Towards the end of last year I began taking mental stock of all of the things I was currently doing to live more sustainably. Last year wasn’t great for our carbon footprint as we got married and travelled for our honeymoon, however because of my increasing knowledge of the catastrophic environmental consequences of consumerism if we don’t collectively change our ways, I started making small changes to my routine and lifestyle to reduce my impact.
Below is a list of things I did in 2020 that I will continue doing, and some new ideas for 2021.
| Steps taken in 2020 | Actions for 2021 |
Meat free Monday | Flexitarian - let’s go for 3 veggy dinners a week 🤩 |
Cut back shopping in supermarkets | Purchase meat, veg and fruit from local suppliers and producers |
Nature-based cleaning sprays | Use cleaning spray concentrates |
Hand soap refills | Find a palm-oil free shampoo |
Bulk-buy washing up liquid and washing powder | Bulk buy refill alternatives |
Planted wildflower seeds | Plant trees |
Soap bars rather than shower gel | Sustainable or no palm oil soap bars |
Bamboo toothbrush | Alternative to plastic packaged toothpaste |
Reusable makeup remover pads | Expand my ethical skin care regime |
Cut back on cheap, poorly made clothes | Opt more for second-hand items |
Bought second hand coffee maker and other items I would normally buy new | Reduce buying new as much as possible.
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This time last year, I was laughed at even suggesting a meat free dinner. But now, I can serve a veggie dinner with no issues. The key to this was not using meat substitutes, but cooking with really tasty vegetables and finding good combinations. Risotto and pasta dishes are a really good place to start!
Planting wildflower seeds and trees isn’t exactly consumption, but gardening is a really nice hobby (perhaps something you only begin to appreciate in your late twenties). As a hobby it has tons of benefits for nature and its also great for your mental wellness. You can get a lot of satisfaction out of it with a lot less negative impact compared to other hobbies or activities.
Buying second hand has become incredibly fashionable in the last few years with the revival of 90s and vintage fashion. There are loads of websites out there like Depop and more traditional sites like eBay. But, when buying second hand for certain items such as appliances, background research is definitely advised, but it can be a really good way of getting barely used items or unwanted an gift for a real bargain. My coffee maker was like new I bought it for less than 50% RRP price. Result!
If there is a garment that I want brand new, I now check out the app Good On You, it specialises in analysing the sustainability and ethics of brands and gives them a rating, so you can decide if that brand’s values are aligned with your own. It’s a really informative app, I’d highly recommend it.
What small changes have you made or new sustainable habits have you developed? Please comment or ask questions below.
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