261_Seven Tips for Sustainable Living in 2026

Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast

Episode 261

Seven Tips for Sustainable Living in 2026

Over the past couple of years, you have listened me talk about a wide variety of topics focusing on sustainable living. While researching these topics, I have repeatedly come across articles that would condemn us for destroying the planet with the end message focused on how we should change the way we live.

What I have notice over that past couple of years is that trend of what sustainable living focuses on is starting to shift in a good way. As we approach 2026, sustainable living is shifting towards practical, consistent actions rather than perfection, emphasizing local, social, and achievable changes that tend to foster well-being and environmental protection.

So join me for E261 Seven Tips for Sustainable Living in 2026

Welcome back everyone to the Adventures in Sustainable Living Podcast. This is your host Patrick and this is E 261 Seven Tips for Sustainable Living in 2026.

What I want to focus on this episode is the changing trends in the focus of sustainability. Since I’ve had this podcast up and running for several years now, I have certainly seen the focus change in several key ways. That is what I wanted to share since we are now heading into 2026.

But before we get to that, let’s first talk about the good news story of the week.

Good News Story of the Week

This week’s good news story has to do with a tragedy that was followed by a stroke of good luck.

A small Spanish town, called La Baneza, was devastated by wildfires this past Spring. There was a total of 120,000 wooded acres that was scorched by the wildfires which left 8,000 residents displaced. The town prayed for rain but it did not come. Next the town bought 117 numbers in the El Gordo Christmas lottery, sponsored by the Spanish government. Because of that, the town’s misfortune turned into a staggering stroke of luck.

All the winning numbers they picked total to half a billion USD. After taxes, each villager netted between $20K and $30K USD. This was literally a godsend for those whose homes were damaged by the fire. There is a superstition in El Gordo that good luck follows bad. In this case it was certainly true.

So, let’s move on to this week’s episode.

One thing is for sure about our society, things are always changing. The same is certainly true for public sentiment, meaning what our society focuses on now may not be the same 2 years from now, or maybe not even 2 weeks from now. But the same could be said for sustainable living.

What I have noticed is that as we approach 2026, the focus of sustainable living is shifting towards practical, consistent actions. I am not sure why this shift is happening but I suspect it is because most people are put off by the feeling of having to reach for perfection. Additionally, our environmental and climate challenges are so immense at this point that most people feel as if their individual actions mean nothing at all.

So what I want to accomplish with this episode is to outline some consistent and achievable actions to help you live more sustainably. We are not aiming for perfections, rather emphasizing local, social and achievable changes that tend to foster personal well-being and environmental protection.

As you will see, there are several key strategies to achieving this. None of this is difficult. It just requires focus and consistent behavior.

Why Sustainability in 2026 Looks Different

Sustainable living in 2026 is no longer about doing everything perfectly. For example, we do no need a few people living perfect waste free lives. We need millions of people trying to live waste free.

In 2026 sustainability is about resilience, adaptability, and realistic choices in a world that is now facing climate disruption, rising costs of living, and even social strain due to all the challenges we now face and even due to limitations on resources.

Today, sustainability focuses more on:

•  Reducing vulnerability
•  Increasing self-reliance
•  Strengthening communities
•  Improving quality of life

The good news? Contrary to popular belief, the most sustainable choices often make life simpler, cheaper, and healthier.

The Best Tips for Sustainable Living in 2026

Tip #1: Consume Less, Choose Better

This is something that is easy to overlook especially when you live in a culture that focuses on consumerism. Consequently, we tend to forget that the most powerful sustainable choice is not buying—or buying intentionally.

Best practices:

•  Buy fewer, higher-quality items that last. Think in terms of buy it once buy it for life.
•  Prioritize repairable and multi-use products
•  Choose secondhand, refurbished, or shared items

This shift:

•  Reduces resource extraction
•  Cuts waste at the source
•  Saves money over time

Sustainability begins before the checkout counter.

Tip #2: Make Food the Center of Sustainability

As individuals food remains the largest daily sustainability lever.

In 2026:

•  Food waste is recognized as a major climate issue. Reducing your food waste is one of the most effective wins against our changing climate.
•  Local food systems are increasingly vital
•  Home cooking, which is often overlooked,  is truly an act of resilience

High-impact actions:

•  Plan meals and track food inventory
•  Eat more plant-based, seasonal meals. This means meals that are based on what is seasonally available. It might be nice to have those imported grapes from South America in the middle of winter. But, such products have a high environmental impact.
•  Preserve food through freezing, drying, or fermenting

Reducing food waste saves:

•  Water
•  Energy
•  Land
•  Money

Tip #3: Use Energy Smarter, Not Harder

Sustainable living in 2026 emphasizes efficiency first.

Smart energy choices include:

•  Insulation, sealing, and efficient appliances
•  Electrifying homes where possible to reduce your dependence on fossil fuels.
•  Rooftop solar or community solar participation

Using less energy is often more impactful than producing more energy—and it reduces bills immediately.

Tip #4: Reduce Waste at the System Level

Waste reduction is moving beyond personal guilt to system redesign.

Key shifts:

•  Composting food scraps
•  Choosing refill and bulk options to reduce packaging waste
•  Supporting businesses that eliminate packaging

Every item you refuse, reuse, or repair sends a market signal. Always remember, choices make changes and it is truly our consumer choices that drive the marketplace.

Tip #5: Rethink Transportation and Daily Movement

Transportation remains one of the largest household emissions sources. This applies to me as well. As you likely know, a couple of years ago I closely examined my own lifestyle and discovered that my commuting was my biggest area of impact. I rearranged my work life and reduced that by almost 50%.

2026 strategies:

•  Combine trips and reduce unnecessary travel. For example, I rarely leave home on my days off. But, when I do, I combine enough errands that it takes me half a day to it all.
•  Walk, bike, or use public transit when possible.
•  Embrace remote or hybrid work models. It is worth the change even if you work from home one day a week. If everyone did this, it would reduce global oil consumption by 1%. A study in the US shows that remote working two or more days per week cuts emissions up to 29%. Those that work from home full time cut their personal emissions by 54%.

Less driving means:

•  Lower emissions
•  Lower expenses due to reducing travel related costs
•  Better physical and mental health

Tip #6: Protect Mental and Ecological Health Together

Burned-out people can’t build sustainable systems.

True sustainability includes:

•  Time in nature
•  Slower, intentional living is far healthier than our high octane lives that most people have
•  Reduced digital overload

When people feel grounded and connected, they make better long-term decisions—for themselves and the planet.

Contrary to popular belief, our digital, technology driven culture does not necessarily make our lives easier. It actually consumes more of our time. It often leads to increased stress and reduced mental well being. Constant connectivity and the pressure to always be available contributes to a sense of being perpetually busy.

Tip #7: Build Community Resilience

The most resilient communities in 2026 are connected communities.

Community-based sustainability includes:

•  Sharing tools, skills, and resources
•  Regular community gatherings such as potlucks and repair workshops
•  Supporting local food and energy systems
•  Teaching and modeling sustainable habits
•  Clear communication channels such as message boards and neighborhood groups

I do have to tell you that I have lived in a very small community for the last 30 years. We all know each other very well and there have been several times that we have all banded together to help out during emergencies. Most recently we had a horrendous wind storm that resulted in 6 trees that blocked the road and took out power lines. We spend a day and a half cutting trees and making sure a family with young children could actually get out for food and supplies.

It makes a huge difference when you actually work together because sustainability scales fastest through relationships. Things such as mutual aid, sharing economies, and local action.

The Sustainable Life Is the Good Life

At the end of the day, the conclusion is that the sustainable life is the good life. Far too many people still have the impression that living sustainably means giving up the things that mean the most to you. But sustainable living in 2026 is not about sacrifice, it’s about alignment. It means:

-Living within your limits

-Building resilience

-Creating sustainability in the face of an uncertain future.

Just remember that progress matters more than perfection. When millions of people make small, thoughtful changes, our future begins to shift. Sustainability is not just how we save the planet-it’s how we learn to live well. Living sustainably is actually an act of hope.

So, just to review some of the key points for this podcast episode.

Tip #1: Consume Less, Choose Better

The most powerful sustainable choice is not buying—or buying intentionally.

