Typically, in A Pure World we run an annual competition, for this edition we would like to try something different. We know that Jacobi as a company is always looking to work sustainably and we are, of course, on our sustainability journey, but we wanted to find out what YOU the people are doing to be more sustainable and how you’re moving on your own journeys. Any step forward, be it a small one or a big one, can make a difference.
Steps You Can Take Today
We’ve put together a few basic steps, changes and choices you can make in your day-to-day life – see how many you might adopt.
Refill and Reuse, Reuse, Reuse
Decades of single-use packaging (very often made from plastic) has led to a very real and significant global waste problem that is projected to rise rapidly over the coming years. By choosing refillable options over disposable options where possible you can ensure you are keeping global waste contributions minimal.
Smarter Fridge Filling
Always running, your refrigerator is one of the most energy intensive appliances in the home. Making small changes to make sure the fridge isn’t working any harder than it needs to be can make a difference to energy consumption and, consequently, bills too. Habits such as leaving the door open excessively or overfilling mean your fridge uses more energy to reach the safe temperature and should be avoided.
Greener Families
The baby industry did not escape the push for single-use convenience products, with disposable food pouches and nappies becoming widespread amongst families in recent years; however, reuseable options for both products are now gaining popularity. Hand-me-down clothes and buying second hand or borrowing baby items are also easy ways to reduce consumption when having a family.
Consider Your Diet
The environmental impact of the food industry is simply massive. It is a substantial contributor to both greenhouse gas emissions and global waste, whilst using an enormous amount of energy too. This doesn’t mean you need to completely overhaul your diet or shopping habits, but making more considered choices can help. For example, embracing more meat-free dishes and eating what’s in season where you live.
Supporting Wildlife
If you have outdoor space, you can support local fauna and flora surprisingly easily. Planting pollinator-friendly flowers to support bee populations, providing shallow bowls of water, and using logs and leaves to create shelters are all excellent options. Using less chemicals and even mowing the lawn less frequently can help to keep create a garden that’s safe for wildlife.
Embrace the Staycation
Being a tourist in your own country can be just as rewarding as going abroad, as well as being far less resource intensive. Cut down on your carbon footprint by opting out of air travel and discovering somewhere closer to home.
Avoid Water Wastage
Despite the fact that two billion people are estimated to be living in water scarcity, many of us with easy access to clean and safe water still take it for granted. This is a vital and precious resource and should be treated accordingly – particularly when the planet’s levels of water stress are set to increase in the coming years. You don’t need to make big changes here either; things like only running the dishwasher when it’s full, taking showers over baths, and only boiling as much water as you need can all help.