We live in a consumer world, obsessed with buying the latest phone, or keeping up with the latest fashion.
We complain about the emissions from other countries, but how much of those emissions are as a result of meeting our demand for new and shiny things? And what about when we don’t want those out-dated items anymore, or they break?
There are so many ways we can make better choices. Here are some ideas to help you make good decisions and reduce how much your lifestyle choices impact our environment:
The way we shop
Shopping has become a sustainability minefield
Back in the day, our great-grandparents often walked to the shops and bought local produce in little or no packaging.
Now we travel to the supermarket by car and buy heavily packaged products from all over the world. Or we shop online and make them come to us.
Shopping is something we all have to do. But the things we buy, and how we buy them, can add tonnes of emissions to our carbon footprint.
Here are five ways to reduce the carbon footprint of your shopping
- walk or cycle if you can – it's a zero-emissions way to travel!
- buy less stuff online – delivery to your home racks up the carbon emissions
- group your online orders – so you only get one delivery and not several
- buy local goods if possible – they don't have far to travel, so transport emissions are lower. See what I eat section if you’re interested in how your food gets to your door
- Reduce your packaging – buy from places that have biodegradable packaging or even better, no packaging! Visit places like Fleet Scoop, a local business that offers an ethical alternative to big supermarket shops
The clothes you wear
We all like to look our best, but unfortunately most fashion is bad for the environment. The fashion industry is responsible for 8-10% of global emissions. And we buy five times as many clothes in the UK now as we did in the 1980s. The environmental impact of many clothes is off the scale;
- It takes about 2,700 litres of water to make just one t-shirt!
- Less than half of clothes are reused or recycled when we're done with them.
- Clothes are more likely to end up in landfill than in a charity shop – and some charity shops have to throw away many damaged or excess items anyway!
All of this adds up to a massive carbon impact.
So why not try buying second-hand. With the rise of online selling platforms such as Depop and Vinted, updating your wardrobe at a fraction of the cost, has never been so easy and don't forget your local charity shop either. There are many charity shops in Hart that sell some great items; and often you can find something that still has the original tags on.
If you have old t-shirts that have seen better days and can't be sold-on or donated, why not make them into old rags for cleaning the car?
By the way, you might think that natural fibres like cotton and wool are better for the environment. It's true they don't degrade into microplastics, but producing them has a high carbon footprint. So if you're buying clothes made of natural products, make sure you get plenty of wear out of them!
Environmentally friendly entertaining
Are you looking for more environmentally friendly ideas for entertaining, enjoying the various 'holidays' or putting on your children's parties? From summer BBQ's and Halloween through to party bags, there are many ways to still enjoy our time with friends and loved ones, without the negative impact on the planet.
In recent years the Halloween industry has exploded in the UK; walk through any supermarket in the lead-up to this 'holiday' period and you will be greeted with a plethora of costumes and plastic gimmicks, that may only last the day! If you are good at or enjoy crafts, why not make your own costume. In the past, a good old white sheet with holes for eyes, nose and mouth did the job - just make sure it is an 'old sheet' and you won't be regretting it when you come to make your bed.
If you are hunting for a costume for your child and don't have the time or skills to create your own, you could look online at Vinted or Depop; giving a used and unwanted item a new home, or try Fleet Scoop who often have a rail full of second-hand costumes in their Fleet shop.
Friends of the Earth have come up with some great tips on how to entertain and enjoy yourself with a clear conscience and often a cheaper price tag.
If you dread the annual prospect of organising party bags, Jen Gale has some great suggestions in her blog A Sustainable Life.