15 Individual Actions To Take To Live An Eco-Friendly Life27 September 2022 | Admin You only need to look at 2022 alone to prove that the Climate Crisis is no joke. So far we have experienced extreme temperatures and weather conditions and it is only predicted to get worse. Now really is the time for climate action. As insignificant as it may sometimes feel, there are so many small changes we can make to our day-to-day lives that will all amount to the ultimate goal of saving the planet. We’ve compiled a list of 15 simple actions you can take to reduce your carbon footprint and protect the environment. They might also help with the Cost of Living Crisis in the UK, so it’s a win-win. 1. Adopt a ‘zero-waste’ attitude The goal of ‘zero-waste’ is to reuse all resources as much as possible to avoid waste being dumped in landfills, incinerators or even worse, the ocean. Setting out with a zero-waste attitude will make the small, individual actions feel more achievable and like they are contributing to the bigger picture. In fact, one of our partners, the Zero Waste Club, offers a brilliant Zero Waste Starter Collection of zero waste cleaning products that will make it much easier for you to make the move into sustainable products. 2. Always use reusable containers Did you know that each year, there is around 400 million tons of plastic waste globally? Ditch the single-use plastic and make sure you never go without a reusable water bottle, coffee cup or lunch box. You’ll also save money as you won’t need to buy water or lunch every day while you’re out. 3. Don’t forget your bag-for-life How many times have you got to the till and realised you left your reusable bags at home? Try leaving them in your car or your handbag so you’ve always got one, even on a spontaneous trip to the supermarket. 4. Plan your meals Planning your meals for the week is an effective way of limiting the food you waste. This is also helpful for cutting back on spending as you can just buy the ingredients you know you’ll need. 5. Compost If you have to get rid of some food because you missed the best-before date, composting is the way to go. If you’re unable to compost at home, research where you can do this locally. 6. Take shorter showers As much as you might love a nice long bath or shower after a hard day, a quick in and out is much friendlier to the environment. See also: 7. Turn the tap off while brushing your teeth Water usage is a big one. Leaving the water running is just unnecessary. 8. Keep a recycling bin indoors If you only have a big outdoor recycling bin, it can be so easy to just pop everything into the regular bin because you can’t be bothered making the trip outside. Having a designated place for recycling next to your rubbish bin removes that barrier and encourages you to recycle as much as possible. 9. Switch it off This one is sure to help with both the Climate Crisis and Cost of Living Crisis. Leaving your electricals on standby increases your energy usage massively, and therefore, your energy bill. If you’re not using it; switch it off and unplug. 10. Install a smart meter Smart meters allow you to track your gas and electricity usage in real-time and provide readings directly to your energy suppliers. This means you can be prepared to cut back your usage and know what to expect when your bill arrives. 11. Use eco-friendly technology If it’s not broken, don’t fix (replace) it, but if you’re at the point of needing to replace an appliance, invest in the most eco-friendly versions by looking for its energy efficiency rating. See also: 12. Use LED light bulbs Reduce your energy usage AND how often you need to replace your bulbs. 13. Walk, cycle or use public transport Yes, taking your car is so much more convenient, but using public transport can massively reduce your carbon footprint, and getting outdoors is great for your mental and physical health! 14. Shop local Lower the carbon emissions used to transport your goods to your home, reduce the use of non-recyclable packaging, and support your local businesses in one. 15. Eat less meat and fish It might not be for everyone, but adopting a plant-based diet for a few days a week is so much better for the environment than eating lots of meat and fish. We hope you find these tips useful and easy to adopt in your own life to make those small changes that can make a big difference to our planet.
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