10 Practical Tips on How to Promote Sustainability Daily (2025)

This post and the photos within it may contain affiliate links. If you purchase something through the link, I may receive a commission at no extra charge to you.

---

Living sustainably in a wasteful world is tough. If you’ve ever tried to reduce your waste while living with people who don’t seem to care about the environment, you know how frustrating it can be.

But instead of trying to force change, you can learn how to encourage people to be sustainable in ways that feel natural, non-judgmental, and even fun.

In this post, I’ll show you how to promote sustainability among your friends, family, or partner, through real, everyday actions that work.

These 10 strategies come straight from my own journey, plus some tips on what not to do (so you avoid burnout).

10 ideas to encourage others to be more eco-friendly:

1. Show, don’t tell

Sometimes, the best way to encourage people to be sustainable is by showing – not telling

Bring your bags. Shop secondhand (and show off all the cool & cheap stuff you found). Compost. Use a reusable bottle. Separate your trash.

When people see how easy these things are, they’re way more likely to follow your lead. By living up to your values, you can influence your friends and family, or at least spark some interest. 

This is the most effective way to promote sustainability without ever saying a word. Your actions will speak louder than telling others what to do.

2. Highlight the perks

People care about saving money, saving time, and staying healthy. And guess what? Sustainable living can help with all of that. For example, mention that it’s easy to save cash by:

• Swapping paper towels and wet wipes for reusable cloths
• Ditching single-use items (menstrual cups, razors, etc.)
• Buying secondhand instead of new
• Making your cleaner with vinegar + citrus peels

Related post: How To Save $5,337 A Year By Going Zero Waste

3. Make it easy

A big part of how to promote sustainability is lowering the barrier to entry. Most people aren’t resistant – they’re just overwhelmed. You can bridge that gap by making it easy:

• Set up labeled recycling bins
• Bring extra jars or containers when going out
• Offer to split bulk items
• Share what works for you in a friendly way

Eco-friendly swaps feel less intimidating when someone else makes the first move.

4. Take the first step

Want your roommates to compost? Set up the bin. Want your family to use fewer plastic-wrapped veggies? Offer to shop together at the farmers’ market.

Show them where you can buy various goods, plastic-free or package-free. This is a great way to show that it’s simple to change a few habits. If you remove the friction, people are more likely to give things a try.

5. Start a conversation

You can’t expect others to know what you want without asking. Talk with them and clearly explain how important it is for you, and that you’ll appreciate it if they are more mindful of some of their habits. Try:

“I’ve been trying to waste less – would you mind helping out with recycling?”

No shaming. No lectures. Just open dialogue. That’s how to encourage people to be sustainable in a way that actually lands.

6. Remind that small actions matter

Many people think their impact is too small to count. However, learning how to promote sustainability means helping others see that every bit counts. Show them that their actions are important, too. For example:

Statistical data found that the average American produces over 4.4 pounds of garbage per day. 

Let’s assume 10,000 people will read this blog. Out of this number, let’s say 50% (which is 5000 people) decide to reduce their waste by JUST 25% (which is very doable):

• 5000 people x 1.1 pounds reduced (25%) x 365 days = 2 007 500 pounds of trash. 

This is just a quick example showing that you don’t have to go crazy about reducing your waste. We can collectively make a pretty big difference, even if you reduce 25-50% of your trash.

People often think they are too small to make a difference. Also, remind them: every habit has a ripple effect. 

A single person can do a lot by simply spreading the message. When I started being more mindful and reducing my waste, I started having an impact on friends and family who didn’t think too much about their waste before that. 

7. Share powerful facts

A well-placed stat can stick with someone. Try a few of these:

• Only 9% of plastic ever made has been recycled. (1)
• Humans consume up to 52,000 microplastics a year. (1) 
• Plastic takes up to 500 years to decompose.

These kinds of facts aren’t about scaring people – they’re about raising awareness. When someone sees the bigger picture, even small lifestyle changes can start to feel more meaningful.

8. Be patient

Change takes time. I remember how long it took me to build new habits when I first started this journey. So if someone’s never thought twice about their trash before, they’re going to need time to adjust, too. Be patient, and supportive, and know that their path might not look like yours.

9. Encourage easy changes

When I started, I didn’t know where to begin. So I started small: a reusable water bottle, cloth towels, and refusing plastic straws.

Once I got the hang of it, I felt more motivated to do more. Suggesting easy swaps helps people ease into the lifestyle and feel good about their progress.

10. Find a support system

Sometimes it feels like no one around you gets it. That’s where a community comes in. If there’s nothing local where you live, consider starting a group or just chatting with a few like-minded friends.

Sharing your struggles with others who are going through similar things can be very reassuring. You will see that you are not alone, and a lot of people have similar struggles.

What *NOT* to do

Here are a few things I’ve learned don’t work:

1. Don’t try to “make up” for others’ waste

Trying to compensate for someone’s wasteful behavior can only make your life more stressful. Don’t take problems that are not yours; your responsibility. If someone isn’t willing to change, it’s not your job to clean up after them.

2. Don’t be pushy

People don’t like being told how to live. If you pressure or force someone, they’ll likely show more resistance to it – even if your intentions are good. Focus on you, and better try to show that being more eco-friendly can be fun, easy, and doesn’t have to be all or nothing. 

3. Do not tell them what to do – share your experience

Dry information and stats won’t always inspire someone to change. While I like to use it sometimes, it is not always useful. Telling a story or your experience about certain things can make you more relatable. Instead of “you should compost,” try:

“I started composting last year, and I was shocked how much less trash I had.”

Personal stories feel relatable – and more effective. This small shift in language is part of how to encourage people to be sustainable in a way that feels human, not preachy.

4. Don’t waste your energy on people who won’t listen

Some people won’t be interested in even the slightest effort. And that’s okay. You can’t influence and encourage everyone. Just accept that, and move forward. Focus your energy on those who are curious or open. You’re not responsible for converting everyone.

Final thoughts

Understanding how to encourage people to be sustainable isn’t about pushing an agenda. It’s about leading with empathy, offering practical tools, and making eco-friendly living feel doable.

Lead by example, offer help, and plant little seeds along the way. Some will grow. Others won’t. But either way, you’re already making a difference.

Now, it’s your turn:
Have you ever tried to promote sustainability and encourage others to be more sustainable? What worked – and what didn’t? Share your story in the comments below.