It isn’t always easy being green …
Climate change, plastic waste, environmental destruction, food waste; it can sometimes feel overwhelming to think about the damage we’re causing to our planet. One thing to remind yourself of when you feel you’re not doing enough is the famous quote from zero-waste pioneer, Anne-Marie Bonneau: “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”
Most of the time, simple and easy changes in your household, the products you choose to purchase, and your actions, can create lifelong habits that will make a bigger difference than you might think.
So, as we kick off 2022, eco expert Jessica Greer from The Eco Teacher Collective has shared with Canberra Daily five easy tips on how to be a little more green in the new year.
Create habits
Small but lasting changes are the key to becoming more environmentally friendly. It’s about changing a few everyday things into lifelong habits, before moving to the next change or alternative. Picking two or three easy and inexpensive things you want to change or swap is best. Don’t take on too much at once or you may become overwhelmed, and the transition may not last longer than a month.
Sort your waste
Sorting through your waste is one of the most beneficial (and easy!) ways to help you on your journey to becoming more environmentally aware. Your waste can be sorted into three areas: landfill, recycling, and compost. Through the ‘Red Cycle’ program, you can also recycle your soft plastics at your participating local supermarket. Plastic bottles and aluminium cans can also be recycled through the ACT Government’s ‘Return and Earn’ initiative. If you also have a home composting system for all your food scraps, you’ll be surprised by how little you end up throwing into your landfill bin.
Make a list
Food waste can be a difficult issue to tackle, but one way to prevent creating unnecessary food rot is to plan your weekly meals by making a list of the ingredients you’ll need before heading to do your shopping. On the flip side, this also reduces the urge to buy takeaway if you run out of food to prepare before your next shop.
Do your research
Researching before you buy is a sure-fire way to reduce waste within your household – there’s an abundance of eco-friendly and sustainable alternatives you can swap out in your home and daily life. Some examples of easy, Australian-made, and inexpensive sustainable swaps include stainless steel pegs, shampoo and conditioner bars, beeswax wraps, plastic-free reusable safety razors, and reusable keep cups.
Plastic-free shopping
Most of us have entered the grocery store and realised we forgot our reusable shopping bags … again. One tip to helping you remember is to put them straight back in the car after unloading your groceries so they’re ready to go for the next trip. Another way to reduce your plastic waste during your food shop is to visit your local farmers market or bulk food store and purchase produce that isn’t wrapped in plastic. Most bulk food stores have the option for you to bring your own jar or container to fill with items or have plastic-free alternatives you can buy in-store.
To find out more tips and tricks to become greener in 2022, visit theecoteachercollective.com.au
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