Sustainability Without Sacrifice –10 Examples, That It's Possible Without Restrictions

Does sustainability work without sacrifice or do we all have to cut back? Many people are firmly convinced that it is not possible to live in an environmentally friendly way without sacrificing quality of life and many of the good things in life. They also fear restrictions and bans. But is it really that (bad)?

I believe that those who are the first to shout "You have to give up everything!" are actually just a little afraid of change. A change in our way of life that has become necessary in the meantime, a change that Environmental problems of our time require.

But take it easy: Sustainability does not mean that your whole life is suddenly turned upside down. On the contrary!

In this article, I would like to give you simple examples of how sustainability works without sacrifice and only requires equivalent alternatives. I will also show you why sustainability is often associated with sacrifice. Let's go!

Background: Why do many people believe that sustainability means doing without?

Change is difficult for most people. This is especially noticeable in discussions with those who suddenly come up with a cornucopia of Preconceptions about the sustainable way of life are thrown around. One of them is that you "have to do without almost everything" if you live sustainably.

This is perhaps an often heard, but poor general excuse for simply leaving everything as it is. Because sometimes a change of scenery is urgently needed.

In this case for protection our environment, to protect our health and to protect all future generations and living beings on this earth. We have been living beyond our means for so long, wasting resources, that compromises and the Change in our way of life is simply unavoidable today are.

Sudden changeover and apparent lack of alternatives create a feeling of abandonment

For many, however, this change comes suddenly and unexpectedly - and at the latest when politicians discuss and announce restrictions or bans. They believe that all the good things in their lives will now be taken away from them and their quality of life will be significantly reduced.

This is another reason for the misconception that sustainability is not possible without sacrifice. But this Worries are completely unfounded and is primarily based on media reports, which are increasingly talking about meat substitutes, more expensive air fares and electric cars.

However, many people have probably known for several decades that we need to adapt our lifestyles. Initially, the environmentally friendly alternatives for foodstuffs such as meat or everyday items such as straws are relatively rare.

No wonder, then, that the impression of abandonment has arisen over time. An impression that has persisted to this day for those who have since are no longer interested in sustainability, or only to a limited extent have

And so they have completely missed the fact that dozens of equally tasty or convenient but more sustainable alternatives on the supermarket shelves that make it possible not to have to give up the lifestyle or luxury to which we are accustomed.

10 examples of how you can live more sustainably without doing without

Here you will find the promised examples and evidence that a more sustainable life even without great effort - and without "tightening the belt" to have to - works. I will also give you practical alternatives that you can use.

1. drinking straws

"Oh come on, what's one plastic straw going to do" is something you often hear. After all Plastic straws so small and insignificant. But if 8 billion people thought this way, we would have a massive environmental problem from drinking straws alone. The EU ban since 2021 is therefore absolutely justified - and no cause for concern!

After all, anyone who plastic free life employs, white, that there is hardly an everyday product for which more environmentally friendly Alternatives availablethan for plastic straws.

Here are a few examples:

• Stainless steel straws (is available here*)
• Bamboo straws (is available here*)
• Glass straws (is available here*)
• Real straws (disposable)
• Paper straws (disposable)

A great example of sustainability without sacrifice, isn't it? And if straws aren't really that important to you, you can of course leave them out altogether.

2. coffee2go cup

In Germany, around 320,000 disposable cups consumed for hot drinks - almost three billion a year!

Is it really a sacrifice if you simply Deposit for a reusable cup that you hand in again later? Or if you have such a washable ToGo cup* and sip your favorite coffee from it?

Many Cafés even offer discounts (often 30 cents) if their customers are environmentally conscious and bring their own cup.

A prime example of the fact that you can save money through sustainability can and that environmentally friendly action is also possible without restrictions.

3. cheese, butter, yogurt, milk & co.

The vegan lifestyle is on the rise. And for good reasons health, ecological and ethical reasons.

Many people are now allergic to the word "vegan"because they fear that they will soon not be allowed to consume milk, yogurt, butter, cream or cheese. No more cheese?! That's not possible! The Vegans annoy! 😉

By the way, I personally also live vegan and don't have the feeling that I have to do without anything.

Oat, soy, rice and almond milk (you can find everything here*) are just a few of many plant-based milk alternatives.

Also Soy yogurt, plant-based butter, vegan spray and whipped cream as well as Fresh, sprinkled and sliced cheese almond-based (you can find everything here*) now fill the supermarket shelves. And new, extremely tasty alternatives are added almost every week.

Just take a look here at Velivery* for vegan alternatives and try them outinstead of simply labeling them - as I used to do.

Tip: There are so many Prejudices against plant-based substitute products - whether unhealthy, expensive or cheap imitations. In the linked article, I show you why they make no sense.

4. cling film

Another example of how you can live sustainably without going without? Classic cling film! It is used to To preserve food a little longer. A Good remedy against food waste.

But unfortunately this also creates a lot of Plastic waste. Fortunately, with flexible washable Oilcloths (is available here*) is a sensible alternative. You can simply rinse them off and use them again. Absolutely uncomplicated and a good compromise.

