The overwhelmingly present issue of Global Warming is becoming more obvious as time goes on. With searingly hot UK summers, raging bush fires and devastating floods, it’s more important than ever to make small changes that add up to create a big difference.
The process of swapping daily tasks or products for eco-friendly alternatives can be simple. Here we count down 7 ways we can live more sustainably.
Go #PlasticFree
It’s been said that billions of pounds of plastic makes up about 40 percent of the world’s ocean surfaces. Every year thousands of seabirds, turtles, seals and other marine life is killed after ingesting plastic or getting tangled up in it.
So what can you do help? It’s almost impossible to eliminate all plastic from your life but by using reusable bags when you shop, re-usable take-out coffee cups, water bottles and straws you will certainly lessen the impact. Try to avoid buying items wrapped in plastic at the supermarket and avoid products that include micro-plastics like hair conditioners and fabric conditioners.
Think twice before buying new
Everything we buy has an environmental footprint, from where it was made, to what it is made from, and the packaging it is sent or sold to us in.
The fashion industry’s responsible for a huge consumption of water, energy, and natural resources. Production creates pollution, textile waste, micro plastics, uses chemicals and generates greenhouse gas emissions. Take a look at Our Story for more information.
On the other hand, buying second-hand clothing can help to reduce the ecological footprint of fashion. The more that we reduce our purchases, buy pre-loved, re-use our clothes and up-cycle, the less our own impact becomes.
Save water
Water is a hot topic. We recently wrote a blog on how to change your use of water when washing your clothes. Only do large washing loads. Don’t be tempted to wash a couple of bits the night before you need them, instead plan ahead and wash large loads in one go. This uses up both less water and electricity and it’ll save you money too. Air dry – rather than tumble dry!
Save water whenever you can; collect rainwater for use in the garden. Re-use your grey water (such as washing up water or cooking water) in your garden.
Don’t buy bottled water. Take shorter showers, don’t flush unless absolutely necessary, fix leaky sinks and loos and if you have to replace appliances, then get ones that have an eco-option.
Buy sustainable products
Swap plastic razors, toothbrushes and other items for alternatives. Change your deodorant to a stick and ideally one that comes in a recycled and recyclable tube.
Ditch the car
Do you really need the car? Improve the health of you and your planet by cycling whenever possible.
Driving makes up for around 20% of total emissions, which increases climate change. Using public transportation cuts down the numbers of people in vehicles and traffic on the roads.
Buy locally-sourced foods or grow your own
Don’t pop into the supermarket every time you need something as it’ll have probably been imported which increases fossil fuels usage.
Try to plan ahead and make use of the local Farmer’s Market, small high street veg shop, or even those little stalls that people put outside their own homes.
Donate unwanted items
Don’t stack up unwanted clothes in your wardrobe. Donating unused or unwanted clothes and belongings gives the items a new purpose and prevents landfills from filling up.
Donating them to a charity shop like St Luke’s Hospice means that someone else could even receive them in their b.kinda box and be delighted that they did!