Principles of

SUSTAINABLE
LIVING
Group 10: Castillanes, Gilo, & Liego
 CONTENTS
Definition
Principles of Sustainability

Principles of Sustainable Living

Benefits of Sustainable Living

Methods of Sustainable Living

Ways to be sustainable in living

Human behaviors negative impacts on

sustainable living
SUSTAINABLE LIVING
It is all about making choices that not only
benefit us but also have a positive impact
on our environment. It’s about adopting
practices that help preserve our planet’s
natural resources, reduce our
environmental footprint, and support the
health and well-being of all life forms.
PRINCIPLES OF SUSTAINABILITY
There are three main principles of
sustainability:
Social Equity
Economic viability
Environmental preservation
SOCIAL EQUITY
It refers to societal systems and structures that
actively support current and future generations’ ability
to live healthily and comfortably. Socially sustainable
communities are authentically democratic, diverse,
equitable, connected, and provide people with a good
living standard.
ECONOMIC VIABILITY
It represents strategies used to encourage
individuals and corporations to use socio-
economic resources to their advantage. Economic
sustainability ensures that businesses make a
profit without creating social or environmental
issues.
ENVIRONMENTAL PRESERVATION
The best-known, occurring when processes,
systems, and activities minimize the environmental
impact of their products, facilities, and operations.
It focuses on zero-waste product manufacturing,
managing energy consumption, and switching to
green energy in offices, headquarter buildings,
warehouses, and factories.
PrINCIPLES OF
SUSTAINABLE
LIVING
1. EFFECTIVE LAND USE AND WILDLIFE
PROTECTION
This principle requires people to realize the
need for effective land use and wildlife
protection. The aim of the principle is to aid in
creating new habitats and restoring biodiversity
through effective land use and incorporating
the practices in our surrounding environments.
2. SUSTAINABLE WATER USAGE
The requirement for the efficient use of water in farms,
construction, and manufacturing is part of sustainable
living principles. The principle emphasizes on the need
to advance good water utilization practices by
designing water management systems that can deal
with issues such as flooding, water wastage, and
protection of water sources from pollution or
destruction.
3. SUPPORTING LOCAL AND ORGANIC
FOODS
Sustainable farming is one of the vital principles of
sustainable living. The principal insists on humane and
sustainable farming by encouraging the availability of
healthy, local, organic, low impact, and seasonal diets.
Food wastage is also highly discouraged. For this
reason, people need to support local farming and
organically grown products by buying local and eating
organic foodstuffs.
4. THE USE OF SUSTAINABLE
MATERIALS
Sustainable materials refer to healthy,
efficient, and durable products. Examples
include materials that are locally sourced,
manufactured from waste or renewable
resources, and those with low embodied
energy.
5. THE USE OF SUSTAINABLE
TRANSPORT
Promoting the use of low and zero-carbon
transport mechanisms is one of the overriding
principles of sustainable living. It encompasses the
need to reduce travel and accepting green
transport services such as electric trains and cars
and walking or cycling as an alternative to driving
high emission vehicles.
6. ZERO WASTE AND ZERO
CARBON
According to this sustainable living principle, every
little thing done should focus on reducing the waste to
the landfills. Only buying and consuming the needed
staff is essential.
Priority should be given on quality and not quantity to
achieve this goal. People also need to find the easiest
ways of using efficient and renewable technology.
7. CREATING OWN HEALTHY
ENVIRONMENT
This involves indulging in active and
meaningful life activities to promote good
health and well being. Fun, healthy, and less
stressful living can be achieved by fun
activities such as biking, hiking, walking,
sailing, and skiing.
8. REALIZE LOCAL CULTURAL
VALUES
Culture has easy and effective ways of
preserving and enhancing the local
environment. For instance, local cultures
stress conservation, minimizing wastage,
and the use of local materials and organic
products.
9. REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
REDUCE
This means cutting back on the amount of waste we
generate. It’s about being mindful of our consumption
and making choices that limit our waste. For instance,
you could start by buying only what you need. This not
only saves you money but also reduces the amount of
waste you produce. You could also opt for products
with less packaging or choose to go paperless
whenever possible.
9. REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
REUSE
This involves finding new ways to use things that would
otherwise be thrown out. For instance, you could
donate clothes you no longer wear or find creative
ways to repurpose old furniture. You could also bring
your shopping bags to the grocery store or use a
reusable water bottle instead of buying bottled water.
By reusing items, we can extend their life cycle and
reduce the demand for new products.
9. REDUCE, REUSE, RECYCLE
RECYCLE
Recycling involves turning waste materials
into new products. This can include
everything from paper and plastic to
electronics and appliances. By recycling, we
can reduce the amount of waste that ends
up in landfills and conserve natural
resources.
10. THINK GLOBALLY, ACT
LOCALLY
This highlights the importance of local action
