6 ways to be more environmentally friendly

People's awareness of environmental issues such as global warming and plastic waste is rising and being spoken about more than ever, especially post-pandemic. As we have all seen the positive impact less travelling and polluting has had on the environment throughout the pandemic, it's more important than ever to continue our efforts to be more sustainable.

Because of this, we have put together 6 ways we can all improve our efforts of being environmentally friendly.

1. Use green cleaning products

One of the main problems with general cleaning products is the harsh amount of chemicals that they contain. Instead, most green cleaning products are made with naturally derived, safe, non-toxic, and biodegradable ingredients. Not only is this drastically better for human health, but the ingredients are also less damaging to the environment.

2. Buy a reusable water bottle

It is already well talked about that plastic bottles are extremely bad for the environment. Due to the oils used to create them and the fact that they are not biodegradable, plastic bottles can take up to 500 years to decompose. This means they’re left to accumulate in landfill, risking toxins leaching into the ground. By purchasing a reusable bottle, it will help cut down and replace the plastic bottles that would have been used in its place.

3. Use shampoo bars

Similarly to plastic water bottles, shampoo and conditioner bottles are massive contributors to plastic waste. Luckily, it is now possible to buy plastic-free shower products with shampoo and shower gel bars. The liquid is removed, leaving you with a soap-bar consistency. The average shampoo bar will also last 2-3 times longer than the bottled version due to being more concentrated, meaning it’s saving you money, too!

4. Switch off!

An easy way to reduce our environmental impact is by ensuring we turn off appliances that we aren’t using.  British Gas has reported that UK households could save an average of £75 per household each year by turning off electronics often left on standby. So, before leaving the room, do a check of what can be switched off and save money and the environment!

5. Change to a green energy supplier

Most of the UK's energy is created by burning fossil fuels, which, when burned, releases carbon dioxide into the air.  This greenhouse gas traps heat in our atmosphere, causing global warming. As well as damaging our wildlife and environment, these fossil fuels are also having a seriously detrimental effect on our health.

There is an alternative to fossil fuels, and that is green energy. This is electricity and gas generated from renewable sources like wind and solar power rather than fossil fuels, and there are lots of affordable green energy suppliers to choose from. When it’s time to switch your electricity and gas supplier, it’s worthwhile using a price comparison site to research the cheapest green energy supplier for your home.

6. Where possible, buy and eat local

Although smaller stores and restaurants can be slightly more expensive, they are more likely to purchase their stock from local sources, meaning it will be healthier and fresher due to it being in contact with fewer pesticides, hormones, and other chemicals. Because of this, food will be more likely to last longer and save money on replacing gone-off items.

Supermarkets are also reported to throw away enough food for 190 million meals each year. More often than not, this food waste will end up in landfill where the food will rot and degrade. It then emits harmful gases such as methane, which traps heat in the atmosphere.

If you have items you'd like to recycle but aren't sure on the best ways to do so, we'd be happy to advise you; please contact us here.