can use to store your groceries that will help reduce plastic waste. Try using glass jars to hold your veggies and fruits, cloth to keep your bread fresh, or even keep your produce in the freezer until it’s ready to eat.

Forget fast fashion
Many brands are pumping out styles that will only be on trend for a short period of time, ultimately wasting resources and filling landfills. Instead, head to the thrift store and shop secondhand clothing or shop from sustainable fashion brands. It’s better for the environment and you’ll save a ton of cash.

xx, The FabFitFun Team