Tip: At Reduce food waste to find out what else you can do!

5. lunch boxes

No one is forcing you to throw away those tried-and-true plastic Tupperware containers. Instead, you should just use them as long as you can. But once they give up their ghostyou can replace them with plastic-free Stainless steel lunch boxes (is available here*) or Glass lunch boxes (is available here*) replace.

You won't feel any difference here either - but you'll be more environmentally friendly on the road.

6. burgers, schnitzel, steaks & co.

Are you "afraid of the greens" and that vegans will soon take away your beloved burgers, schnitzels and steaks? Don't worry! I still eat all that too. Only more climate-friendly and without Factory Farming and cruelty to animals.

The Burger patties made from pea protein, soy, amaranth or buckwheat (you can find everything here*) are now basically no different from their meat counterparts in terms of appearance, taste and chewing sensation. Incidentally, the latter is only so tasty because it has been seasoned accordingly.

Whether Vegetable schnitzel, ribs or Seitan steak: The selection of plant-based schnitzel and steak alternatives (you can find everything here*) is huge. So if you are interested in Vegan:inside for barbecuing If you are invited to a restaurant, you don't have to worry that there will only be a few greens on the grill and that your eating habits will be severely restricted. 😉

Tip: You find that it is is unmanly to be vegan? In the linked article I question this daring theory and show why the opposite is the case.

7. shopping bag

In Supermarkets in Australia there were riotswhen plastic bags were banned. Some customers even got violent with the staff! There was an incredible outcry, even though the ban had been announced for a long time. Here in Germany, too, many people were furious about the Introduction of fees for plastic bags.

The only thing you want Plastic waste in the environment counteract and also offers direct alternatives 🙂 Because with the classic reusable jute bag, even after a short period of use, the cheaper alternative at the supermarket checkout.

And the small thin plastic bags from the vegetable section, you can easily do this with such fruit and vegetable nets* Replace

This example shows once again that sustainability is possible without sacrifice.

Tip: The jute bag is definitely also one of the sustainable lifehacks, which already our grandparents have applied.

8th airplane

Just because flying by airplane with its Greenhouse gases essential to the Climate Change does not mean that you should never fly on vacation again. But it is important that you not halfway around the world five times a year fly.

True also a Appropriate relationship between travel distance and travel duration and only fly if it is absolutely unavoidable. To go with this, I have some tips for flying as "sustainable" as possible compiled.

Every person has a personal Climate Budget - and if we orient ourselves to it, all benefit together in the end.

Tip: Did you know that you can also offset the greenhouse gas emissions needed for your own lifestyle? You can learn more about this at CO2 Offset.

9. car

The Speed limit on freeways means an extreme cut in freedom for many people. They fear having to give up the freedom to drive as fast as they want.

But they also do without itto endanger themselves and others. To leaving your partner as a widow or widower and your children as orphans. And to blowing even more CO2 into the atmosphere, which drives global warming and has consequences for everyone - including yourself.

Nobody wants to ban driving itself either - by Electric cars and a environmentally friendly driving is only tried that Making driving more sustainable. At the same time, investments are being made in local public transport and cycle routes in cities to make the green Alternatives to the car more attractive and safer to make.

Sustainability is therefore not "woke", nor is it a mandatory renunciation, but rather a meaningful change that benefits the general public.

10. water

Mineral water from plastic bottles is incredibly tasty, so you don't want to do without it. But it is also usually with Microplastics burdened, relatively expensive and difficult to carry. In addition, companies such as Nestlé under criticismbecause they are privatizing water sources all over the world and draining entire towns such as Vittel in France.

The much cheaper, more convenient and sustainable alternative is water from the tap. To whom the Power water too boring you can "upgrade" it with lemon, mint or herbs of your choice.

Also the Sodastream for your own kitchen (is available here*) is a more environmentally friendly and cheaper alternative to plastic bottled water, which is hundreds of times more expensive.

Here, too, sustainability does not mean a major cutback. On the contrary: You also benefit from from switching to tap water.

Sustainable living without sacrifice, made easy!

If you want to live sustainably, do you have to give up almost everything? Oh come on! 😉 There may not yet be a sustainable alternative for every everyday product - but for almost all of them! Until it comes, I can also understand that it's worth it. feels like a renunciation.

But this Renunciation is then of a positive natureYou refrain from polluting the planet at the expense of your own children and grandchildren and other people and living beings.

You will always have the freedom to behave unsustainably. But anyone who claims this freedom for themselves automatically restricts the freedom of others. The fact that this selfish is to be understood. And often it's habits that aren't even really necessary that we are so passionately outraged about banning or restricting.

"The purest form of insanity is to leave everything as it is and hope that something will change."

Albert Einstein (more under Change quotes)

Do you have any questions or suggestions about this article on sustainability without sacrifice? Then, as always, feel free to write me a comment.

Stay sustainable and open to change,

PS: For further reading, I would like to recommend my Articles about sustainable consumption to the heart. You will also learn a lot from it 🙂