The climate crisis is making headlines around the world and the pressure is on for people to take action to secure the future of our planet. From cycling to work to eating less meat, many Brits are taking steps to reduce their carbon footprints and prevent pollution.
Businesses are also becoming aware of the impact their products have on climate change and in recent years there’s been a shift towards brands operating more sustainably. From buying clothing from eco-friendly retailers to swapping your single-use plastic bottle shampoo for a company that offers refillable bottles, a few minor tweaks could make all the difference.
Let’s explore what you can do to live more sustainably.
Clothing choices
Fast fashion retailers may look cool on Instagram but the excessive waste they produce is contributing significantly to the climate crisis. Consider choosing clothing from sustainable brands that are making a conscious effort to reduce the environmental impact of their clothing. For example, investing in lingerie sets from a sustainable company.
Experts at environmentally conscious lingerie brand, Hunkemöller have revealed what to look for when searching for sustainable retailers. These include brands that consult expert organisations to source eco-friendly materials or that have goals to reduce their carbon, water and waste footprints.
Hunkemöller recommends choosing clothes made from sustainable, recycled, or organic materials as this can help lower your carbon footprint. “Sustainable materials” refers to materials that are grown and manufactured responsibly, while protecting natural resources and human rights.
“Recycled materials” refers to materials which can be reused or responsibly recycled, extending the lifespan of the item. “Organic materials” refers to materials which are grown using processes and materials that have little impact on environmental pollution.
Check your beauty products
Many beauty and self-care products are sold in single-use plastic bottles that create unnecessary pollution when they’re produced. Switching to a brand that offers refillable bottles made from recycled materials will help reduce the impact your beauty regime has on the planet.
Soap and shampoo bars are also a great sustainable option. Hunkemöller’s data has revealed that cleanser bars tend to be made from more natural ingredients and often they can double as a makeup remover, reducing the need for additional products. With an estimated 11 million makeup wipes being binned or flushed every year, and taking up to 100 years to biodegrade, swapping over to reusable makeup pads can be an easy way to introduce sustainability into your beauty routine.
Grow your own
Food production creates vast quantities of carbon emissions, which is why growing your own fruit and vegetables is a great way to live more sustainably. It might seem like a lot of hard work at first, but once you experience the joy of eating your own home-grown produce, you’ll never want to go back to supermarket varieties!
If you don’t have the space or time for a vegetable garden, consider buying your fruit and vegetables from a more sustainable supplier, such as a farmer’s market.
Shop second hand
Another great way to reduce the strain of new purchases on both your wallet and the planet is to opt for second-hand pieces rather than brand-new ones.
There are plenty of online apps and marketplaces that can help you turn another man’s trash into your treasure whilst also saving the item from going into the landfill. Remember to try alternate spellings of brands if you’re shopping for a specific piece as it can often help to open up whole new hordes of goodies.
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