7 habits you should adopt for an eco-friendly way of life
With more and more environmental problems becoming evident in our everyday life, it is clear that we have to make some changes to the way we live. And while it is true that large steps take too much effort and are practically impossible to implement, there are a few other things you can do to go green. In this article, we will explore a few of them.
Try swapping, instead of shopping
The UK sees an increase in swap shops. The industry has become a legitimate alternative to what results in £100 clothing waste that ends up on a landfill in the UK alone every year. The concept of swap shops is simple: bring clothes you don’t need any more and swap them for others. That way, you don’t need to buy new clothes that often.
Consider eco-friendly tea bags
The figures state that teabags account for over 95% of the 165 million cups of tea that people drink in the UK. And while it is true that many of the teabags are compostable, most of them only get to the biodegradable category, due to the polypropylene plastic-type that is used to heat-seal them. Switching to bio-degradable tea bags is easier than you think. Companies are already launching tea that is in polypropylene-free bags, making them 100% biodegradable.
Go smart about notes
Mastering the art of making and following to-do lists is essential for your efficiency in whatever you are doing. But instead of having to put up post-it notes all over the place, why not use your smartphone instead? There are plenty of apps that provide note function, which you can take full advantage of. As a bonus, you get the chance to share these with your partner and your family, to coordinate your efforts.
Devise a work-from-home plan with your boss
If possible, it is a good idea to work with your boss on establishing more work-from-home options. Did you know that if a million people worked from home a single day of the week, the amount of CO2 yearly would decrease by three million tons? If working from home is not possible, then consider a carpool with co-workers and friends. Lastly, stop moving by car altogether and switch to a bike or public transport.
Responsible and sustainable drinking
Drinking alcohol grown without the use of herbicides and pesticides is an excellent way to help the environment. That is why organic wine is gaining so much popularity among wine lovers. Small bars and bottle shop shelves are putting more of these on their menus and shelves. With such products, you ensure both you and the environment will have an easier time. You can also try sustainable clothing.
Reduce paper usage
Going paperless is easier than you think. For example, think about whether you need those paper bills in your letterbox every month. Instead, opt to receive them in digital format. Also, unsubscribe from the various catalogues you don’t need. It is now easier than ever to browse all the information you need online.
Bring your lunch
While it can be tempting to try out a new meal every single day on lunch break, this creates an alarming number of napkins, paper bags and plastic container waste. Instead, you should aim to bring lunch from home, as that is a more sustainable method for getting food.
Adopting all of these tips and tricks is undoubtedly a great way to become more environmentally-conscious.
