Easy Life Swaps For The Eco-Conscious
Here’s a list of quick and easy life swaps anyone can incorporate into their lives. These are small changes, but picking just a few will make for a more sustainable way of life AND ease your conscious.
- Replace cows milk with a non-dairy alternative
Worldwide, the production of dairy products is responsible for 4% of all greenhouse gas emissions. The level of input required to create 1 litre of milk, compared to 1 litre of a milk alternative is mind boggling, with cows requiring more land and water than say oat or soya milk.
Luckily, there are now numerous alternatives available for the avid consumer — oat, soya, almond, rice to name a few. These milks are widely available in supermarkets and with many now offering their own brands (which are often cheaper).
Tip: look out for fortified alternative milks which include extra vitamins, and try multiple alternatives before landing on your milk replacement.
2. Eat completely plant based one day a week
The meat industry is responsible for around 90% of all deforestation. Quite simply, removing trees from our planet is accelerating global warning as we are destroying the earths natural defence. But if we all reduce our meat consumption, we can help reduce our carbon footprint.
Experiment with plant based cooking, Google the vegan alternatives of your best loved meals. Some of my personal favourites are: Jamie Oliver’s Vegan Shepherds Pie, Bosh! Ultimate vegan chilli and Rukmini Iyer’s Chilli-spiked greens in coconut milk.
Tip: Rather than telling yourself you will have a meat free day, tell yourself you’ll have a completely plant based day. Psychologically you will not feel you are missing out, and instead just expanding your food repertoire.
3. Use shampoo and soap bars — trust me you’ll never go back!
Your standard shampoo and soap products come in plastic bottles, and with each of us buying plenty per household, it leads to a lot of plastic waste.
A friend of mine made the shampoo switch and swore by her new Lush shampoo bar. I admit, I was quite sceptical of this swap, but nevertheless found myself in Lush and feeling quite overwhelmed by their range.
Unfortunately my hair didn’t take to the Lush bars, but undeterred I tried another brand, and this time selected an Eco Warrior Shampoo Bar. These bars you can pick up in Sainsburys and are often on offer (£3.50 as opposed to £4.50). Although pricier than some shampoo brands, I’ve found due to the natural qualities I’m washing my hair less meaning the bars last longer.
Tip: Head down to Lush. I may not have gotten on with their range, but their shop assistants were extremely helpful. They talked me through the different products and even allowed me to return a shampoo bar to exchange for another to see if it better suited my hair type.
4. Buy reusable products
Nothing helps the environment more than moving away from the ‘throw away’ culture. There are plenty of small changes you can make such as:
- Cotton pads that once used you just throw into your wash load.
- Face masks that are washable as opposed to the single use versions.
- Travel mugs meaning no more throwaway coffee cups (and most chain coffee shops offer a discount if you bring your own mug — win win!).
- Hessian shopping bags rather than plastic carrier bags, not only can you fill more in them but they won’t break when you are half way down the street!
5. Change your energy provider
The number of renewable green energy suppliers are growing, meaning we are able to shop around for a good price from an environmental friendly utility provider.
The beauty of this swap is that regardless of the energy firm you buy from, the electricity and gas you use at home is identical. However, you will take comfort in knowing that the energy heating and lighting your home is not adding to your carbon footprint.
Tip: use a price comparison website and look out for 100% renewal energy providers.
My final tip, is to be adventurous with your swaps. Try as many alternatives as you can, break the norm and just give it a go!
