25+ Ways to Be Kinder to the Environment in 2016featured

2016 is here and it’s the perfect opportunity to adopt some new habits for the year ahead! If you’d like to make the world a better place this year, why not make an effort to be kinder to the environment? You don’t have to become a kale-eating, tree hugging hippy, but by adopting a few eco-friendly behaviours, you can do your bit for the world. Here are a few ideas:

Shopping

1. If you haven’t already, make this the year you embrace reusable bags. Personally, I’m a huge fan of canvas shopping bags as they’re easy to fit in your handbag or pocket, are machine washable and often have pretty patterns on them.

2. Cut back on high street shopping and embrace second hand clothes instead. Don’t be too proud to accept hand-me-downs, shop in charity shops or visit car boot sales at the weekend.

3. Where possible, avoid spending money on non-essentials.

4. Watch The True Cost on Netflix. It’s a really eye-opening documentary about the impact our clothes have on both the people that make them and the environment.

Food

5. If you find yourself throwing away lots of food, avoid buying things you don’t really need in the first place. It’s easy to get tempted by 2 for 1 offers, but there’s no point in buying two cucumbers if one of them is only going to end up going in the bin.

6. Cooked more than you can eat? Don’t throw it away. After a meal, save leftovers in a tub for the next day.

7. Instead of buying bottled water, invest in a reusable water bottle (or use a plastic one you have one already).

8. Take a look at this blog post for more than 50 ways to minimise food waste.

9. I could never go fully veggie as I’m too much of a meat fan, but by cutting down on your meat consumption, you can help to save the planet.

10. Since Can’t Swing a Cat is a money saving blog, I’d usually advise against buying hot drinks from coffee shops on a regular basis, but if you’re unwilling to say goodbye to your latte addiction, consider buying your own reusable coffee cup and handing it to the barista every time you need your caffeine fix. Most coffee shop attendants will be only to happy to fill up your own cup.

Work

11. Take your lunch to work each day? Try to avoid using clingfilm or food bags when wrapping up your sandwiches. Instead, embrace lunchboxes, takeaway containers, and ice cream tubs. Washable food bags could also be worth a go.

12. Encourage your colleagues to bring in an unwanted item of clothing each and take them all to your local charity shop. I did this recently and ended up with about 10 bags of fantastic donations.

13. Set the printer to print on both sides.

14. Take the stairs instead of the lift.

15. If you like the idea of working from the comfort of your own sofa while wearing your pajamas, ask your boss if it’s possible to work from home from time-to-time. Some employers will instantly be against the idea, but remote working is on the rise and many bosses are starting to see how it can benefit business. Not only can it reduce fuel consumption, it can also save business energy costs and boost employee happiness and productivity.

Home

16. Decorating? Fill your home with thrifted and upcycled pieces of furniture rather than brand new pieces. Not only is this approach a great way of being green, it can also save you money and give your home a unique touch.

17. Instead of writing notes on stray pieces of paper, stick a miniature whiteboard on your fridge so you and your housemates can leave notes for one another. Friendly notes, obviously.

18. Ditch the drier and hang your clothes from a washing line instead.

19. Avoid using kitchen roll to mop up spillages. Use dish cloths instead.

Life

20. If you’re having a cosy night in binge-watching your favourite show on Netflix, it can be tempting to put the heating on high. However, save cash and the planet by turning the heating down or off. Dig out your favourite onesie, carry your duvet to the sofa, and stick a couple of pairs of socks on. Also make sure the heating isn’t turned on when you’re about to go to bed or leave the house.

21. Instead of just putting your laptop to sleep when you’re finished with it, turn it off completely.

22. If you buy magazines, give them to a friend or donate them to a local doctor’s surgery once you’re done with them. Also consider donating old newspapers to animal shelters.

23. If you love to read, why not set yourself the challenge of only buying charity shop books for a whole year? Have a Kindle or e-reader? Make use of it.

24. Avoid charging your phone overnight.

Health and Beauty

25. Go make up free. Often filled with chemicals and toxic ingredients, the majority of cosmetics have a negative impact on the environment. Beauty product packaging usually ends up in landfill and when we wash our faces at the end of the day, the chemicals used in our cosmetics are pumped into lakes and streams where they can harm marine life. Even if you wear make up one day less each week, you’ll be helping!

26. Squeamish? Look away now. Whether you flush ’em or bin ’em, the sanitary products you use are likely to end up in landfill where they will stay for years and years. If the sound of this makes you feel a little sick, consider using reusable sanitary towels rather than disposables. Even if you just wear reusable towels overnight, you’ll still help to reduce the amount of sanitary products sent to landfill.