in addressing global challenges. While global
issues like climate change and resource
depletion may seem overwhelming, the
actions we take in our local communities can
contribute to the solution.
11. USE RENEWABLE
RESOURCES
Resources that can be replenished naturally over
time. Unlike fossil fuels, which take millions of years
to form, renewable resources such as sunlight, wind,
and water are virtually unlimited. By using
renewable resources, we can reduce our
dependence on fossil fuels, decrease greenhouse
gas emissions, and move towards a more
12. RESPECT DIVERSITY
Respecting diversity means recognizing and
appreciating the variety of characteristics that make
individuals unique in an atmosphere that promotes and
celebrates individual and collective achievement. It’s
about understanding that each individual is unique and
recognizing our differences. These can be along race,
ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, socio-economic
status, age, physical abilities, religious beliefs, political
beliefs, or other ideologies.
13. INTERCONNECTEDNESS
Interconnectedness is the concept that all
things are linked. Every action we take,
every decision we make, has an impact that
ripples out, affecting various systems and
entities. This includes not only the people
and communities around us but also the
natural world and the diverse species that
 1. HEALTH BENEFITS
Living a sustainable lifestyle is a sure way of
attaining increased fitness and improved life
balance. The health benefits are attributed to
little dependence on vehicles or machinery and
the consumption of quality food products that is
either locally or organically produced.
 2. BETTER AND MORE STABLE PLANET FOR
FUTURE GENERATIONS
The most important reason for making a decision to live
sustainably is to simply safeguard the environment. It means
ensuring its stability and existence for future generations.
Utilizing the sun’s energy, reducing environmental footprint,
use of non-toxic materials, and effectively using the planet’s
resources will ensure the environment is stable and able to
support the current generations as well as generations to
come in the future.
 3. COST SAVINGS
Sustainable living is the surest way of cutting back on
living costs because it entails reducing the earth’s
natural resource consumption.
For instance, sustainable homes promise reduced
costs of water consumption, heating, and lighting
through the implementation of water-saving
techniques, use of green energy, and smart lighting
solutions respectively.
 4. MAXIMIZING ENERGY AND WATER
EFFICIENCY
The use of passive ventilation systems, passive
solar design, water recycling techniques,
rainwater harvesting, and waste management will
ensure the maximization of energy and water
efficiency. This benefit guarantees comfortable
homes with reduced utility bills and resource
wastage.
 5. SUSTAINABLE AND DURABLE
PRODUCTS
A sustainable lifestyle entails purchasing and using products
that are green, durable, and sufficient. Furniture products
crafted from Bamboo are good examples as they are entirely
sufficient and last even longer.
Besides, unlike timber, bamboo doesn’t release stored CO2.
Other sustainable, durable, and affordable materials are
those crafted from recycled products or waste matter. Aside
from their sufficiency and durability, they also help the
environment.
 1. STOPPING THE USE OF PLASTICS
Plastics are a growing menace in our environments and
they take billions of years to decompose. Furthermore,
they also contain hazardous chemicals and are associated
with the deaths of thousands of marine mammals,
seabirds, sea turtles, and seals after ingesting the plastic
or having been trapped in them. Therefore, ditching plastic
especially one-time-use plastic products is a great example
of sustainable living.
 2. REDUCING HOUSEHOLD ENERGY USE AND THE
UTILIZATION OF RENEWABLE ENERGY
Reducing the overall household energy use promises a sustainable
lifestyle. This can simply be done by turning off lights and appliances
when not in use, installing energy-efficient appliances, use of a
programmable thermostat that regulates the temperature, hang
clothes to dry as an alternative to using the dryer, and replacing
incandescent light bulbs with led bulbs.
The installation and use of solar or wind power is similarly a practical
way of reducing energy costs and offsetting the overall carbon
footprint.
 3. FINDING CREATIVE WAYS OF REUSING
EVERYTHING
There are a thousand and one incredible ways of reusing almost
everything. Reusing plastic packaging, bottles, and cups for other
purposes is just one example. For instance, instead of throwing away
used plastic water bottles, you can extend its lifetime by using it as a
water bottle.
The same applies to common household products such as mugs, jugs,
magazines, shoes, clothes, mats among others. Instead of throwing
such items away, resale or donate to give them an extended lifespan.
 4. COOKING FOOD BY YOURSELF AND EATING
LOCALLY
Cooking food by yourself will ensure you enjoy your food and
above all, you’ll be eating healthy while at the same time cutting
back on your spending.
Eating locally is also a more impressive way of living
sustainably. Instead of taking a trip to the supermarket, shop for
vegetables, fruits, and other products locally as those in the
supermarkets consume huge amounts of fossil fuel during
transportation.
 5. CONSERVE WATER
Conserving water in the house is an easy way to live more
sustainably. By installing water-efficient toilets, using water-
efficient washers, and the use of water-saving showerheads
can significantly conserve water.

