10 quick tips to be more sustainable in 2023

The climate crisis is the single most significant issue affecting people across rural Africa, which threatens not only their lives, but the world’s ability to feed itself – now and in the future. Farmers in Africa contribute very little to the climate crisis and yet are the worst affected. This is climate injustice.

But what can we actually do about it? We can all make small changes to our lifestyle that will reduce our own impact on the planet.

With more people trying to cut down their plastic consumption the health beauty industry is having to keep up. Whilst shampoo bars, bamboo toothbrushes and menstrual cups used to be hard to find, these kinds of products are now readily available in high street stores. Experiment with plastic free options and see what works for you.

If you’re lucky enough to have a zero waste shop in your community, grab yourself some tupperware and head inside to restock on pasta, rice and other essentials. Without the packaging costs, you can save yourself a lot of money per gram and enjoy browsing the new eco-friendly products they have on offer.

This is a really easy step each of us can take to drastically reduce our single use plastic consumption. Stuff reusable bags into each of your backpacks, the nooks of your car and some coat pockets and you’ll save the earth from a product that takes hundreds of years to decompose... as well as saving yourself the pesky 10p charge.

One silver lining of the Covid-19 pandemic was the introduction of remote working. But if you are still commuting, consider if any of your colleagues follow the same schedule and if you could car share your commute a couple of days a week. Amid the rising costs, you’ll both save some cash on fuel and one less car on the road will help reduce global emissions.

Companies like Smol offer free trials of their laundry detergent, dishwasher tablets and cleaning sprays. Their products aim to tackle the carbon, chemical and plastic crisis by reducing harsh chemicals from their formulas and using sustainable packaging. Give their free trial a go and see if it works for you.

Studies show that those following a vegan diet can have a lower carbon footprint. Being vegan full time doesn’t work for everyone, but why not start experimenting with some exciting plant based recipes once or twice a week?

Looking for your next statement piece? Instead of buying new, browse your local charity shops and download apps like Vinted and Depop to see what you can get to refresh your wardrobe. You can normally find great brands at heavily reduced prices. You can also make some money by selling what you no longer wear.

Many companies now offer tariffs that rely on 100% renewable electricity. With energy prices soaring, shop around and see if renewable tariffs are a more affordable option for you and the planet.

Insects play a vital role in balancing our ecosystem. If you have a garden or some outside space, you can encourage more wildlife to visit through rewilding. Research appealing habitats for bugs, bees and birds, get stuck in and enjoy the fresh air.

Firstly, give yourself a pat on the back. Creating lasting habits is tough and tackling the climate crisis is a huge challenge. Talk to your friends about the changes you’ve made and what’s worked well for you. Maybe you’ll inspire someone else to consider their own impact and act more sustainably.

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