What can you do to help?
It could be easy to get overwhelmed by all the changes you might want to make NOW – so take it a step at a time.
Below are tips on how you can help, but you don’t need to do them all at once. Just one new change a week. Talk to people about what you are doing. This will make a big difference to your efforts and help spread the word.
Cancelling any direct mail you don't need
Go paperless billing
When buying a new toothbrush switch to bamboo
Lights off when not in the room
Avoid free samples (e.g. food samples that come in single-use packaging, hotel shampoo/conditioner)
Swap disposable plastic razors for a safety razor
Replace cotton wool pads with reusable soft bamboo facial wipes
Say no to Disposable plastic cutlery
Beer and cans - Say no to Six Pack Rings. If you find them on the street or in a beach clean-up, cut through all the loops and discard appropriately
Quit using Q-tips - go organic cotton with paper stems
Fruit and Veg shopping - grab paper bags that are designed for mushrooms
Tampons? Switch to a silicone menstrual cup to avoid monthly plastic waste
Beauty brands - Look out for the ones that use sustainable packaging and let them know if they don’t
Facial scrubs and washes - Avoid micro-beads
Bottled water - Stop buying it and carry refill bottle
Reusable coffee cups - Bring your own thermos to the coffee shop
Choose cardboard over plastic bottles and bags
Cloth nappies - Switch to Terry towelling cloth nappies
Leftover food - Ditch cling wrap and use reusable containers/bowl with a plate on top or old jars
Buy tea the loose-leaf way
Leave plastic at the supermarket - you’re well within your rights to do it
Get campaigning - Check out the charity links below on how to
Smokers - Throw your butts in the bin, not on the floor
Zero waste shops Refill stations for dry products without packaging
London list: http://eco-boost.co/where-to-buy-bulk-in-london
and UK list: https://thezerowaster.com/zero-waste-living-ukDiscover plastic-free cleaning recipes - here ( http://www.plasticfreejuly.org/cleaning.html )
Make your own shampoo - Recipe http://stylecaster.com/beauty/should-you-be-using-bar-shampoo
A great read - 21 Ways to Go Zero Waste by Pebble
Create ecobricks of non-biodegradable waste stuffed solid into a plastic bottle to create reusable building block. Read more by clicking here.
Help your world - Green Peace
This well-known and global organisation helps to change attitudes and behaviour, to protect and conserve the environment and to promote peace. Whether it’s tackling climate change, protecting biodiversity or promoting equitable and sustainable development, you can join Greenpeace and take action. It doesn’t matter whether you have a little bit or a lot of time to spare – they can use your help.
Ethical living - Pebble
Whether it’s cleaner living by design, ethical fashion, slow food or eco-travel, pebble is about how we want to live, the world we want in the future, our dreams and desires. Zero waste has become a real force for showing how conscious consumerism can change the way we buy and eat our food. This website shows you how to live more a cleaner lifestyle and where to shop, listing all the major Zero waste shops are.
Go Vegan - Vegan Society
Everyone wants to feel healthier, lighter and more vibrant. Couple these fantastic benefits with the knowledge that you can also do your best for animals around the world, as well as reducing your effect on the environment. Going Vegan is a simple action you can take that will have a positive effect not just on you but on many other lives. Click on the link below and feel good about your lifestyle choice.