In one survey, more than half of all respondents said that they were actively trying to live a more eco-conscious life. With global warming, plastic pollution, and deforestation all becoming major problems for our planet, this is good news. But, rather than 59% of people living sustainably, we need 100%! 

If you think your lifestyle could be made a little greener, we’ve put together some easy tips to help you get started. Dive in and join the eco-revolution. 

1. Only Buy What You’ll Use

Humans generate a shocking amount of waste. The average person in the UK creates about 400 kg of rubbish every year, most of which ends up in landfill. To save our limited resources, reduce your carbon footprint, and cut down on how much rubbish you add to our landscape, only buy what you know you’ll use. This applies to everything: food, beauty products, clothes - you name it!

Only purchase if you have serious intent to use the product, and try not to buy more than you need. If you’re doubtful that you’ll get enough out of it, look for less wasteful alternatives. For example, if you only need one stick of celery but a pack contains six, head to a grocer where you can buy individual sticks to avoid throwing any away.

2. Switch to Bamboo Toothbrushes

A super simple switch you can make is ditching plastic toothbrushes for bamboo ones. Every plastic toothbrush you’ve ever used is still sitting somewhere on this planet, be it in a landfill or deep at the bottom of the ocean. But, if you use a bamboo toothbrush, it’ll decompose naturally over time, which is far more sustainable. They also look beautiful in the bathroom, which is an added bonus.

3. Brush Up On Your Recycling

Recycling is a fantastic way to go greener. Not only does it prevent rubbish from ending up in landfill, but it also reduces our need to harvest more raw materials. 

Here’s a list of materials that you can recycle at home to get started:

• Cardboard
• Office paper
• Envelopes
• Newspapers
• Magazines & journals
• Junk mail
• Clean food and drink cans (steel & aluminium)
• Plastic bottles
• Shredded paper
• Clear plastic film/pallet wrap

Brush up on your recycling and make it as easy as possible for anyone in your house to recycle - place your recycling bin is next to your general waste for ease. 

4. Switch to Renewable Electricity

Renewable electricity releases fewer fossil fuels and isn’t a limited resource, making it a great choice to power your life. But if you don’t have the money to install solar panels, don’t worry! You can still use green power by switching to a renewable electricity provider. These companies use wind, solar, and hydroelectric sources to bring cleaner power to homes around the world. 

5. Look For Zero-Waste Shops

Zero waste shops are popping up more frequently as demand increases. These (usually) independent stores stock a wide range of plastic-free products. You can refill your jars and pots with non-perishable food - like oats, pasta, and lentils - saving on packaging completely, and often find plastic-free household products, too. Show your support for the sustainable movement and make your day-to-day more green by shopping at them whenever you can. 

6. Ditch Bottled Water

If you’re not a big fan of tap water, plastic bottled water isn’t the next best thing. Around 13 billion plastic water bottles are chucked away every year in the UK alone, and only around half of these are recycled. 

Rather than adding to the problem, try a filtered water bottle instead. You can fill it straight from the tap but get rid of the minerals that alter the flavour, making for delicious, eco-friendly water! If you are after a great water bottle check out ours at Goodordering, you can buy them here. 

7. Try Eco-Friendly Cleaning Products

Big plastic spray bottles are so last year. Ditch the disposable cloths and plastic scrubbing brushes, too, for greener alternatives and clean with a guilt-free conscience. You can find bamboo and coconut scourers, along with chemical-free tablets you add to water to create your own cleaning solutions. Even washing-up liquid comes in solid, plastic-free soap! There are plastic-free solutions to every cleaning product, so make the switch and create a cleaner and greener home.

8. Eat Less Carbon-Heavy Foods

Some foods are far worse for the planet than others. Beef and lamb are the first on the list, being the worst foods you can put on your plate in terms of sustainability. 

Fishing can also have a large negative impact on the environment, ruining our sea floors and creating an out-of-balance ecosystem. Other foods to cut down on include:

• Cheese & dairy
• Coffee
• Chocolate
• Avocado

Switch instead for eco-friendly options, such as tofu, leafy greens, beans and pulses, and mushrooms.

9. Switch Your Bank

Did you know that a lot of mainstream banks are guilty of investing in fossil fuels, oil, and gas? Keep your money in line with your values by switching to an eco-conscious bank. There, your money will be used to fund green initiatives that work towards a more sustainable future, and eco-startups that could revolutionise our world.

10. Cycle

You will be doing a great thing for the environnment simply by switching catching buses and trains to cycling. You can also save up to £30 per week at the same time just by switching to your bicycle for short trips. What is more is that you can always estimate your time well when cycling, so never be late again, and jump on your bicycle to save money! you can also get one of our Goodordering pannier bags to make it even easier to do. Break up your trip and cycle part the way, every little bit helps! Be a good role model to your friends and family too and cycle.

Final Words

If going green in 2023 is your goal, these tips should get you well on your way! There’s plenty more you can do to help our planet, though, so keep researching and become a sustainable guru in the year ahead. Together, we have a chance of saving our planet for future generations.

Read on:

A guide to zero waste shopping

Small things you can do to reduce waste in your life

Holding onto happiness - how to be more happy

Electric bikes - questions to ask yourself when buying

Ways for your family to save money