From Fashion to Food: Important Changes to Living More sustainably

Sustainability has become somewhat of a buzzword in the last couple of years, but living in a sustainable way is one of the most important considerations of our current time. As humans, we have the power to change the way we live and have a positive impact on our planet, and although we cannot stop global warming or other environmental issues completely, we can definitely reduce the effects and make Earth better now and for the future.

If you don’t realise already, even making small changes to your daily, weekly or yearly habits can go a long way. Every year 2.2 billion tons of waste is dumped in our oceans, and according to scientific predictions, by this the rate we are going by 2030 we’ll need 2 Earths.

So, what changes can you make that will promote sustainable living?

In this blog, we explain some of the best ways that you can help the planet, reduce landfill waste and protect Earth. Read on to find out more.

What is sustainability 

At the root of becoming more sustainable, there must be an understanding of what sustainable actually means. Sustainability focuses on meeting the needs of the present without compromising the future - an ecological definition that originated from the Brundtland Report in 1987. It’s about finding ways of living in balance with the planet, where resources and not exploited and technological developments meet humans needs but not at the detriment of the planet. Making use of natural, renewable sources is a big part of sustainability as well as finding long-term strategies that work for economic, social and ecological processes.

Why is sustainability important?

As mentioned, sustainability is important for the current and future state of our planet. Without making sustainable changes, it will eventually become impossible to maintain our current quality of life, protect animals and wildlife and natural resources. We are already seeing obvious signs of struggle, from fossil fuels running out at a significantly fast level to global warming causing disastrous wildfires. The push for sustainability is perhaps the most important and effective way of minimising damage to our planet, focusing on the three main pillars - the environment, economy and society.



How can you make sustainable changes?

Luckily, making sustainable changes is actually a lot easier than you may think. You don’t have to completely transform your lifestyle, in fact, minor changes and easy swaps can help you live more sustainably, all it takes is a little commitment.

Here we explain some simple tips for living a more environmentally-conscious life.

Fashion

We all love buying new clothes and there’s nothing quite like finding the perfect outfit that makes you feel like a million dollars. However, in recent years the growing awareness of ‘fast fashion’ and how it’s affecting the planet has resulted in a greater interest and need for sustainable fashion. Fast fashion refers to the quick turn around of short-lived fashion trends, often replicated from designer catwalks by high street and online brands.

These products are usually cheaply made, use synthetic fabrics and chemicals, which are unable to breakdown and instead, release toxic fumes into our atmosphere. Furthermore, since these items are ‘trend’ pieces, once the trend has passed owners will throw clothing away and start the process again. Alternatively, seeking sustainable brands with better manufacturing process and higher quality items is more responsible. Try not to be swayed by trends, but make conscious decisions about what you’re buying, choosing timeless, staple items that can be worn for years to come. Better yet, purchase second-hand clothes from charity shops and vintage stores to reduce your impact on the environment.

Food

When it comes to making food sustainable it’s as much about the consumer as it is the farmers and manufacturers. From transporting food from across the world to the packaging that comes with it, there are a lot of problems in the food industry. One thing that you can do is start to shop more locally, which means visiting your local farm shop, fruit and veg stores and butchers. Buying locally has many benefits, not only does it help your local economy but the items are sourced from local farmers which means a lower carbon footprint. You’re likely to notice a difference in the quality of local produce since the need for preservatives and other chemicals is much lower compared to items that are shipped across seas.

Another sustainable change you can make is choosing items with less packaging.Why not purchase your own vegetable bags and reusable shopping bags? Although the majority of plastic can be recycled, buying loose fruit and veg, for example, reduces the demand for packaging completely.

Construction

It’s important to make sustainable changes in your everyday life as well as in your business. For those who work in construction, using recycled aggregates instead of naturally sourced resources will reduce your company’s carbon footprint and make responsible changes for the better. Recycled aggregates are materials such as gravel, sand, stone and bricks that are gathered from demolition sites or leftovers from previous projects. In the past, these materials would have ended up in landfill, however, recycling and reusing them protects our natural resources, saves money and reduces the need for transportation when aggregates are available locally.

Here at W M Thompson & Son, we have a range of recycled aggregate and reclaimed stone suitable for your next construction project. Ensure you’re making sustainable choices today, get in touch to find out more about our products.

Household routines

How many loads of washing are you doing a week? Is your heating set too high? Making changes to your household routines can make a big impact on the environment. To start with, it’s a good idea to get in the habit of using the eco settings on your appliances, such as lower washing machine temperatures that use less energy and shorter dishwasher cycles. You should also use these appliances when you have a full load so no water or energy is going to waste.

When it comes to your boiler, make sure you set your thermostat to a sensible temperature and make use of the timer. Try not to have your boiler on when it’s not necessary, such as times when you aren’t going to be home. When your boiler is off, why not use alternative ways of keeping warm such as using a hot water bottle, layering your clothes and not covering up radiators.

Reusable items

You’ve probably heard of the phrase ‘reduce, reuse recycle’ and making good use of the items you do have is a great way of being sustainable. Since the plastic bag fee was introduced in October 2015, as a bid to encourage shoppers to use reusable bags instead of single-use plastic bags, the seven biggest UK supermarkets have reduced their disposable bag sales by 86%. Canvas shopping bags or tote bags are a great alternative, more durable and less harmful. Swapping plastic water bottles for reusable bottles has also become one of the most popular changes, keeping you hydrated when on the go, without the need to repurchase a new drink each day. Additionally, eco-friendly coffee cups have also changed the way people think about purchases, with many coffee chains and independent stores offering discounts for those using reusable cups.

Other reusable items include:

●     Swap plastic food wrap for reusable wrap or lunch boxes

●     Use silicone, metal and paper straws instead of plastic straws

●     Use a cloth or sponge for cleaning instead of wipes

●     Purchase bamboo or other recyclable cutlery instead of using plastic sets

Recycled aggregates and responsible landfill services

Here at W M Thompson & Son, based in Glasgow, Dumbarton and Lanarkshire, we do all we can to minimise our environmental impact and encourage sustainable practices through recycled aggregates. We also work closely with a number of environmental bodies to ensure we’re following the right environmental procedures. Whether you’re looking for high-quality recycled aggregates or waste disposal services, get in touch today and find out how we can help