BE A LITTLE BIT GREENER
A few small tweaks to your day can make a big difference in saving the world we love, says Ella Dove
A few small tweaks can make a big difference in saving the world we love
When it comes to saving the planet, it’s all too easy to be passive. Like many of us, I watched Sir David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II and lamented the state of our oceans and yet, the next day I bought a coffee in an unrecyclable cup – without even acknowledging I could be part of the problem.
It’s not that we don’t care about our natural world. It’s that we don’t think. We’re slow to connect the dots and recognise the ramifications of our day-to-day living. The future of our environment, of climate change and of our ever-depleting food chain is a weighty issue. We tell ourselves it’s out of our control, but it isn’t. Small changes can be just as meaningful and effective. As Attenborough said, ‘the future of all life now depends on us.’ I’m starting by ditching the coffee cups. What about you?
1 TAKE AWAY THE GUILT
Every year, roughly a third of all food produced is wasted – but it doesn’t have to be that way. Olio connects neighbours with each other and with local businesses so that surplus food nearing its sell-by-date or groceries left in your fridge when you go away can be shared, not chucked. And for a takeaway with a difference, the Too Good To Go app allows you to order and collect food from local restaurants that would otherwise be binned. Visit olioex.com and toogoodtogo.co.uk
2 SHARING IS CARING
Freecycle.org is a grassroots non-profit movement that allows you to give away unwanted items to people who can use them. It’s free to sign up, and there’s no limit on what you can offer – from old bikes to home appliances to clothes.
3 GROW AND LEARN
Saving the planet can be as easy as surfing the web. Use search engine ecosia.org like Google and its ads will generate income which is then used to plant trees across the world – as well as the seeds of knowledge.
4 DISCOVER A NEW CHAPTER
Instead of binning books, why not send them on a new adventure? Whether you post to a specific person or leave them for a stranger to find, bookcrossing.com aims to spread the love of reading across the world, one page at a time.
5 STAY IN SEASON
The increase in imported goods means we’re used to seeing all fruits and veg available all year round. By shopping according to the seasons, you’ll enjoy better quality produce, reduce your consumption of chemicals and enjoy the nutritional benefits of freshness. Visit seasonsapp.com
6 SWAP TIL YOU DROP
Every year in the UK, we buy around 2 million tonnes of clothes and throw away 1 million tonnes. Host a clothes swap event – also known as ‘swishing’ – and you can replace your wardrobe with a new one, for free. Visit getswishing.com
7 AS NATURE INTENDED
The number of schemes and websites for organic, ecofriendly produce is on the rise – and it’s never been easier to eat fresh for less. Farmdrop.com delivers vegetables grown to order, and sites such as wonkyvegboxes.co.uk and oddbox.co.uk reduce food waste while helping farmers – because looks aren’t always everything.
8 GO PAPERLESS
Banish irritating junk mail for good by unsubscribing from unwanted leaflets and flyers. Registering with the mailing
preference service (MPS) is a useful way to remove your name from unsolicited mailing lists. Visit mpsonline.org.uk
9 BUY FOR LIFE
Resisting throwaway culture is an eco-friendly approach and will save you money in the long term. Buymeonce.com showcases items that will stand the test of time – from Le Creuset dishes to pens that never run out.
10 COFFEE WITH A CONSCIENCE
Many chain cafes – including most branches of Starbucks, Costa and Pret – will give you a discount for bringing a reusable cup to be filled. Every penny counts!
11 HAND IT DOWN
Buying less, but buying better should apply to kid’s clothes too. Icelandic brand As We Grow, a collection of Peruvian knits, and tunic and trousers in pima cotton and linen, was born from the idea that children’s clothes should be hard -wearing, sustainable and timeless so they can be passed down to siblings and friends. Visit aswegrow.is
12 FREE DRINKS!
275,000 tonnes of plastic are used each year in the UK – that’s around 15 million bottles each day. To reduce your usage of single-use plastic, download the Refill app to discover friendly cafes, bars, hotels, galleries, restaurants, banks, museums and other businesses near you who are happy to fill up a reusable bottle with tap water for free. Refill.org.uk
13 LET IT GROW
We’ve all discovered a slimy bag of salad at the back of the fridge. Try growing your own instead. Lettuce, herbs and miniature fruit plants are all easy to maintain – in a garden, on a balcony or even in a window box.
14 CLEAN AND MAKE-UP
Have you ever considered what’s in your make-up? The Think Dirty, Shop Clean app is an easy way to learn about the ingredients. Download the app and scan the product barcode to find an easy-to-understand list of chemicals that will help you to make cleaner choices. Thinkdirtyapp.com
15 GREEN SHOPPING
A lot of businesses claim to be green but how many really are? House of Fraser is, for one. Not only do they have a head of sustainability, they have also committed to all their own-brand fashion and homewares being made from sustainable materials with better working conditions for the makers by 2022. They also support the Prince of Wales’s Sustainable Cotton Communiqué.