The New Year is the perfect time to change your ways and work towards living the life you want to live. As a result, many of us will be dreaming up resolutions for the start of 2020. While the vast majority of New Year’s resolutions revolve around eating healthily or exercising more, looking at how we can improve the bigger picture is something we’d recommend.
The impact humans have, and have had, on the planet is no secret. This impact has changed the Earth’s history with plastic use and climate change just two areas that have been affected by our lifestyles to date. Things may be changing for the better as individuals and organisations become more educated about environmental challenges.
But the New Year is a great opportunity to take matters into our own hands. Live more sustainably is a great resolution to set and stick to for 2020, after all, even the little changes can make a huge difference in the long run.
Read our top tips for making your lifestyle more sustainable for 2020, and let’s work together in making the world a better place.
Alter your shopping habits
What you buy and how you buy it can make all the difference when living more sustainably. These days an almost zero waste lifestyle is possible, with more opportunities than ever to swap disposables with reusables. While we’re a long way from completely plastic packaging free supermarkets, just a few changes can help reduce plastic use within our homes.
Using reusable shopping bags instead of plastic ones is something the majority of us already do. You can also use vegetable boxes. Fill them with seasonal produce to reduce plastic use further when doing your fruit and vegetable shop at a local farmer’s market or farm shop.
Using your own containers is another option, and most delis, butchers and bakeries will allow you to take your own packaging. Finding a milkman who uses reusable bottles is another option for reducing the use of plastic packaging in your life.
Drive less and walk more
If you own a car, then leaving it on the drive every so often can reduce your transportation footprint dramatically. While we understand it’s not always feasible to walk or cycle everywhere, exploring alternative transport options could help the planet and your pocket. Carpooling is particularly beneficial as What’s Your Impact? details:
“Carpooling doesn’t just save you money on gas and reduce the stress of driving, you can also save on fuel and parking costs. Giving up your car, or driving less contributes to cleaner air and a heavier wallet. Biking and walking are two amazing ways you can get to different locations. Both of these activities are cheaper, more pleasant than sitting in a car for hours everyday. And it will improve your physical and mental health at the same time too.”
Embrace technology
In today’s technologically driven world, the latest and greatest devices have several purposes. Most individuals can’t live without their tech as a result, and unbeknown to most, technology use is the key to living more sustainably too.
We still use a huge amount of paper, but by using your smartphone or other device you can go completely paperless. Choose to have your bills and invoices supplied by email instead of via post, use your phone to compose your shopping list and other notes, and even opt to have retailers send receipts to you digitally to cut paper waste.
Choose natural materials
Fast fashion has dominated the clothing industry for many years, but we’re pleased to say things are changing. More and more people are choosing responsibly sourced materials to stock their wardrobes and furnish their homes, a movement that has put alpaca wool and other native natural fibres back on the map.
Alpaca wool is awesome for so many reasons. As well as being hypoallergenic, super soft, strong, and easy to maintain, it’s great for the planet. All the fibres used to make our scarves, throws, blankets and accessories are ethical, environmentally friendly and cruelty-free. Choosing alpaca wool and other natural materials is one sustainable must that’ll serve you and the planet well this season and every season after!