A new year means fresh beginnings! And there’s never been the start to a year where environmental issues have been so prominent. With that in mind why not add a few practices to your routine to help do your bit for the planet?
We’ve compiled a list of ideas and thought-starters that might inspire you to live an even better eco life, and more cost effectively.
In the kitchen
- Know what’s in your fridge before you shop . Avoid double-ups and look in your fridge and write down what’s there – before you shop.
- Fresh is best. Plan your meals by the food that needs to be eaten first, so it doesn’t go to waste.
- Buy less than you think you need. It’s habit to buy what you think you need, only to have leftovers, or unused food when there’s an unplanned takeaway.
- Challenge use-by dates. If it looks, smells and tastes ok, it’s most likely fine to eat.
- Have your food home delivered. The advantages to this include you (and everyone else who’s food delivery is on board) taking one less car trip. It also avoids impulse buying that can lead to food waste.
- Use eco-friendly cleaning products . Many products are made with harmful chemicals that aren’t environmentally friendly. They can also be harmful to the health of you and your family. Look for cleaning products that are natural (like SimplyClean!)
Tips for using less emissions and energy
- Cook meals in your microwave (not ready-made meals ). Microwaves are much more energy efficient than conventional ovens.
- Adopt the ‘30-minute rule’. If your destination is 30 minutes or less, walk. Great for your health and fitness, too.
- Wash your clothes in cold water. Hot water can lead to five times as many greenhouse gases.
- Work from home. Ask your workplace to allow you to work home for 1 or 2 days a week.
Beauty hacks
- Ditch the disposable razor. Use an electric razor or a good ol’ fashioned safety razor.
- ‘One of each’ make up bag. That’s one of everything you use every day, plus a few extras for special events – but no more. Once one is finished, buy another – don’t stock up ‘just in case’.
- Use the right amount of moisturiser. Or cleanser, or toner – we often slather it on without knowing it. Read the label – it’ll save you money as well.
- Use every last drop. Cut the end of tubes – you’ll at least a few more days’ worth this way.
- Ditch the cotton pads. Cotton soaks up more product than needed. Put toner in a spray bottle and spritz your face instead.S
- Say no to micro-beads. These small bits of solid plastic can be found in some face scrubs, body washes and toothpastes. They aren’t biodegradable and make their way into watercourses and ultimately end up damaging the environment.
Take the eco-challenge
You possibly employ a few of these tips. But if you’re looking to improve your environmental footprint, why not choose, say, 5 of them and discover how easy it is to make them part of your everyday life. Little things make a difference…