5 tips to go greener
Going greener is about living in a way that is not harmful to the environment and creating a lifestyle that helps protect the planet.
Sustainability events like Earth Day and Earth Week ignite conversations about climate change and force individuals and wider communities to reflect on our own actions and become more sustainable.
We recognise that we have a responsibility to reduce our impact and create a more sustainable future. Here are some small, easy, green choices that individuals, businesses and organisations can make every day to put sustainability first.
1. Transport
Transport is the single biggest emitter of CO2 in the UK, producing almost a quarter of our total emissions. Choosing to take public transport or active travel (for example, walking and cycling) can significantly reduce our emissions. Compared with driving alone, using public transport reduces CO2 emissions by 45%.
Top tip: Check public transport options before taking the car. Citymapper is a useful app which gives you transport options and also shows you where you can pick up bikes and scooters.
2. Waste
The average person in the UK throws away approximately 400kg of waste each year. Overall 26m tonnes are produced of which more than half is sent to landfill sites. Donating or recycling your unwanted goods can improve the life of items and reduce the amount going to landfills.
Top tip: There are lots of ways we can keep things from going into landfill. One resource is Freecycle where you can give and get things for free locally.
3. Fashion
Fast fashion has negative impacts both on people and the planet from using a huge amount of natural resources to exploiting workers. Did you know that buying a cotton shirt can create an equal number of emissions as driving a car for 35 miles?
Top tip: You could use Pinterest to see how you can style what you already have, rather than just buying something new. Or try swapping with and borrowing from friends.
4. Food
The foods we eat can have a big impact on our carbon footprint. Choosing fruits and vegetables that are local and in season helps to cut transport emissions.
Top tip: Try growing your own fruits and vegetables. If you do not have any outdoor space, herbs are great as all they need is a bit of sunlight.
5. Community
There are lots of people who are dedicated to creating positive change. Movements like The Climate Coalition help bring people together to tackle climate change.
Top tip: You could join a local community climate organisation. They share sustainability tips, advice and tools to help people eat better, repair broken items, heat their homes efficiently and get all the great benefits of living more sustainably.
Zellar
This article was written by Zellar, a community of people who are passionate about supporting UK businesses become more sustainable.