For landscaping, plants that are drought tolerant are the best
as they’ll require less water for watering. Harvesting
rainwater and wastewater recycling is also effective.
 6. DEPEND LESS ON YOUR CAR,
DRIVE GREEN
Carpooling, vanpooling, use of public transport or the rail
system, biking, and walking are some of the most efficient and
sustainable practices. If you intend to move within a short
distance, bike, or walk instead of using the car.
Driving as one person in the car is completely not sustainable
and is highly discouraged. The less one depends on his/her car,
the lesser the fossil fuel emissions.
 7. GROW YOUR OWN PLANTS AND
VEGETABLES
Growing your own plants and vegetables is a perfect
example of sustainable living. Simply grow a few plants
and vegetables along the driveway, at the corner of your
yard, or in a window box.
Big space is not a necessity provided the plants can grow
and serve you with enough edible fruits, herbs, or
vegetables to consume.
 8. RECYCLE ITEMS
Subscribing to recycling programs provides an
opportunity for sustainable living. Have the used glass
or plastic products and obsolete electronics such as
TVs, laptops, refrigerators, cell phones, batteries,
monitors, CFLs among others picked up by
appropriate recycling companies for responsible
recycling.
 9. LIVING IN A SMALL HOME
Staying in a small home encourages a simple lifestyle
instead of the modern desire to live in unreasonably big
homes. It has its benefits as it reduces the environmental
impacts and the cost of living that comes with living in larger
homes than required.
Also, small homes are resource-efficient and reduce
material wastage thus saving the planet’s resources for
future generations.
1. USE LESS WATER
Many parts of the world are privileged enough to
have access to clean water every day, but that
doesn’t mean we should squander our water. Keep
an eye on the length of your showers, and re-use
unsalted cooking water to feed your plants! They’ll
be glad of the extra nutrients.
2. START A COMPOST BIN
Composting your leftover fruits and
vegetables helps the soil retain moisture,
reducing water runoff and conserving
landfill space for things that we cannot
recycle.
3. CONSUME FEWER PRODUCTS OVERALL
Whether we buy products in a store or have them
delivered to our homes, we often forget the indirect
damage these goods can inflict. When we buy a product,
we’re also paying for the manufacturer and their daily
commute to work, the material shipping, and the product’s
delivery to our homes or stores. We can offset this by
only buying what we really need.
4. RECYCLE EVERYTHING YOU CAN
Items that we don’t recycle often end up in
landfills, contributing to the noxious gases that
affect our collective health and contribute to
global warming. Simply check the packaging
for a recycle symbol and put it in the right can!
5. PURCHASE ECO-FRIENDLY GOODS
You’d be surprised how many everyday items aren’t
great for the environment: cleaning products, standard
toilet paper, shampoo bottles, toothbrushes, and
sanitary products are all often un-recyclable.
Thankfully, there are many eco-friendly alternatives
available today — it’s just a matter of doing a little
research before you buy.
6. MONITOR YOUR ENERGY USAGE
It’s tempting in winter to blast the heating,
just as it is to have the AC on all day in the
summer. Not only is excessive energy use
costly, but it’s also wasteful and uses
precious resources that will deplete one day.
7. CREATE LESS FOOD WASTE AND SAVE MONEY BY
PRE-PORTIONING
This simple practice will often save
you from overeating and result in
better physical health.
8. REACH OUT TO YOUR LOCAL GOVERNMENT
OFFICIALS
We need to make personal changes for the sake of the
planet, but government officials have the power to make
changes that the public cannot. Write to your local
government officials and urge them to champion green
energy policies and ensure that public transportation is
better for public health.
9. SUPPORT LOCAL SHOPS TO PREVENT
SHIPPING
When you shop local, you help support small
businesses while offsetting excessive environmental
transport costs. From an economic standpoint,
shopping local also helps small businesses stay
open and continue employing local people.
10. USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT WHEN POSSIBLE
Cars are a privilege, and they can be convenient when we need to drive locally, but if
you need to run an errand a walking distance away, try to walk or cycle. It’ll have a
positive impact on your health, save you money, and offset pollution!
While there are many ways we can all start to live more sustainably, it can feel as
though the big corporations are the only ones who can make a real difference. When
it comes to energy usage, though, that’s no longer true! With clean energy utility
providers, you have the power to drive up the demand for clean, sustainable energy
on the grid. You can opt for a service that promises affordable, reliable,
environmentally responsible energy that won’t leave you with any surprises.
1.We are using nonrenewable
resources such as fossil fuels as if
they were present in unlimited
supplies.

2. We are using renewable resources

such as fresh water and forests faster
than they are replenished naturally.
3. We are polluting the environment-the land,
rivers, ocean, and atmosphere-with toxins as if
the capacity of the environment to absorb them
were limitless.
4. Our numbers continue to grow, despite
Earth's finite ability to feed us and to absorb our
wastes.
5. Our activities disrupt the ability of natural
processes to regenerate; this happens from the
local to the global scale.