“We must realize that when basic needs have been met, human development is primarily about being more, not having more.”

– The Earth Charter

After years of exploiting Mother Earth, most of us have now understood the importance of protecting our natural resources. We are now aware that living an eco-friendly life is the way to a better future. Harming the environment will ultimately leave us nowhere, even though it might give us momentary happiness.

You would be surprised to know that the choices that we make every day not only affect the environment but also the climate and other species. Believe it or not, our individual actions matter. They are not insignificant in the grand scheme of things. Communities around the world have understood that adopting sustainability practices is key to building a better future not only for ourselves but also for our future generations. It is no wonder that most of us are all collectively taking steps to reduce our environmental footprints.

Let us look at some lesser-known ways in which diverse communities around the world practice sustainability. This way we can learn new methods and implement them in our daily lives, doing our bit in creating a greener future.

Editor’s Note: This article highlights diverse global sustainability efforts rooted in traditional knowledge and community action. It contains no sensitive or graphic content.

Food Forests and Earthbag Homes Transform Communities

In Costa Rica’s Alegria Village, they grow food forests, mixing crops like cacao and bananas to save water and enrich soil, like a retreat’s zero waste garden I saw. Thailand’s Gaia Ashram uses earthbags, soil filled sacks, for cheap, eco homes, similar to a bamboo cabin retreat. Sweden’s Angsbacka hosts no money festivals, bartering skills, like I swapped vetting tips for a meal in Peru. Try a local barter or small garden to start real, not trendy.

Chris Brewer, Managing Director, Best Retreats

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Local Solutions Build Sustainable Communities Through Trust

One of the most interesting things I’ve seen in global sustainability is how deeply local solutions can be. In parts of Indonesia, for example, communities use “subak,” a centuries-old water-sharing system that’s not just about irrigation but also about balancing ecology and economy. It’s managed democratically, which keeps both rice paddies and relationships thriving. Closer to home, I’ve come across urban neighborhoods transforming alleyways into communal gardens, compost hubs, and even solar-charging stations. It’s grassroots innovation meeting real need.

Sustainability, when it sticks, usually starts with shared ownership. Whether it’s a water system in Bali or a garden in Chicago, it works when people feel like they’re building something together. These models don’t always grab headlines, but they’re powerful because they scale through trust and habit, not just tech. That’s something I keep in mind when advising companies on long-term strategy. Sustainability isn’t just about the right solution, it’s about making sure people have a reason to care and a role to play.

Neil Fried, Senior Vice President, EcoATMB2B

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Global Communities Lead With Simple Sustainability Solutions

We spend a lot of time thinking about sustainability, not just in terms of energy, but in the way communities around the world are quietly leading by example. In Japan, for instance, there is a small town called Kamikatsu that has made headlines for achieving nearly zero waste. They separate their trash into more than 40 categories and reuse roughly everything. It’s not flashy, but it works. In parts of India, communities are reviving ancient water-harvesting techniques to combat droughts. These centuries-old systems were nearly forgotten, yet they’re proving more reliable than some modern infrastructure. In Copenhagen, shared rooftop gardens are cultivating food and fostering community bonds in a city renowned for its climate leadership. Even in the US, towns are experimenting with microgrids to power neighborhoods more sustainably and independently. What all these examples show is that sustainability doesn’t always look like cutting-edge tech or big announcements. Sometimes, it’s about local knowledge, shared effort, and making wise, simple choices that add up over time. That’s the kind of thinking we value. Solar is just one piece of the puzzle, but it’s an important one that helps everyday people take action right at home.

Robert Roth, CEO, Quote For Solar Group

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Everyday Wisdom Powers Global Sustainability Success

In parts of India, they build entire homes out of mud and cow dung—not just cheap, but naturally cooling and zero waste. In Japan, “mottainai” is a mindset around not wasting anything—people repair, reuse, and repurpose like it’s a sacred duty. Kenyan communities are turning plastic waste into bricks tougher than concrete. And in Sweden, there’s a thing called “plogging”—jogging while picking up trash. None of it’s flashy, but it works. Sustainability doesn’t always look like solar panels—it’s often just old-school wisdom done consistently.

Justin Belmont, Founder & CEO, Prose

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Ancient Practices Deliver Modern Sustainability Results

In Venezuela, we reused everything. Not because it was trendy, but because it was necessary. That mindset shaped how I approach work and decisions today. Sustainability isn’t always about systems or technology. It’s about people using what they have with care, purpose, and discipline.

In rural Kenya, homes are built using compressed earth blocks. No lumber. No concrete. Just soil, pressure, and sunlight. The result is stronger insulation, lower cost, and less environmental strain. In the Philippines, worn-out fishing nets are repurposed into baskets and wall insulation. Waste becomes function. In the Andes, sheep wool is used for everything from clothing to roof layers and food storage, minimizing reliance on synthetic materials.

In Portugal, communities trade used cooking oil for public transport credits. That keeps oil out of the sewage system and fuels city buses. The process is simple, but the impact is measurable; cleaner water, lower fuel demand, more engaged citizens.

These aren’t experiments. They’re habits passed down and adjusted over time. They work because they’re built around respect; for materials, for labor, for the environment. People in these regions aren’t talking about sustainability. They’re living it daily, often without recognition.

Real sustainability doesn’t require a full reset. It requires doing more with what you already touch. That’s where lasting change starts.

