Being more environmentally aware does not mean you need to be part of an activist group or need to make major compromises on your life. Here's some simple ways to be more green...
Use cloth bags for shopping
It is far more beneficial for the environment to use reusable cloth bags for shopping than plastic ones. Cloth bags are sturdy and can be used for years. They can be cleaned and are multifaceted in their use. Keep a reusable cloth bag in your handbag so you never have to get another 5p plastic bag again.
Recycle
The most obvious way to be more environmentally conscientious is to recycle. Check your local council's website as they will have full details on what they will recycle and this is the easiest way to start. Separate everything into the right bins and on collection day, they will be taken to the recycling plant. For me, my local council provides residents with four bins; one for mixed recycle, one for paper and cardboard, one for food waste and one for household waste.
Regift, sell, donate unwanted gifts
Next time you receive an unwanted gift, make it work for you. Do you have anyone in your life who would appreciate the item more than you are? If so, you can save money and regift the item to the person. You're killing two birds with one stone. Can't regift? Consider selling on; you can use EBay, Shpock, Vinted to name a few second hand selling apps. If you don't have anyone you want to regift to or you are short on time and don't want to sell online or via apps, then you can think of donating the item. Bottom line is see if you can get some use of an unwanted item by giving it a new home before discarding.
Turn switches off
Turn off electrical appliances and lights when not in use to reduce the use of non-renewable resources that are harmful to the environment. Turning the switches off at the wall is essential to ensure there is less damage caused to the environment.
Shower, don't bathe
Opt for a shower over a bath. An average bath takes up to 36 gallons of water whilst an average shower uses 5 gallons of water.
Recycle plastic bags
A lot of people do not realise that plastic bags can be recycled. Larger supermarkets have a bin where you can throw your plastic bags in for recycling.
Walk or cycle wherever possible
Wherever possible walk or use a bike to get to places. This reduces the carbon emissions emitted from your car. Also provides you with a lot of additional health benefits.
Eat less meat
There is a lot of data to show that reducing meat in your diet can help reduce carbon emissions and help the environment. There is a lot of literature on this; however as I hate to tell people how to live their lives and also am a meat eater, I will leave a link to an article by Greenpeace which explains fully the benefits of reducing meat in your diet.
Stop food waste
Food waste can also contribute to damaging the environment. When food goes into landfill, a large amount of methane is produced. As food rots and degrades, the gases produced are 25 times more harmful than carbon dioxide. If it's possible, throw out any food waste (includes banana peels, egg shells, fish bones) into a food bin which the council will be able to recycle. Food thrown into food bins can go to become fertilisers in farms. If you are not able to throw out food into food bins, you could reduce the amount you buy so there is likely to be any food waste. If however, you are only able to buy in bulk, the freezer would be your best food.
Recycle coffee cups
A few years ago, I learnt that paper coffee cups cannot be recycled due to the wax paper or plastic interior that is used to hold the liquid. However, since 2016 Costa has found ways to do some recycling and they have been encouraging customers to bring in their used cups to the store. You don't necessarily need to take a Costa cup into a Costa store; they are happy to recycle any paper coffee cups you have.
Bamboo coffee cups
Instead of using paper coffee cups, it is far better to use a reusable one. There are many types you could buy. I really like the bamboo coffee cups as they come in different patterns and sizes. Also once you are done with the cup (in a decade or so), you can recycle the cup, just include it in your mixed recycle bin. Bamboo trees are able to grow really fast. Within a day, it can grow between 3 to 4 feet and so investing in a bamboo cup is definitely a more environmentally sound decision.
Go paperless
A single tree can go to produce 17 reams of paper. This results in around 110lbs of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere. Wherever possible, go paperless. The internet is great resource that you can tap into instead of getting a manual or a how to guide. Of course, keep the essential documents- passport, birth certificate, qualifications, etc..
Recycle batteries
There is a lot that goes behind a battery and so it is important that these get discarded properly. Batteries that get discarded in the normal trash can leak and is hazardous. Worst case scenario a fire could take place from a leaky battery. Once you have used up your batteries, take them to a store for recycling. Legally any shops selling more than 32kgs of batteries per year are obliged to provide customers a battery bin for recycling.
Flush the right things in the toilet
Unfortunately, many people use the toilet as an extra trash bin and they use this to discard things such as sanitary pads, wet wipes, condoms, dental floss etc..This then clogs up the pipes and leads to water pollution. The toilet is meant for bodily fluids and toilet tissue. Anything else goes in the bin.
Zero Waste Stores
Zero waste stores are a great way to buy everyday household items without getting the extra packaging that inevitably comes with products. You will need to take your own containers to the store, weigh the empty containers, then fill up the container with whatever you want to get (coffee beans, pasta, rice, soap, etc.), the container is weighed again and you will pay for the quantity of the items you are getting. Zero waste produced. Zero waste stores are not widely available so worth checking out if there is any near you.
Reusable cotton pads
By opting reusable cotton pads over disposable ones, you are reducing the amount of waste you are producing and therefore causing less damage to the environment.
Beeswax wrap
Do you make a sandwich for work, which you wrap in disposable foil paper only to make a new sandwich the next day to wrap up in a new piece of foil paper? Use beeswax wrap instead. These can last up to a year; they are biodegradable and once they have been used up fully, they can be recycled.
Stop buying bottled water
There is absolutely no reason to buy bottled water if you are living in London. The water that comes to our taps is safe, clean and is far better to consume than bottled water.
Drain cooking oil properly
Cup of tea?
When making a cup of tea or coffee use as much water as you need in the kettle rather than to fill it up. Using an excess amount of water for one cup uses more electricity to run. This costs more and is also more damaging to the environment.
Second hand shopping
I knew someone a few years ago who was vegan but made the exception to wear leather if it was bought second hand as that was not directly encouraging the leather industry. Also, second hand shopping is a great way to reduce carbon emissions that go into making a new piece of garment.
Use LED lightbulbs
Standard LED bulbs can be up to 80% more energy efficient than conventional bulbs, and waste far less energy
Repair before discard
When a garment has a tear in it, fix it before discarding it. We live in somewhat of a throwaway age, meaning more gets added to the landfill, which is not great for the environment.
Support local businesses
By supporting local businesses, not only are you helping your community develop and thrive but you are also being more environmentally sound. Supporting local businesses reduces environmental impacts from long-distance transportation, shipping, and storage.
Recycle old electrical items
Old, unusable electrical items should not be discarded in normal household waste. Instead, these should be taken to a recycling point. Check if your local council offers this service (they really should be) otherwise, take electrical items to a Curry's store near you and they will recycle your old electrical appliances.
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