Tip #2: Make Food the Center of Sustainability

As individuals food remains our largest daily sustainability lever. Food waste is recognized as a major climate issue. Reducing your food waste is one of the most effective wins against our changing climate. 

Tip #3: Use Energy Smarter, Not Harder

Sustainable living in 2026 emphasizes efficiency first.

Focus on smart energy choices.

Tip #4: Reduce Waste at the System Level

•  Composting food scraps
•  Choosing refill and bulk options to reduce packaging waste
•  Supporting businesses that eliminate packaging

Tip #5: Rethink Transportation and Daily Movement

Transportation remains one of the largest household emissions sources.

Tip #6: Protect Mental and Ecological Health Together

Burned-out people can’t build sustainable systems.

True sustainability includes:

•  Time in nature
•  Slower, intentional living is far healthier than our high octane lives that most people have
•  Reduced digital overload

Tip #7: Build Community Resilience

•  Sharing tools, skills, and resources
•  Regular community gatherings such as potlucks and repair workshops
•  Supporting local food and energy systems
•  Teaching and modeling sustainable habits

🌱 2026 Sustainable Living Checklist

(Check off what you already do. Circle what you’ll start next.)

🏡 HOME & ENERGY

☐ Switch to 100% renewable electricity (community solar or utility plan)
☐ Install solar panels or support local solar initiatives
☐ Replace all bulbs with LEDs
☐ Seal drafts; improve insulation where possible
☐ Use smart power strips to reduce phantom energy use
☐ Line-dry clothes when weather allows
☐ Choose Energy Star appliances when replacing old ones
☐ Lower thermostat in winter / raise it in summer
☐ Audit home energy use annually

💧 WATER STEWARDSHIP

☐ Install low-flow showerheads and faucet aerators
☐ Fix leaks immediately
☐ Collect rainwater (where legal)
☐ Water plants early morning or evening
☐ Replace lawn with native or drought-tolerant plants
☐ Use drip irrigation or soaker hoses
☐ Reduce meat consumption to lower water footprint

🍎 FOOD & KITCHEN

☐ Plan meals weekly to prevent food waste
☐ Eat mostly plant-based meals
☐ Buy local and seasonal foods
☐ Store food properly to extend freshness
☐ Freeze leftovers and surplus produce
☐ Compost food scraps
☐ Support farmers markets or CSA programs
☐ Grow something—herbs, greens, or vegetables
☐ Track food waste for one full month

🛍️ CONSUMPTION & WASTE

☐ Refuse single-use plastics
☐ Carry reusable bags, bottles, and utensils
☐ Buy secondhand first (clothes, furniture, tools)
☐ Repair instead of replace when possible
☐ Choose refillable or bulk products
☐ Avoid fast fashion
☐ Recycle correctly (know local rules)
☐ Donate or repurpose unused items
☐ Aim for zero-waste swaps gradually

🚲 TRANSPORTATION

☐ Walk or bike for short trips
☐ Use public transit when available
☐ Combine errands to reduce trips
☐ Carpool when possible
☐ Work remotely part-time if feasible
☐ Choose fuel-efficient or electric vehicles
☐ Reduce air travel or offset flights responsibly

🌳 NATURE & BIODIVERSITY

☐ Plant native trees or shrubs
☐ Create pollinator habitat
☐ Avoid chemical pesticides and herbicides
☐ Support conservation organizations
☐ Leave part of yard “wild”
☐ Protect soil health with compost and mulch
☐ Reduce outdoor lighting to protect wildlife

🧠 PERSONAL & COMMUNITY IMPACT

☐ Learn about climate-smart living annually
☐ Share sustainable practices with friends or neighbors
☐ Volunteer locally (food recovery, gardens, cleanups)
☐ Support sustainability-focused businesses
☐ Advocate for climate-positive policies
☐ Vote with environmental impact in mind
☐ Build local resilience networks
☐ Teach children or youth about sustainability

📊 ANNUAL REFLECTION (End of 2026)

☐ Reduced household waste
☐ Lowered energy or water bills
☐ Cut food waste by at least 25%
☐ Increased local food consumption
☐ Improved connection to nature
☐ Helped others live more sustainably

🌍 Remember:

Sustainable living in 2026 is about systems, habits, and community—not guilt or perfection.
Every small shift compounds into meaningful change.