Make it last

Being less throwaway helps the planet – and saves money too. But how is it done? Kim Jones finds out

Our throwaway culture means we’re using up the world’s resources too fast for it to keep up. And, according to sustainability charity WRAP (wrap.org.uk), 45 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions can only be tackled by changing the way we make and consume products and food.

That means wasting less and not replacing things unnecessarily.

Luckily, there are simple steps we can all take to prolong the life of the food we eat, the clothes we wear and the products we buy, helping the planet – and saving money too.

It’s a win win, so where should you begin?

Wash clothes less...

“Over-washing clothes wears out the fibres in your garments faster, creating holes and tears,” says Esther Knight, founder of sustainable fashion house Fanfare ( fanfarelabel.com).

“If clothes aren’t dirty but need a little freshening up, airing them on a rack and giving them a quick brush is more than enough.”

When you do pop a load on, turn the temperature down to 30c as hotter temperatures can break down the dyes in clothes.

…and opt to air-dry

“Tumble dryers cause shrinking and friction damage when your clothes rub together during a cycle,” says Esther.

So instead, air-dry your clothes outside on a washing line, or on an airer near an open window.

Cut candle-wax waste

Burning a container candle for only a short while at a time means you only melt the wax in the centre near the wick. This is called ‘tunnelling’, where the wick sinks deeper into the candle. Instead, burn it until a pool of melted wax forms completely across the surface. Your candle will last much longer this way.

Store shampoo bars better

Solid shampoo bars are a more sustainable way to wash your hair, reducing the use of plastic bottles. To stop them going soft, air-dry them after every use.

Add vodka to flowers

Flowers last longer if they’re in water free from bacteria. So add a few drops of cheap vodka to the vase to help minimise bacterial growth. A teaspoon of sugar provides nourishment. Change the water every other day.

Protect hair from fading

Hair dye fades faster in sunlight so just add a teaspoon of your favourite SPF to water in a spray bottle and spritz it on.

Get more from your mascara

Add some eye drops or saline solution for contact lenses to your mascara tube when it’s almost run out. Shake well and it’ll free up the contents stuck at the bottom.

Make fake tan last

Exfoliation is crucial, says Michaella Bolder, St Tropez tanning and skincare expert. “Ensure you remove invisible dead and dull skin cells from the skin’s surface – if you don’t, you’ll get an uneven tan that only lasts as long as these skin cells stay on the body.”

Save your salad

Take a Tupperware box, line it with kitchen roll, add salad leaves (such as spinach or kale), top with another piece of kitchen roll and lock down the lid,” says Jordan Moore, food innovation manager at Gousto (gousto.co.uk). The kitchen roll absorbs excess moisture, which will ensure the leaves wilt more slowly.

Get more growth

Store leeks and spring onions in a jar with an inch of water covering the roots, so that they keep growing and stay fresh,” says Jordan.

An apple a day

Got a glut of spuds? Pop an apple in the bag with them. The gas they produce stops potatoes from sprouting too quickly.

Get more from mushrooms

Storing mushrooms in a paper bag will keep them dry and fresh for longer. When you’re ready to cook them, place them on a sunny windowsill for 15 minutes and they’ll produce more valuable vitamin D – vital for healthy bones, teeth and muscles.

Show shoes more love

“Shield your shoes with a weather protecting spray before wearing them outside,” says Jennifer Bailey, chief of footwear brand Calla (callashoes.co.uk). “If leather shoes get wet, never use direct heat or place them near a radiator to dry as this can crack the leather upper and may harm the sole too.

“Let them dry naturally away from direct heat. Stuff them with newspaper to retain their shape.”