Reduce your carbon footprint
Written by Nicoletta Moss
Photo by NeONBRAND on Unsplash
In the last two weeks, we have been talking about how to reduce your carbon footprint on earth. We have been talking in general about the 5Rs (refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle and rethink) and explained some details of why we are looking especially into the areas of Travel, Food, Consumption, Household and Social.
Thanks to all of you who have already contributed great ideas through various social media channels. To fire on further the conversation, here are some of our ideas you could be trying out. Let’s start this week with food & consumption as they both are closely linked together and probably the best entry point to this #5x5Challenge.
Food
1. Plan your meals
Try this: look into your pantry and fridge and write down the meals you see you can make, just with what you have at home. Here and there you find a loose end. No carrots for your Spaghetti Bolognese? Write it down on a separate list, which you then take to the supermarket. There, only buy what is actually on the list. You will see that you safe a lot of money through this and less food will go to waste. And don’t be scared to write 2 or 3 times a week “left-overs” on your meal plan.
2. Choose local and seasonal
Do you really need tomatoes in the middle of winter? Strawberries and cream? How delicious! But can’t you wait till they are in season here instead of choosing some which have travelled half across the world? Buy local and seasonal. Like this – everyone wins: your local economy, your budget and earth too.
3. Buy in bulk and bring your own bags and containers
A lot of countries around the world have issued laws against single-useplastic bags. This is fantastic and so important! Bringing along your own shopping bag will be most likely the easiest habit you will adapt during this #5x5x5challenge. Just do it, please!
4. Reduce meat
In our last article, we have already discussed why this is so important. Do you really need to have meat with every single meal? I guess not. And you know who else would most likely agree with me? Your body. Try it. There are so many great and easy vegetarian recipes available and most restaurants will have a meat-free option on their menu available too.
5. Compost where you can
If you are the lucky owner of a piece of land where you can plant your own veggies and herbs – I do not have to tell you this one. For those who live without this luxury, you have still the option to contribute by making sure that you sort your rubbish accordingly (glass, recycle, mixed and organic). The city (normally) will take care of the rest.
Photo by Becca McHaffie on Unsplash
Consumption
1. Consume less
How much do you actually need? Before you go out to buy just another pair of sneakers, look into your wardrobe and count the shoes you are already owning. All of them. You might be surprised how many there are. When you buy some – think about how you could combine them with different outfits or use them for different purposes.
2. Don’t buy fast fashion articles
Most fast fashion articles get produced in China or Bangladesh. This is a long way till the new T-shirt is in your home. Even more out of proportion if you only wear it for a season, where it then ends up in the landfill, because it is out of fashion or broken because of poor quality. Buy articles which are timeless and of good quality.
3. Buy vintage or recycled products
Do you always have to have a brand-new item? Ever been in a vintage shop? You might be surprised of your finds! It is just like treasure hunting. Good for earth and quite fun too.
4. Bring your own reusable bag
We talked about this already when we discussed food shopping. But bringing your own bag should not only be for your apples and veggies. Your beautiful new shoes, your cool headphones or your cooking spoon will all make it safely home in your own provided bags too.
5. Support and buy from companies that are environmentally responsible & sustainable
During your next evening walk through your neighbourhood, keep your eyes open if you find any shops who have self-made products – maybe even out of recycled goods. You will find one of a kind treasures, nobody else will have in their home. So here you can combine your shopping cravings with doing the right thing.
I’m sure you have many more great ideas of what else you can do. So, do it! Change one habit by week and stick to it. And don’t forget to share what you have done on Social Media by using the hashtag #5x5Challenge. Together we can make a great difference.
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