Featured illustration: Ruby Sharp
1. Mindful clothes shopping
The fashion industry significantly contributes to overconsumption, with 92 million tonnes of clothing ending up in landfill each year. To be more sustainable, clothes consider buying and selling clothes on platforms like Vinted. These apps provide a great opportunity to make extra cash while keeping your clothes out of landfills. Alternatively, consider donating old clothes to charity shops and shop secondhand. This helps extend the life of clothing, reduces waste, and gives pre-loved items a new home.
2. Reuse items
To reduce waste, avoid single-use plastics, which are harmful to the environment. Instead, where possible, invest in reusable water bottles, coffee cups and lunch containers – These can be washed and reused multiple times without creating extra waste. Additionally, be mindful of your purchases. Before buying new items, consider whether you already own something that can serve the same purpose.
3. Recycle
Recycling plays a key role in sustainability. One way that students at Manchester Met can achieve this is by placing rubbish in the correct bins around campus. Another great way to recycle is through Boots’ “Recycle At Boots” scheme. You can drop off used makeup items, baby wipes, deodorant, and more at any Boots store. In return, you’ll earn points on your Boots Advantage Card, which can be redeemed for discounts on future purchases. If you don’t have a Boots card, signing up is free. You can find the full list of recyclable items here.
4. Avoid wasting food
When doing your weekly food shop, plan your meals to avoid buying too much food that may go to waste. Additionally, store leftovers in the freezer to extend their shelf life – this helps reduce food waste and saves you money on future meals.
5. Donate items
When decluttering your place, consider donating items that are in good condition, or offer them to friends and family.This can include books, CDs, trinkets, and other household items. Not only does this practice reduce waste, but it also allows others to enjoy and repurpose these belongings.
By making these small changes, you can reduce waste, support sustainability, and make a positive impact on the environment.
Have a tip of your own to share? Write for aAh! Email the team on aAh.Editor@gmail.com
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