Have you ever asked yourself: “How can I live a more sustainable life?”

It’s such a simple question, but why has it been so hard to find the right answer?

Is it about eating less meat? A minimalist life? Or are we totally missing something?

I advocate for going green every day. Yet I feel like a hypocrite.

I sometimes eat a burger.

Sometimes I fly.

My home is not entirely waste-free.

And I could go on…

Does this worry me? Everyday…

Do I try to do better? Of course.

Does this contradict my mission? I don’t think so….

You see, I don’t think there’s something like a 100% sustainable life to be lived.

As long as we think that living sustainably is only about how we spend money, we are headed the wrong way.

Whether we like it or not, we will always have an impact with our everyday consumption habits.

Don’t get me wrong. We should do our best to consume better, less, and more green.

But there’s more to sustainability than our individual consumption!

After 10 years of working in the circular economy, and reading more reports than I can count, I developed a philosophy, that gives me peace of mind.
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Today, I want to share 9 actionable hacks that anyone can do, to live a greener and guilt-free life.

Disclaimer: this is not another: “recycle your old hair” edition.

Curious? Just read on:

9 Hacks for Greener Life

#1 Get engaged

I don’t mean to start preparing for a wedding. By far the most sustainable action we can do is to get engaged professionally, in our communities, with our friends and family.

Demand action at your workplace and politically. Start a great company, leave a bad company – that has an impact!

Over the last 365 days, my content on LinkedIn has reached 50+ million people. I think that’s impact, in comparison if I buy a plastic bottle or not.
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#2 Change your bank account

Our savings in the wrong bank can be used to fund fossil fuel exploration projects around the world. Just last year, the UK’s biggest banks gave $37 billion to the fossil fuel industry.

What can you do about it? Check your bank’s climate policy. If you want to have a positive impact on the planet, this is one of the top solutions everyone can do.
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#3 Get a green energy provider

You can be a vegan, but if your home is powered by coal and gas, your carbon footprint is through the roof. Check out your local energy providers, and get the greenest option.

Fun fact – in many places, this can also be the cheaper option!

#4 Consume less

“Sustainability is expensive.” How many times have you heard that? But has consuming less, shopping less, and traveling less ever cost us money? Living a more minimalistic life gives me peace of mind, it’s greener, and it’s good for the wallet.

#5 Eat less meat and dairy

Having 2 small kids, this one feels almost impossible for me. Every time I cook something green, and vegetarian, it doesn’t get eaten. I have a long way to go here.

I want to eat less meat and dairy not only because of the climate. It’s healthier. No to mention the animal welfare…

♻️ On my radar 1) This directive will shape Europe’s circularity 2) Call to all circular innovators from WEF’s UpLink. Apply here​ 3) Join me at Europe’s most inspiring event for circular cities ​ 4) Colgate backing down on recycling targets 5) ISOs for the circular economy are here! ​ 6) Circular economy: How ready are the German companies? ​ ​ ​

#6 Reuse, repair, refill

So many people think that sustainable life is all about recycling, sorting their trash like crazy. But they are missing the main point. The best waste is no waste.

#7 Get around by walking or bike

One of my biggest life hacks here in Gothenburg was getting an e-bike. I get anywhere around the city within 20 minutes.

I can bring my kids to preschool, and get to work in time, without feeling like I have to change my clothes to something else right after. Here in Sweden, I am a happy user of Ecoride. ​

#8 Fly less, especially short distances

Flying… I find this one hard. Not for personal reasons, I can go on holiday locally. But professionally, I do keynotes, workshops, panels, and moderations quite often.
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I always prefer to show up online. But I feel like the events industry happily forgot what Covid was, and is back in the old trails.

#9 Housing – it’s not just about the energy

The most sustainable house is the one already standing.

The most sustainable t-shirt is the one we already own.

The most sustainable car is the one on the road already.

Building a new house can have a huge impact on the climate. Just think of all the wood, concrete, glass, or steel you need.

If you have the opportunity, I believe that living in existing properties is more sustainable than buying brand-new or building from scratch.

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We all live in a society, where a fully sustainable life is super hard, if not impossible.

This can paralyze our actions. Or shift our attention from what really matters.

We focus on small (but meaningful) actions, like using reusable coffee cup, while our savings can happily fund new oil field expansion in the North Sea.

I believe it’s about perspectives.

Once we see ourselves as more than just consumers, our impact grows, and our actions can give us more meaning.

I hope these 9 hacks today can help shift some perspectives and make us focus on what really matters.

We all have a different answer to that, but in my case, it’s all about my 9-5, Monday-Fri.

That’s where I believe I can have the biggest impact, whether I sometimes eat meat or not.

What would you add to the list? Hit reply and let me know!

That’s it for this week, see ya next Saturday!

Vojta