Shantell Moya, Business Owner, Roof Republic

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Community-Run Systems Create Lasting Sustainable Impact

Community members operate utensil banks for public gatherings like weddings in many rural areas of India.  Families borrow stainless steel dishes and return them clean, avoiding single-use plates and cups.  By using this approach, waste is reduced and disposable alternatives are avoided.  Neither corporations nor governments are in charge of it.  It is run by locals who wish to cut down on rubbish and save money.

Repair cafes are funded and staffed by volunteers in Sweden. People bring in broken electronics, furniture, or clothing, and skilled neighbors help fix them. The focus isn’t just on reuse. It’s on sharing knowledge. You walk in with a broken toaster and walk out knowing how to fix the next one. This model keeps materials in circulation and builds local trust.

Small markets use refill stations for cooking oil and detergent in Nairobi. Shoppers bring their own containers, pay by weight, and avoid plastic packaging. It works because people value low costs and don’t need extra branding or waste. These practices don’t rely on technology. They rely on human cooperation and consistent habits. As a marketer, I’ve seen that systems like these grow when they’re simple to explain and easy to repeat. That’s what makes them sustainable.

Alec Loeb, VP of Growth Marketing, EcoATM

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Ancient Farming Methods Reveal True Sustainability Wisdom

One of the most eye-opening sustainability practices I encountered didn’t come from a documentary or a corporate ESG report. It happened during a private ride service I arranged in Xochimilco, Mexico City, where I met a chinampero who still uses a 1,000-year-old method of farming on floating islands. There were no tractors or chemicals involved—just mud, native plants, and ancient techniques that turn organic waste into rich, fertile soil.

Working in high-end tourism, I’ve come to realize that true sustainability often exists on the edges, in places where people never had to “go green” because they never left that way of life to begin with.

Over the years, I’ve learned that sustainability often isn’t flashy or obvious. It’s not always about solar panels or electric vehicles. Sometimes, it’s the quiet restoration of rainwater cisterns in Oaxaca or a Mayan community creating a tourism model that shares benefits across every family, not just a single business.

We don’t necessarily need to reinvent sustainability. More often, we just need to listen to the people who’ve been practicing it all along.

Martin Weidemann, Owner, Mexico-City-Private-Driver.com

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Traditional Knowledge Enhances Modern Environmental Stewardship

One lesser-known sustainability practice I’ve seen is how some coastal communities in Indonesia use traditional seaweed farming combined with local ecosystem restoration. They don’t just grow seaweed for income; they carefully time harvests to protect marine biodiversity, which helps maintain fish populations naturally. Another example comes from rural Japan, where villages practice “satoyama” — a centuries-old method of managing forests, rice fields, and waterways together to create a balanced environment that supports both people and wildlife. These practices show sustainability isn’t just about high-tech solutions but also about deep respect for nature and long-term stewardship. They remind me that blending traditional knowledge with modern awareness can offer practical, low-impact ways to live sustainably, even in a changing world.

Nikita Sherbina, Co-Founder & CEO, AIScreen

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Practical Habits, Not Trends, Drive Real Sustainability

Sustainability shows up when people make the most of what they already have.

In the Philippines, people reuse rice sacks as roofing during storms. They’re waterproof, strong, and easy to find. No extra packaging, no supply chain delays, no waste. In rural Mexico, families cook with mud stoves they build themselves. These use less wood and produce less smoke. The design is basic. The impact is direct. Less wood burned. Less harm to health.

In Bhutan, farmers rotate crops and use cow dung as compost. No chemical fertilizers. No runoff into rivers. The soil stays productive year after year. It’s not about big data. It’s about knowing what works. In Amish communities across the U.S., barn raisings still happen. Neighbors build together, using reclaimed wood and hand tools. No subcontractors. No piles of wasted material. It’s efficient because it has to be.

You don’t need a million-dollar budget to make sustainability work. You need habits that respect materials and time. What do you throw out after one use? What tools in your garage could be fixed, not replaced?

Look beyond trends. Look at what people are doing when no one’s watching. That’s where real progress lives.

Patrick Dinehart, CMO, ReallyCheapFloors.com

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Communities Unite Through Sustainable Living Practices

Communities promote sustainability through initiatives like community gardening, where members grow fruits, vegetables, and herbs. This provides fresh produce and cuts carbon emissions by reducing the need for food transportation.

In some areas, eco-villages focus on living in harmony with nature, using renewable resources and minimizing waste and energy use. These communities often adopt techniques like passive solar design, rainwater harvesting, and composting to create sustainable environments.

There’s also a growing trend toward zero-waste living, where people reduce waste by using reusable containers, composting, and choosing products with minimal packaging. Zero-waste communities are emerging, with residents working together to promote sustainability and reduce waste in their neighborhoods.

Michael Yerardi, Founder & CEO, Turning Point Home Buyers

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Green Roofs Deliver Multiple Environmental Benefits

A lesser-known approach to sustainability embraced by communities is the implementation of green roofs. Green roofs involve covering rooftops with vegetation, which not only adds aesthetic value but also provides numerous environmental benefits. These include reducing heat absorption from buildings, improving air quality by absorbing pollutants and greenhouse gases, as well as providing habitats for wildlife.

Geremy Yamamoto, Founder, Eazy House Sale

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