what more can we do for our planet?

Sustainability is an ongoing conversation in 2022, and at the centre of this discussion is the question, what more can we do for our planet?

There are several ways to measure your sustainability: for instance, how big is your carbon footprint? How much non-recyclable waste does your household produce? How much fast fashion do you buy?

How do you measure sustainability in your life? Here are our top 5 tips for taking care of the planet and being your most sustainable self.

  1. Investigate Charity Shops

Charity shops have been around for years but have recently come into vogue following the birth of the ‘fashionable’ online second-hand retailer Depop, and its market for second-hand designer goods.

Through charity shops, you can occasionally find some bargains on the high street for a fraction of the retail price or even stumble across a campaign to inspire you to clear out your wardrobe.

For example, Marks and Spencer run a ‘shopping’ scheme in conjunction with Oxfam, where you can swap your Marks and Spencer branded donations for vouchers.

  1. How Much Food Do You Waste?

One way you can reduce your food waste production is to plan and budget your weekly shop. This way, you will not easily be swayed by impulsive purchases, and when you buy exactly what you need, you will avoid creating spoiled leftovers that have to be thrown away.

You can also sign up for food waste prevention apps like TooGoodToGo, which incentivises selling off food from major outlets such as Greggs and Starbucks for a reduced price.

This reduces how much fresh produce is disposed of at the end of every day due to food hygiene laws.

Online Learning

  1. Take Your Education Online

Enrolling on a remote learning programme is an excellent way to reduce your carbon footprint.

Studies have shown that e-learning reduces an individual student’s energy usage by a staggering 90%, and results in 85% lower CO2 emissions than face-to-face learning.

Whatever your interests are, there’s something for everyone. For example, ARU has an Advanced Midwifery Practice MSc available for those with an interest in training as a midwife.

  1. Try Going Meat-Free

As the meat and dairy industry is responsible for 14.5% of the world’s climate-changing gases, more people than ever before are dropping meat in favour of meat-free alternatives.

If you’re unsure about going meat-free completely, you can always try making the small switches first. You could try switching out your milk or butter for dairy-free alternatives first as a trial.

London Bus

  1. Use Public Transport

By using public transport instead of your car and purchasing a season ticket on the bus, train or tram networks, you could save money when compared with fuel costs for running your car. It’s also a great way to save on your carbon footprint.

How do you try and be more sustainable? Answer in the comments below!