Experts say we all have to act now to push back climate change. Sarah Rodrigues has put together a list of how we can help in a typical day.
Note: I've added in some of my comments as well. And I'm lucky as my town of Bradford-on-Avon (which is now focusing on being plastic free) has Christine's Sustainable Supermarket where I can take along my own containers to get dry goods (muesli, oats, rice, red lentils, seeds, nuts and dried fruits) and liquids (washing up detergent, hand wash, shampoo and conditioner, laundry detergent, toilet cleaner). Buy eggs and they'll be in a re-used egg box, bread goes into a paper bag (one elderly male customer uses the same bag for a month). How is your town doing?
6.30am: Wake up with a wind-up alarm clock.
7.00am: Use packaging-free bars and soap (e.g. Lush) or get refills (e.g. Faith in Nature) or choose products in glass bottles (e.g. Neal's Yard Remedies and Tata Harper). Take a short shower with a low-flow head. Don't run the tap while cleaning teeth. Use recycled toilet paper.
7.30am. Coffee time? Nespresso has a recycling scheme for its pods, while better still others offer compostable pods (Eden Project and Dualit).
8.00am: Avoid fast fashion - shop your wardrobe, swap items with friends, use charity shops and shop local. Some stores have recycling schemes (M&S and H&M).
8.30am: Public transport, car-pooling, running, walking and cycling are the way to get to work. For short distances electric cars are good and there are more charging points around.
11.00am: Keep your mobile phone for longer before upgrading, and when you do recycle the old one (council run sites often now have special containers for electrical items), as they contribute to landfill from incorrect disposal.
1.00pm: Take your own lunch using leftovers, putting items into reusable containers and using washable wax-impregnated cotton squares (e.g. BeeBee Wraps).
4.00pm: Peak time for internet searching, so use search engine Ecosia, which donates at least 80% of its profits to tree-planting projects.
6.00pm: Run, walk and swim instead of using gym machines that use electricity. Wear eco-friendly kit made from bamboo (e.g. BAM Active and Asquith).
7.00pm: Home-cooked is best - cuts out delivery and packaging. Cut back on meat - we don't need large amounts and eggs, beans, lentils, soya are all useful sources of protein. Check your fridge before shopping; use up what's left in soups, casseroles, etc.); don't over-buy; don' throw away items just because they are out of date - use your eyes and nose to check as they'll often be still good to eat.
9.00pm: Consider the options: staycation in UK rather than going abroad; train travel for some overseas trips. One long-haul trip is better than several short-haul ones (most emissions are at take-off and landing) and the carbon footprint of a business class seat can be three times that of an economy one.
10.00pm: Reading in bed? Use your local library and second-hand shop.
From October, Good Housekeeping subscribers will get their copy in a paper envelope; issues with supplements at news-stands will have a paper 'belly-band'; issues with heavy supplements will move to a recyclable plastic wrapper.
Source: Your daily guide to saving the planet by Sarah Rodrigues in Good Housekeeping, September 2019
