It is becoming more apparent that people in society are becoming more aware of how their day-to-day actions are affecting the world we live in. From how we dispose of household items to the brands we use, every decision we make has an impact on the planet.
People often feel overwhelmed at the thought of adopting a completely different lifestyle, when in fact you can make small, simple changes to your lifestyle that can still have a positive impact on the environment.
So, what can you do to become more sustainable?
In today’s blog, we have curated some top tips on how you can integrate some sustainable practices into your life that have a lasting benefit to Earth!
Cutting back on Single-Use Plastics
Plastic pollution is currently one of the most damaging problems our planet currently faces. Unless we all begin to take urgent action, it is estimated that there could be more plastic in the sea than fish by 2050. Cutting back on our plastic consumption is vital to the future of sustainable living. Not only does reducing your plastic consumption help save money, but it also helps reduce carbon emissions that are released during the manufacturing of plastics. Some ways you can reduce your plastic usage are:
- Using reusable shopping bags
- Bring your bottle
- Use stainless steel straws
- Say no to plastic cutlery
By starting to incorporate some of the above tips into your daily lifestyle, you can help reduce the damaging impacts of plastic pollution.
Recycling Household Items
Whenever we are finished with an item and throw it away, more often than not it ends up in a landfill, where toxic materials can flow into the ground or CO2 emissions can be released into the atmosphere. It is estimated that out of the 26m tonnes of waste produced in the UK each year, only 12m tonnes are recycled, with the rest heading to landfill.
Recycling household items can have huge benefits on the environment, as it can help reduce the harmful effects of landfills on the planet and instead turn old products into something new. If you are unaware of how to recycle properly, there are plenty of ways you can learn how to:
- Check with your local council on the best recycling practices in your area
- Learn about local community schemes such as recycling drop-off points or buy-back centres
- Check to see where you can donate unwanted items in your local area
An even better method of becoming a recycling expert would be to make a conscious effort to purchase products that are recyclable friendly or that are made from post-consumer recyclable materials.
Conserve Water
Water is viewed by many as an infinite natural resource, however, this seen to be a basic necessity is becoming scarcer, and we must act now to help preserve this vital resource.
Although approximately 70% of the earth is made from water, only a mere 0.025% is available for drinking access, making it a rare resource. Conserving water is one of the easiest things we can do from our homes to help protect the sustainable living. Here are some of the things you can do to help:
- Turn off taps when not in use
- Reduce your shower times
- Run your dishwasher and washing machine only when full
- Add water-saving devices such as low-flow shower heads to your home
Conserving your water consumption can be managed easily and effectively, which can help have dramatic impacts on saving this precious resource.
Our future depends on everyone playing their part and coming together to help reduce our environmental impact. By following some of these simple steps, you will help shape the vision of a sustainable future into a reality.
For more tips on how you can adopt a more sustainable lifestyle keep an eye out for part 2 of our blog!