Although corporations produce the majority of greenhouse gas emissions and we sometimes may feel powerless, there are things we can do on a smaller scale. It may not seem like much, but changing one or two habits in your life can make a world of difference to the environment. So, here are some small habits to get you started:
Digital Habits:
1. Switching to alternative search engines. Want to help the planet from the comfort of your own bed while surfing the internet? Luckily, you can do this by switching to an alternative search engine. Some of our favourites include:
a) GiveWater: Give Water donates funds to provide clean water and sanitation. This funding is generated from ads that pop up when you use this search engine.
b) Elliot for Water: Elliot for Water gives money to help people access safe drinking water. This money is generated from search ads when using this search engine.
c) OceanHero: OceanHero uses money generated from ads to conduct ocean clean ups.
d) Ecosia: Ecosia uses the money generated from search ads to plant trees!
e) Lilo: On Lilo, you can 'earn' water drops that you then give to the projects you care the most about. Lilo uses these 'water drops' to determine how much money to give to these different causes.
f) Tab for a Cause : Whilst this option isn't a search engine, Tab for a Cause gives you a 'heart' each time you open a new tab, and these hearts can be 'given' to different causes. Tab for a Cause then uses the hearts to determine how much money to give to each cause.
Eating Green:
1. Eat leftovers. Avoid food wastage by putting food in your fridge/freezer to eat at a later date.
2. Finding food with minimal packaging, or choosing options with less packaging or biodegradable/recyclable packaging.
3. Shop local - eg going to markets. Shopping local is great for many ways - you can support local businesses, build community relations and reduce your carbon footprint.
4. Eat food that is in season. It requires less energy, resources and transport to produce in-season food, so eating seasonal goods reduces your carbon footprint.
5. Buy in bulk eg tea, coffee, flour. An easy way to reduce the amount of packaging you use.
6. Shop at zero-waste stores. Search up if there any zero-waste stores in your area, and if there are use them! A great way to cut down on your plastic packaging consumption.
7. Bring your own fruit bags when shopping at supermarket. It is a common practice now to bring your own shopping bags when going to the supermarket, but another habit you can try is bringing your own produce bags for fruit or veggies!
8. Don’t use plastic wrap, opt for beeswax wraps, containers. Instead of using plastic wrap to preserve food, try using containers or even buy or make your own beeswax wraps! Here is a YouTube video to get you started: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SillbV70QZ8
9. Drink loose leaf tea. Tea is an essential in many of our homes, but tea bags often contain plastic - so opt for loose leaf tea!
10. Grow your own herbs, fruits, veggies. See below for more info on this! Growing your own is more convenient and can help reduce your carbon footprint.
11. Eat plant-based foods more often. The animal agriculture industry requires massive amounts of land, energy, food and water, and so much animal produce is eventually wasted. By eating plant-based foods more often (food that has no animal products in it), we can greatly reduce the impact we have on our environment. Initiatives like "Meatless Monday" are a great place to start.
Repurposing:
1. Candles! This one works both ways. If you have a finished candle, you can clean the container and use it as a nice pot or jar. Alternatively, you can turn old jars into candles.
2. Making your own paper. This requires a bit of equipment, but you can make your own paper from used paper, newspaper or other paper products. Here is a link to help you get started: (https://www.paperslurry.com/2014/05/19/how-to-make-handmade-paper-from-recycled-materials/)
3. New coat of paint on old items!
Donating Used Goods:
A great way to reduce the waste that ends up in landfill is to donate belongings that are still in relatively good condition rather than discarding them. Even if you doubt someone would want a certain belonging of yours, consider taking it to an op shop because you never know what another person might consider as treasure. Here are some great places to donate to by state:
All states: Salvation Army (Salvos) St Vincent de Paul (Vinnies)
Victoria: Brotherhood of St Laurence (BSL), Save the Children Op Shop
Western Australia: Good Sammy’s, Anglicare Op Shop, Save the Children Op Shop, RSPCA Op Shop
Queensland: Save the Children Op Shop, RSPCA Op Shop
Tasmania: Save the Children Op Shop, City Mission Op Shop
Northern Territory: Red Cross Op Shop, Anglicare,
ACT: The Smith Family Store
If you don’t know of an op shop near you, search up “local op shops”.
