Taking sustainability to the next level

 

 

So you do naked fruit and veg, reuse and recycle everything possible, you meal prep to reduce food wastage, you have cut your single-use plastic consumption in half…..now what?

 

Here are my five tips to take your sustainability journey to the next level:

 

• Make things from scratch – learn to make the basics such as bread, sweets, cakes etc. There are some really easy recipes out there such as soda bread and minimal ingredient cakes that reduce stress and time. And it’s going to be a lot cheaper and healthier for you.

 

 

• Write those letters to local MPs and companies – a lot of companies are going to be regulated and will need to look at what they are doing to provide supplies for certain markets. So why not encourage and spur on those companies you buy from regularly and do some research into what they are doing, how they are improving, and how they are transitioning sustainably. If you don’t like it, boycott their products/brand and write them a letter.

 

The same goes for local MPs. Ask them how they will ensure sustainability in the local area and what infrastructure they will invest in. Write to them and ask. Encourage them to set up a composting station or a community garden if one isn’t available. Get creative, do some research, and identify areas where more could be done.

 

• Consider and take a deeper dive into where you invest your money. What do I mean? Have a look at the bank you use, the superfund, and other investment platforms and see what they are investing in. That’s your money they are investing so make sure it aligns with your values and is green in your eyes. Have a look and do some research and if you aren’t happy with what they are doing, maybe consider changing….

 

 

 

• Start a swap, trade, mend, and make do with your family, friends, and communities. We all have the power to change how things work. So perhaps you need a specific tool for a project, save buying and ask your extended network to borrow it. If you have a friend who’s great at mending, then don’t throw those clothes out, give it to a friend and swap the service with chocolate. I am that friend who can mend, so hint-hint, I wouldn’t mind some free chocolate. On Facebook, some communities have an ‘un-consumer’ group, I love mine. I can get anything from plants to furniture and more by swapping some lemons grown from my tree. It’s a win-win for all.

 

 

 

• Second-hand everything. Appliances? Consider second-hand. We live in a throw-away society where products aren’t made like they used to be; hence they regularly break allll the time. A very smart tactic for how manufacturers make money. Again, it all comes down to money. Buy second-hand and when it does break, make sure to recycle those raw materials.

 

The main element to consider when taking your sustainability journey to the next level is thinking about the lifecycle of what you have. Those pair of pants you own, where will they end up? I know I can send it to a recycling material plant so that’s a positive and good thing.

 

That packet of chips, the packing is not recyclable so it will go straight to landfill. Creating a mindset like this is good (and bad sometimes) when you purchase items. I always do a loop inside my head when picking up an object, thinking like; 'where will this end up?', 'is it recyclable', 'can I re-use it', 'do I really NEED it?'. Trust me, it sometimes takes me 2 hours to do grocery shopping as I am assessing the packaging of everything I pick up and if I can make it instead.

 

These are just the tip of the iceberg in ideas and changing your mindset to assist in transitioning your sustainability journey. Regardless, appreciate and care for what you have and I encourage you to think about ‘closing the loop’ and create a circular economy in your community.