SUSTAINABLE ECONOMIC THINKING

You might think that living in a sustainable way is an expensive luxury, but it doesn’t have to be. A sustainable money challenge can be as simple as cutting down on waste and single-use items, or being more mindful about where you spend your money. If something’s broken, try to repair it rather than replace it. Here are a few ideas of sustainable challenges to get you started.

Start composting

Composting is a great way to remove food scraps from your waste. Don’t pay to throw them away – let them compost and have another life in your garden. When we started composting, I discovered that at least half our waste was coming from food scraps.

It’s very easy to start composting. If you don’t want to buy a brand-new compost bin, look for a secondhand one or just make your own. All you need is a corner in your garden (if you have the space) – just ensure the compost is covered and protected from pests.

Read up on composting, and then when it’s ready you will have beautiful, rich soil you can use to grow your own veges.

Grow your own food

Composting leads perfectly to growing your own food – this, too, does not have to cost much. If you have space for a garden, mark it out and turn the soil. You could have pots or raised veggie beds, or even pick up an old, lead-free bathtub to grow your plants in. You don’t even need to buy seeds from the shop – many of the fruit and veges you are already buying at the supermarket will have seeds you can use.

Use eco-transport

I am a bit of a sucker for electric cars. They make sense financially but are also great for the environment. I don’t own one yet, but I can see one very clearly in my future. For now, I: