Waste reducing tips

As an ethical shopper, you know the little things matter. Waste can easily accumulate from everyday shopping and household activities, but building small, planet-friendly habits can make waste-reduction a joy. Here are three ways to keep your waste to a minimum through spring… 

Circular fashion

Tastes change and trends come and go, but here’s how to keep your wardrobe on the move in a way that won’t cost the earth.

Creating your wardrobe is supposed to be fun, but buying new clothes nowadays can feel like a chore - garments are often extortionate and out of bounds or cheap and poorly made. 

That’s where circular fashion comes in - it turns clothes shopping on its head and brings a welcome shift of focus, encouraging renting, sharing and buying clothes in order to extend the lifecycle of an item, and reduce waste and expenses. 

Charity shops and vintage stores are your first port of call. You might have to hunt for what you’re after, but that’s all part of the thrill! It’s amazing what kind of treasures and bargains you can pick up at a charity shop. Seek out a town near you with plenty of charity shops and make a day of it. 

Amazing bargains can be found on sites like Depop and Vinted, if you’d rather shop from home.

Hand-me-downs - clothes swaps can be a fabulous excuse to get together and have fun with your friends. When it comes to kids clothing, hand-me-downs are a no-brainer; it’s especially helpful if they have friends or cousins who are a couple of years older!

Looking for a gorgeous outfit that you simply won’t find in a charity shop? Did you know you can rent-a-wardrobe? Brands like Hurr Collective and ByRotation allow you to rent high-quality items of clothing for a fraction of the sale price. Perfect for special occasions or items that you’ll only wear once.

Lunch on the go

It’s easy to grab a single-use plastic bottle, disposable straw, or set of one-use cutlery at lunchtime when you’re on the go, but the truth is, these items are contributing to the plastic waste problem that we’re all trying to tackle. The good news? There are loads of sustainable, reusable options out there to make your travels a little greener. 

Reusable mugs 

Seems like an obvious one, but realistically, how often do we forget to bring our coffee cups with us? Around 6.5 million trees are cut down each year to produce paper coffee cups, and most of them are lined with plastic, meaning they go to landfill and take years to decompose. Buy yourself a coffee cup you really love, and you’ll never forget to pack it.

Travel cutlery sets

Often made from bamboo, stainless steel or recycled materials - cutlery sets are a simple and eco-friendly
alternative to one-use cutlery you may receive when out and about on your weekend adventures. These sets usually come in handy carry cases, and can be easily popped in a bag or car so you’re always prepared when you stop for a quick meal.

And let’s not forget the humble straw 

One win for the planet is that the flimsy plastic ones have mostly been phased out in the UK. As we all know, they’ve been replaced with paper straws that can quickly become too soggy for use. It’s also worth noting that they can’t be recycled, as paper can’t be broken down after hitting liquid. 

Paper straws also emit dangerous greenhouse gases when they rot in landfill. Looking for a planet friendly alternative that actually works? Reusable straws. They can be bought in zero-waste shops and some FRA stores, and usually come
in stainless steel or bamboo with a handy cleaning tool. They’ll last you a long time and aren’t too expensive. 

Grey water

One of the most effective (and overlooked) ways to reduce waste and make better use of resources is reusing grey water. This is the wastewater from sinks, baths and washing machines. Rather than letting this water go to waste, it can be saved and used in many ways that make daily life easier and more sustainable.

Setting up a grey water system doesn’t have to be complicated; simple techniques like collecting water from a bath or sink in a large container for reuse are a great start. Reusing grey water isn’t only better for the environment, it’s a simple way to save on the water-bill. Win-win!

Handy ways to reuse grey water
• Irrigate the garden
• Clean outdoor spaces
• Wash the car
• Flush the toilet