Alternatively, search for “Local ‘Buy Nothing’ Facebook Groups”. These are Facebook groups usually within suburbs where you post items you no longer want and someone in your suburb comes and picks it up. It’s a good way to stop things from going into landfill and to build community relationships!
Gift Giving:
1. Reusing gift bags. If you don't already, start a collection of gift bags that have been given to you, that you can use when giving presents to others.
2. Wrapping presents in newspaper. A lot of gift wrapping paper has plastic in it, which makes it more difficult to recycle, so try wrapping presents in newspaper which can be recycled!
3. Giving experiences not things. By giving someone an experience such as a holiday, movie tickets, concert tickets and so on, as these cannot be thrown away and can be more special presents - as they leave people with memories and feelings they can always look back on.
4. Donating to a charity on someone’s behalf. If there is a cause you know someone particularly cares about, you can donate to a relevant charity on their behalf as a gift. This is thoughtful, and can help lots of people (and even the planet).
5. Re-gifting. Some people do think this suggestion is not the best idea, but we think it is a helpful way to make sure things don't go to waste. If you ever get something that you don't think you will use, it is okay to pass it along as a present to another person (just make sure you aren't giving it back to the same person!)
6. Asking people what they want. This is a simple idea, but ask people what they would like! This way you can make sure that what you give them is something they will actually use.
Growing your own...
1. Indoor plants. Here is a link with some suggestions for indoor plants to grow at home! https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/easy-indoor-plants-for-beginners/10967302
2. Grow native plants in your garden. Below is a link with some native Australian plants to grow yourself. If you don't live in Australia, do some research of your own to find native plants to grow. https://www.bhg.com.au/australian-native-plants
3. Easy herbs and veggies for beginners. https://littleveggiepatchco.com.au/blogs/news/7968699-10-best-beginner-plants
4. Reuse old containers/jars as pots.
Reusable items:
1. Reusable bags. These are great to use when shopping, to reduce usage of plastic bags.
2. Reusable water bottles. Bringing a reusable water bottle wherever you go means you always have water with you and don't need to worry about buying plastic bottles. Many places will also have water fountains where you can fill up your water bottle.
3. Reusable straws. Reusable straws are a great way to reduce plastic use, especially as straws are a common type of plastic that marine animals consume. You can get reusable straws made of silicone, metal or bamboo - and even ones you can use for differrent drinks like bubble tea!
4. Bring reusable cutlery when you go out. Many food places do not have reusable cutlery and instead rely on plastic or disposable cutlery, so by bringing your own you can avoid this.
5. Bringing own containers when going out to eat, if you want to take away leftovers. When getting leftovers after eating a meal, most restaurants will give you disposable plastic containers. By bringing your own reusable containers, you can avoid this use of plastic.
Composting:
1. Create your own compost bin. Whilst this does require a little bit of DIY-ing, this is a great way to make any food scraps or green waste into something that helps our planet.
2. Use a FOGO bin or other compost bin provided by your local council. By looking at your local councils website, you should be able to find if you have a composting service/if one is coming soon. For more info on FOGO bins, check out this handy link! https://www.cleanaway.com.au/sustainable-future/what-goes-in-fogo/
3. Buy a compost bin. These can be purchased at hardware stores.
Green Lifestyle:
1. Ethical banking. Here is a link to explain how to be more ethical and eco-friendly with our banking choices. https://www.switchliving.com.au/student-guide/ideas/ethical-banking-in-australia/
2. Ethical super. Here is a link to explain how super funds often invest your money in unethical or eco-damaging companies. Instead opt for ethical super funds which are more transparent about who they invest their money with. https://www.marketforces.org.au/superfunds/
3. Greener electronics. This link expands on the environmental impacts that different electronic brands have, and what they are doing to address them. https://www.greenpeace.org/usa/reports/greener-electronics-2017/
4. Green mobile networks. This helpful link provides a guide on different mobile networks and their 'ethical ratings'. https://thegoodshoppingguide.com/subject/mobile-networks/Youtube videoYoutube videoYouTube