If you are starting to think about resolutions or changes that you’d like to make in the New Year, one of the best options is to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle. Over the last few years, we’ve become more aware of climate change and how our actions are affecting the planet. This means that there are also more options when it comes to being greener. Everyone from big brands to small independent companies is starting to work with more sustainable practices and offer their customers greener options. The growth in knowledge means that it’s easier than ever to go green and that there are very few excuses not to. Here are 18 ways that you can go greener in 2022, to help you get started.
Avoid Single-Use Products
Single-use products are terrible for the planet. They get mass-produced, often in the least sustainable ways, used and then thrown away. The nature of single-use products means that many of them are made from plastic, which can take thousands of years to break down. Most single-use products have a reusable alternative, so make sure you are looking for it.
Reuse as Much as You Can
It’s important to note, however, that plastic itself isn’t terrible. Yes, it is worse for the planet than other alternatives, but actually, the plastic itself isn’t single use; we’ve just made it so for convenience. If you have a drawer full of plastic bags, throwing them all away and buying cotton totes would be awful for the planet. Instead, use your plastic as much as you possibly can and don’t replace it until you have to. This doesn’t just apply to plastics, but also to pretty much everything else too. Use what you’ve got until you can’t use it anymore, and then replace it.
Repair Before Replacing
Some of those products, even when you can’t use them anymore, could be repaired before you replace them. Get into the habit of having appliances repaired, but also of making small repairs like sewing holes in socks before you throw anything away.
Buy Second-Hand
When you do need to buy something, look around before you buy new. Often, we can get good quality products from charity shops, online auction sites or second-hand selling apps, or even from friends and family. Buying second-hand gives products a new lease of life, helps the environment and also gives you a chance to give to charity, or help someone out financially.
Borrow What You Can
Borrowing is another great alternative to buying. If you only need to use something once or twice, or infrequently, borrowing an item from a friend saves you money and reduces the number of appliances or tools wasting their lives tucked away in sheds or cupboards.
Another option is buying with someone else. If you and a friend both need something that neither of you owns, but won’t need it much, consider buying half each and sharing ownership. You could even do this in larger groups.
Shop More Mindfully
One of the best things that you can do if you want to be green is shop more mindfully. Before you buy anything at all, ask yourself if you need to, or if there’s a better option, and if you do need something new, make sure you do your research first so that you make the most sustainable choice.
Walk Shorter Distances
Most of us are guilty of driving too much. Even those of us that don’t have cars use buses and other public transport more than we really need to. We’re so guilty of always rushing that we want our journeys to be over as soon as possible. But actually, there are many benefits to making more of your journeys and walking at least some of the time. Walk shorter distances, and park further away from your destination on longer journeys. You’ll cut pollution, get some exercise, and get a chance to take some time for yourself, away from your hectic schedule. Try downloading a podcast or audiobook for your walks.
Buy an Electric Vehicle
If you are looking at buying a new car next year, make sure you consider electric or at least hybrid. You can save money with a cheap electric car lease. There are some fantastic EV lease deals out there, and you will save money even after taking out your EV lease by not having to buy petrol or pay for things like congestion charges. You can find out more about electric car lease deals from ElectriX. ElectriX offer plenty of information on the costs of electric vehicles including electric car leasing and charging, as well as other advice on buying an electric car.
Grow Your Food
Food is a great place to be green and changing our habits when it comes to shopping and cooking can have other benefits, such as saving money and eating a more varied and nutritious diet. One of the biggest and most effective changes is growing your food instead of buying. Even with a small garden, you can grow small fruits like strawberries and tomatoes as well as herbs and spices.
Write Meal Plans and Shopping Lists
So much of the food that is produced is wasted. A fair amount of the food that people buy and take home is thrown away, often purely because of bad planning and impulse shopping. Before you hit the shops, write detailed meal plans and shopping lists. That way, you’ll only buy what you need, reducing food waste immensely.
Make the Most of Your Leftovers
Even with fantastic planning, there will sometimes be leftovers, especially after big meals like a Sunday roast. In 2022, start making more of your leftovers. Save leftovers to make Monday night dinners or save them for another time. Try to throw away as little as possible.
Buy Local Produce
The food that we buy has a carbon footprint, and the further it travels, the bigger that footprint is. Try to buy locally grown or produced food to reduce its impact.
Wash Your Clothes Less
It might sound a bit gross when you first think about it, but do you need to wash your clothes as much as you do? Yes, things like pants and socks need washing after every wear, but things like jeans and jumpers can be worn until they are smelly or dirty. Even then, you might be able to wipe them down first. Reducing washing saves both water and power.
Go Big with Recycling
Hopefully, you are already recycling, but whatever you are doing already, make sure you go big in 2022.
Become More Water Efficient
We waste water all of the time because we take it for granted. Washing less, turning the tap off when you brush your teeth and switching to a water-saving showerhead can make a big difference to the amount of water that you use.
Choose Energy Efficient Appliances
You shouldn’t buy anything that you don’t need. But if you do need to replace an appliance, make sure you choose the most energy-efficient option.
Donate to Charity
If you are ready for a big declutter, make sure you donate as much as possible to charities, libraries, and food banks.
Avoid Fast-Fashion
Fast fashion is terrible for the planet, but it can be hard to avoid. Investing more sustainably is often more expensive, but it lasts longer, usually looks better and is much better for the environment.
Becoming greener in 2022 is probably easier than you think. It’s often a case of researching your options and living more mindfully, as well as thinking before you buy or throw things away.
