A year on and we’re still in the grips of the pandemic. We’re living in uncertain times and nobody knows when or if things will ever go back to normal. One of the best ways to cope with uncertainty is by setting long-term goals. As well as thinking about personal and career goals that you want to achieve you should also consider the green goals. If anything, COVID-19 has taught us is that the world is precious.
Climate change activist Greta Thunberg has issued a stark warning that we need to take immediate action to save the planet from environmental catastrophe. Coronavirus has turned the world on its head. But she believes there are lessons to be learned from the crisis and we should treat climate change with the same urgency.
We all have a part to play in saving the environment from destruction. Here are 7 simple hacks that will help make your daily life more sustainable:
Swap plastic for a reusable water bottle
Sir David Attenborough’s Blue Planet II revealed how discarded plastic items are ending up in the world’s oceans and are causing the deaths of over a million animals each year.The programme was a real eye opener, and it has kickstarted many initiatives across the globe to reduce plastic pollution. For example, from 2021 McDonalds has pledged to remove plastic toys from all its Happy Meals and has already reduced the amount of plastic used in its packaging.
We all have a part to play in saving the planet. You too could reduce your plastic footprint. One of the simplest ways you can do this is by swapping single-use plastic water bottles for a reusable water bottle. There are lots of reusable water bottles on the market at reasonable prices. They come in various styles and can be made from a range of different materials such as glass, stainless steel and re-usable plastic. As well as the environmental benefits stainless steel bottles are also great for insulation – keeping your water cool for longer!
You can go green with SIM only deals
We throw away 50 million tons of electronic waste each year. That’s the equivalent of 350 cruise ships! A frightening statistic and it will only get worst if we don’t act now. Mobile phones are one of the many discarded electronic items that are found in landfills. They often contain harmful materials such as PVC, arsenic, lead and phthalates so they mustn’t end up there. SIM only deals are one of the many recycling options available that help reduce the number of mobile devices being discarded.
Keep your old phone and use it for longer instead of throwing it away every time your contract comes to an end and your due a new upgrade. Do you really need a new phone? Do you really want to pay all that money each month? By reusing your old phone with a SIM only contract you can help save the environment and also save money.
SIM only are cheaper options than monthly mobile phone contracts. The unlimited calls and texts that the big networks offer can be tempting. But some of the best SIM only deals include these same incentives at a much lower cost. Check the best sim only deals Lebara offers.
Reduce your carbon footprint by setting up a carpool
The UK government has vowed to reduce carbon emissions by 68% by 2030 and become net zero by 2050. We all have a part to play – government, businesses and individuals. One of the ways you can reduce your carbon footprint is by setting up a carpool.
Find colleagues who live nearby you then form a carpool together. There are different ways the carpool could work. For instance, you could either have a designated driver or you could take it in turns to drive. Either way, you’ll be reducing emissions and saving money by splitting the fuel costs. You could even go a step further and set up a carpool karaoke like James Corden. However, your work colleagues might not appreciate you belting out Britney Spears first thing in the morning.
Try the 10X10 fashion challenge
If you’re on first name terms with the ASOS delivery driver then it’s time to try the 10X10 challenge. Speaking at the London Fashion Week fashion icon Vivienne Westwood said “buy less. Choose well. Make it last. Quality, not quantity. Everybody’s buying far too many clothes.” We should all be following her advice. Stop investing in fashion. Start investing in the world.
The 10X10 challenge is a great way to build a more sustainable and stylish wardrobe. So, what is the 10X10 challenge? Basically, it’s wearing different combinations of the same 10 items of clothing for 10 consecutive days.
It’s entirely up to you what 10 items you pick but make sure you have a good selection that covers all bases. You don’t want to be walking to the shops with bare feet! One combination could be:
- One jacket
- Two pairs of shoes
- Four tops
- One dress
- Two pairs of jeans
So, what are you waiting for? Pick out 10 of your favourite items and get adventurous!
Go paperless
Paper manufacturing requires huge amounts of energy and water, contributes to air pollution and waste problems, and causes deforestation. Paper accounts for 25% of the waste in our landfills and when it rots it releases methane gas which is 25 times more toxic than CO2!
400 million tonnes of paper is consumed each year. That’s a lot. Worldwide consumption of paper has grown by 400% in the last 40 years and shows no signs of slowing down. One of the ways you can help reduce paper pollution and waste is by going paperless. Take advantage of the latest technologies like tablet devices and smart phones. There are lots of things you can switch from paper to digital such as bank statements, calendars and tickets.
Use a tote bag
We can’t emphasise enough the devastating impact that plastic pollution is having on the world’s oceans. As well as using reusable water bottles another way you can help reduce plastic pollution is by swapping plastic shopping bags for tote bags. Not only do these bags for life help the environment but they also save you money. These are sold everywhere so it’s easy to pick one up and they come with pretty cool designs and fun mottos.
Green cleaning
Get your house smelling fresh and sparkling clean without the plastic and toxic chemicals. Make your own cleaning products with environmentally friendly ingredients such as vinegar, baking soda, lemon and essential oils. You can find lots of recipes for DIY cleaning products online that will only take a couple of minutes to make.
Green is the new black. Make 2021 your greenest year ever with these simple life hacks. Our planet needs you!
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