Everyday Tips To Be More Eco
We asked our team at EcoStardust HQ to shed some light on the steps that they take to be more eco-friendly. We also asked our lovely followers on Instagram to share what they do on a day-to-day basis to protect our planet. Here's the round-up.
Cut Out Plastic Bags
We’ve all been there. You’ve nipped out to your local shop and you’ve forgotten to bring a bag. Classic! Instead of turning yourself into a human cornucopia, keep a tote bag folded away in your coat pocket or bag at all times.
Another good tip from our followers is to grab all of your previously used plastic bags and roll them up into tiny triangles using the ‘samosa method’ and keep a couple stashed away in your pocket or purse.
Switch to Reusable Kitchenware
You gotta stay hydrated but why not bring a water bottle to work instead of using single-use plastic bottles? You could even bring your metal straw for extra eco points.
Sophie uses reusable vegan food wraps as an alternative to cling film.
Pack a Lunch
Packing a lunch means that you save money and time. It also means that when you pop to the sandwich shop, you aren’t having to bring back unnecessary paper plates, plastic bags or cutlery.
Clothing
Shop Vintage
You can't beat a bit of old school glamour. Shopping in vintage stores mean you can freshen up your wardrobe without costing the environment. We are blessed in Bristol to have some of the best vintage shops in the land, such as Loot Vintage, RePsycho and Thrift Bristol (to name a few!) Happy hunting!
Shop Ethical
Shopping from independent ethical clothing retailers not only helps indie shops but also the planet! We are all huge fans of Lucy & Yak at EcoStardust HQ and all crowd around a screen when new items drop!
Not only are their dungas beautiful, they also make sure that all employees are in the chain receive their fair share and their packaging is 100% recycled and plastic-free. Your clothes also come in a gorgeous bag made from off-cuts to reduce waste.
Make Do and Mend
Instead of buying new because you’ve lost a button or created a rip, grab your sewing kit! Kath mends a rip in her jacket by sewing on a snazzy new patch over the top. Good as new!
Choosing a More Eco-Friendly Energy Provider
Switching your energy supplier to one that’s 100% renewable is a great eco-friendly tip for any home and suppliers such as Bulb and Ecotricity even invest in carbon reduction projects.
Be More Mindful of Your Usage
Turn off your tap when brushing your teeth and turn off the lights when leaving a room. Use the 10 minute rule. Ask yourself: are you going to be out of the room for 10 minutes or more? If so, flip that switch!
Food
Cut Down On Meat and Dairy
Researchers at the University of Oxford found that cutting meat and dairy products from your diet could reduce an individual's carbon footprint from food by up to 73%.
If you aren’t quite ready to go cold tofu, try reducing your red meat consumption as this will go a long way. You could always try opting for meatless Mondays or choosing a milk alternative instead of cow’s milk in your cereal and tea.
Shop Locally or Sign Up To A Veg Box
You’ll be helping out your local community, you’re also getting fresher produce and local fruit and veg shops usually use a lot less plastic than a supermarket.
Riverford Veg Boxes also uses 77% less plastic than your local supermarket and they reuse their boxes up to 10 times. If all their customers returned their veg boxes, this would save almost 22,000 trees worth of cardboard each year.
Waste Food
Waste not, want not. Apps like TooGoodToGo give you reduced prices on your local restaurant’s waste food.
Transport
If it’s possible to make the journey by foot, bike or via public transport, do it!
Driving can really add to your carbon footprint but if you’re carpooling though, this is a better alternative as it means fewer cars on the road — which ultimately means less carbon emissions.
Donate Your Guilty Glitter To Our Non-Bioglitter Amnesty
This gives the traditional glitter a new lease of life as glitter made from microplastics never biodegrades into the environment and ends up harming marine life and our planet.
The amnesty consists of members of the public sending EcoStardust their non-biodegradable traditional glitter — in exchange for a 15% discount to use online — which is then repurposed into sparkly jewellery using Rochfort Customs’ recycled resin from their surfboards. Find out more here.
