How To Be More Sustainable In Daily Life

Cut down on food waste

UK households reportedly waste over 4.5 million tonnes of food each year. Although this number is decreasing (we waste 7% less food per person than we did in 2017), it is still a problem we can collectively tackle by being more conscious of the food we buy. 

The most wasted food in the UK is potatoes, as we throw out 5.8 million whole ones each year. Making sure we keep potatoes in a cool and dry place will increase their life, and incorporating them into our meals saves them from being thrown out. Our vegan caramelised onion and potato pierogies, our vegan potato and red onion pizza or our vegan potato gratin provide midweek inspiration for any raw potatoes leftover from your Sunday roast.

Reduce, reuse, recycle

It’s easier than ever to do these three things. Go paperless with your mail, reuse any plastic bags, gift wrapping, or any glass bottles, jars and containers that you have. And, recycle wherever you can with our handy guide. You can now recycle pizza boxes, and cardboard with grease stains — our efficiency with recycling is always growing, so take advantage of it!

Reduce energy use

This consists of small habits that can save a lot of energy annually. Use energy-saving light bulbs and consider replacing older appliances like kettles and dishwashers with newer ones that are more energy-efficient. 

You can also install a smart thermostat, which will only use energy in the rooms you occupy. It saves energy and saves you money too. Turning down your thermostat by just a couple of degrees will also make a difference, and just like your family members say — just layer up!

Create an indoor herb garden

One of the easiest ways to shake up any meals is to add fresh herbs. However, bunches of herbs are often sold in supermarkets in plastic packaging, with a use-by date of less than a week of purchase. It is economically and environmentally much better to buy a plant of coriander, for instance, than to buy a packet every time you shop. They’re easy to maintain, and even the most notorious of accidental plant killers will find their herbs looking in great shape. Maybe branch out into a chilli plant once you get the hang of it— and if you’re really keen, why not start a vegetable patch in your garden? 

Explore your local farmer’s market

Getting fresh produce locally is a great way to cut down on food miles incurred from importing foods into supermarkets. It also means you buy food that is in season, which is better for the environment and more sustainable than mass-produced fruit and vegetables found in grocery stores. It makes a nice day out, and also helps with regenerating the local economy. A win-win!

Donate, sell, rent, and shop second hand with clothes

Being more conscious of where you buy your clothes from is an easy way to be more sustainable. Branch out more into second-hand clothes and accessories. Making an effort to avoid fast fashion and looking for more sustainable clothing can be an accessible way of making your shopping habits greener.