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If you think about the scale of the problem when it comes to repairing the extensive damage to our planet, it can feel really overwhelming to know where to even begin to make a change. We want to make it better for our children and our children’s children but what can you, one person, one family really do that will make any difference? It can feel like too large a scale problem when we are constantly bombarded with images of litter strewn beaches and seas clogged with plastic. Luckily though there are small things we can all do to make a difference that won’t impact much on our lives and will really add up if we all do it. This is a paid advertorial for SaveMoneyCutCarbon
Replace: Swap out your old light bulbs with LED ones. It can be expensive for the initial outlay but the life span of an LED light bulb means that it will be a very long time before you need to replace them, (25 years in some cases!) and they will also save on your electricity bills as they waste less energy and emit less heat. Above are a few of the vast selection SaveMoneyCutCarbon have on their website and one of the big benefits of joining their monthly subscription club is that you get guaranteed low prices and they will even refund the difference if you find the same product cheaper. Read more about what we think of the SaveMoneyCutCarbon club here.
Recycle: We are lucky enough in the UK to have a fairly good recycling system, we just need to use it! It requires a short amount of time sorting the recycling into different categories but I’ve found children can be very useful here, and are often very keen to be involved now there is such an emphasis on environmental impact at school nowadays. Stretchy plastic can go to some supermarkets in their plastic bag recycling bins and if you have any other plastic that can’t go in, have a look at eco bricks. Last month I talked about repurposing your recycling in the garden as planters too.
Reuse: Your plastic bags can be reused multiple times and then recycled in some supermarkets, along with any stretchy plastics like bread bags. We also have so many reusable shoppers now, the trick is to make sure that I remember to take them to the supermarket, there are alway a few in my car boot just in case! (And then remember to take them out of the car!) Another great tip is to get some large laundry baskets to keep in the boot and pop them in your trolley to use. This works particularly well if you use the self scan option. If I’m on my bike or walking, I tend to take a rucksack so I don’t need bags from shops and it’s much easier to carry home.
Swap: Have a look around your home and see where you can make small swaps for the plastic items you have. Wooden toothbrushes, recycled sponges or brushes for washing up, soap and shower gel bars, once you start looking, you will notice more and more disposable items you are sending to landfill and start to find alternatives you can exchange them with. If you join the SaveMoneyCutCarbon Club they send you a box of eco friendly swaps to get you started and there is a whole lot of ideas on their site.
At a time when our children are coming home from school telling us that they are worried, when their awareness is heightened and they feel fearful for the future these are just a few of the many ways that you can make a difference with some very minor tweaks to your everyday life. Reassuring for them that you are all doing your bit and great for the planet in general! I don’t want it to be overwhelming as it can feel like a lot when you are trying to implement multiple changes at once so I’ll be keeping it short and sweet and sharing some more tips and ideas over the coming months in manageable chunks.
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