How do you encourage others to take more eco-friendly steps in daily life? Some tips

By: Leanne Italie, The Associated Press Posted: 10:31 AM CDT Wednesday, Mar. 26, 2025

NEW YORK (AP) — How do you get those around you to recycle, drive less, use less plastic and otherwise live more sustainably?

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NEW YORK (AP) — How do you get those around you to recycle, drive less, use less plastic and otherwise live more sustainably?

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This article was published 26/03/2025 (569 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

NEW YORK (AP) — How do you get those around you to recycle, drive less, use less plastic and otherwise live more sustainably?

“Getting the people we live with to adopt more sustainable habits can be tricky, especially if they’re not already on board,” said Silvia de Denaro Vieira in San Francisco. She’s the co-founder of the home management app Coexist, which helps families collaborate at home.

In addition to leading by example, she has these suggestions:

FILE - A runner grabs a bottle of water at the athlete's village prior to the start of the 116th running of the Boston Marathon, in Hopkinton, Mass., on April 16, 2012. (AP Photo/Stew Milne, File)

— Pick your battles and start small. “Focus on pointing out one habit — like composting, reducing single-use plastics or taking public transit — and build up from there,” she said.

— Frame sustainability around the other person’s priorities. “If they don’t care about sustainability, focus on what they do care about. Many eco-friendly choices also save money, cut down on clutter or make daily life more efficient. For example, meal planning reduces food waste and saves money.”

— Make it easy. “Small shifts like keeping reusable bags in the car or setting up a simple recycling system can make sustainable choices feel automatic rather than like extra work.”

— Respect the other person’s boundaries. “If someone is resistant to a particular habit, it helps to take a step back and focus on what’s working rather than forcing the issue. Sustainability is a long game.”

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The Associated Press’ climate and environmental coverage receives financial support from multiple private foundations. AP is solely responsible for all content. Find AP’s standards for working with philanthropies, a list of supporters and funded coverage areas at AP.org.