Over the past five years, Dubai has actively worked to make the city more eco-friendly. From implementing renewable energy plans to enhancing their public transport systems. With all their steps, we can also play a part in going green.
“But how do I start?” Don’t worry, here are a few tips on how to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
The most common saying among those who live an environmentally conscious lifestyle is the three R’s: reduce, reuse and recycle. Let’s break that down:
Recycling is the easiest way to be environmentally responsible. There are plenty of easily accessible recycling bins and centres across the city. Find the closest recycling centre near you today and see what items they accept (some will take glass, others don’t).
Reducing waste is also very important; this can be done by either buying bulk to reduce single-use packaging waste or adjusting how you buy daily items to decrease the amount of plastic thrown away. A straightforward way is to install a water filtration system at home or buy a water cooler. That way, you can fill up your water at home instead of purchasing single-use plastic bottles regularly.
And finally, reusing. You’d be surprised how often you can take an item and give it new life. Our favourite example is glass jars. Try out a picnic lunch using old glass jars! Thoroughly clean them out and pack yourself and your family, friends, or loved ones a delicious salad to eat on a day out at the park.
A surprising answer on how to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle is through one of fashion’s newest and biggest trends: thrifting and buying from sustainable fashion brands. Many sustainable fashion brands and shops are popping up across Dubai and the UAE. You can buy interesting upcycled pieces or eco-conscious clothes, and you’ll also be supporting a local business.
Instead of buying from fast fashion, try to buy second-hand or do clothing swaps with your friends. Fast fashion brands are a significant contributor to global waste. Not only do people throw out and buy clothes frequently, but the fast fashion factories also create a lot of pollution. Across Dubai, you can find clothing swaps, thrift stores, or even high-end consignment shops of sustainably sourced clothes. Who knows, you could find your next prized possession at a sustainable fashion store.
Make use of the city’s extensive public transportation system - from the buses to the metro. In a city like Dubai, there’s no shortage of alternative ways to navigate the city. The government has also made it a point to make public transportation more easily accessible to different parts of the city so that nobody is left behind.
Best of all, you can enjoy areas like Palm Jumeirah using only the Palm Monorail. In an area like Palm Jumeirah, there are many activities to enjoy and places to see. It’d be such a shame to navigate it in a car when there’s a tramway that gives you an excellent view of the area and can quickly get you across the vicinity.
A sweet and simple environmentally friendly swap: bags! Keep the plastic bags you’ve (hopefully) saved to the side, and get yourself a tote bag. All supermarkets and shops can accommodate your new shift. Just make sure to bring your bags with you wherever you go! The best way to do this is to find an old tote bag at home or see if anyone you know is giving theirs away/selling them.
Extra tip: Make sure you’ve saved your plastic bags. As we mentioned (remember the three R’s), reusing is just as important as not using new plastic bags. You can recycle or reuse these at home as bin linings, stuff in boxes with fragile items, or in more creative ways - the options are endless!
One of the definitive answers on how to live an environmentally friendly lifestyle is the classic: use less water! Make it a point to take shorter showers, turn off the tap when brushing your teeth, and more. A super simple way to reduce water wastage is by reusing water from your cooking. You can also take water from your leftover pasta water to water the plants, as the starch does not adversely affect your beautiful potted plants.
There you have it! Five accessible and actionable ways to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle.
If you’re trying to figure out how to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, taking small steps like these can make a massive difference in the long run. Have fun, and stay green!
