Tips for More Sustainable Living

 

 

This year Covid has made us stop and think about our practices and what we need and what makes us human. There have been struggles, the economy has shrunk, people have lost their jobs in what has the potential to become the largest recession in living memory.

 

The social aspects of what makes is human have taken a temporary beating and it does affect things such as our mental health. Humanity however has an incredible capacity for adapting, surviving and meeting the challenges of our times.

 

We have found solace in our local shops, domestic produce, many have learned new skills and have abandoned them in turn, some have begun to live more sustainable in a natural way.

 

Tips for Living Sustainably

But here are a few suggestions as to how to do this and take responsibility for yourself and your family’s footprint. In a capitalist society your choices have a direct effect on your supply chain, companies aren’t going to import Moroccan tomatoes if the market preference is domestic. So here here are a few things you can do.

 

Buy seasonally, The Vegetarian Society has a very good free online resource telling you which vegetables are in season, that way you are ridding your vegetables of unnecessary miles.

 

Buy domestic, again the main issue is the mileage, swap your New Zealand lamb for Welsh instead. Or your wine and beer, we have plenty of small breweries and orchards and have a rising amount of vineyards  for this to be a viable option.

 

Buy the best quality you can afford, it will last longer. Buying cheap can often be a false economy: leather shoes for instance can be polished re-dyed, re-cobbled and last an age. A well made shoe can last over 20 years.  Same goes for good overcoats or quality furniture. A solid wooden table could last forever.

 

Invest in wardrobe staples that don’t go out of fashion high quality oblack coat neutral blouses t shirts and polo necks. Buying vintage or from charity shops can give older items a new lease of life more than buying new. Some companies make eco clothing made from sustainable materials. Remove the stigma from hand me downs. For instance in my household there are coats that as fashions and waistlines have changed that have been worn by different family members for over 30 years and counting.

 

If you write a lot, consider switching to a fountain pen with refillable ink cartridge, this cuts back on plastic waste as ink comes in glass bottles and they’re recyclable plus you aren’t leaving little plastic pens everywhere cracked unloved and unrecycled.

 

Choose  glass, paper and cardboard over plastic where possible, jars are easier to recycle than plastic tubs and some plastic is non recyclable.

 

Charity shops are your friends, you can often buy everything you need to furnish your house well and will last until you can afford or find the things you desire decorwise. And when you’re done take them back so another family can benefit from them.

 

Buy or sell second hand items. A good quality bicycle rusting away is a waste, when you consider that a well made byclcly with a bit of care can last over 50 years.

 

Refuse plastic bags. Crochet bags or hessian sacks are strong, durable and most importantly biodegradeable. The crochet bag was used up until the 60’s and take up little space. One in each handbag or rucksack reduces the need for plastic and the 10p terror of forgotten bags.

 

Other tips

• Use eco settings on your electricals where possible.
• Keep a water butt for your garden or you can water it with bath water instead of letting that go to waste. It may be considered a bit much but in a pinch do that during a hosepipe ban.
• Refuse plastic straws or disposable cups where possible.
• Walk or cycle where mobilising locally.
• After Covid use public transport more often.

 

All these little things can help.

 

Why not put your feet up and stay a while? https://theiristribune.co.uk/blog/