Each new year can be a time for renewal and change and here are seven things you can start today to help make this your greenest year yet. Don’t pressure yourself to do them all immediately – if you want to just pick one or two from the list, that’s great too! Working towards a greener way of living is not about doing everything at once but instead making small, sustainable changes that can add up to make a whole lot of difference.
- Resolve to recycle (better): Yes, more and more of us are doing it these days but there is always room for improvement. Think beyond the green bin and also in terms of repurposing household items or composting your food waste. Upcycling has a had a huge resurgence in recent years and Pinterest is just one of the sites where you can access an endless stream of inspiration for your own projects.
- Choose local, organic food where possible: The global pandemic has made supporting our local suppliers more vital than ever. Why not by bypass the supermarket and instead visit your local farmer’s market this weekend? You will be amazed at the selection of produce on offer and the prices are also likely to be lower than you expect!
- Consider public transport: Vehicle emissions are one of the main causes of carbon pollution and, with more than 1 billion of them on the world’s roads at present, anything we can do to help reduce those levels should be welcomed. If it is an option for you, why not consider leaving the car at home this weekend and taking public transport instead? You might just enjoy leaving the driving to someone else for a change!
- Watch your water usage: We should all be mindful of our water use all year round (and not just at the height of summer). There are many things we can do in the home to help reduce it from turning off taps when brushing teeth or shaving to taking showers over baths. You may also consider installing a water-saving shower head which can allow you still take all those showers you love but with a much clearer conscience.
- Don’t forget to ‘power off’: Many electronic devices continue to consume power even in ‘sleep’ mode. In fact, what is known as ‘Vampire Power’ can account for up to 20% of your annual electricity bill. Read more about this and learn some handy tips to help stamp it out here.
