How to take on small habits that will achieve big wins – both for your pocket and the environment
Whether it’s discovering on a pre-loved treasure, sipping a fairtrade flat white from a reusable cup or revamping a tatty chair into an edgy conversation piece, adopting sustainable habits can make us feel savvy, conscientious and even a little creative. It’s a win-win situation, saving money and saving the planet at the same time!
Now, saving the planet may feel like an overstatement, but small consistent habits can make a big impact. Circular living is an approach to everyday life that makes the most of resources by reusing, repairing and recycling. For households and small businesses, that means mindful consumption, buying well and keeping our stuff in use for as long as possible. It’s all about the mindset – seeing possibilities in things we already have, buying only when necessary and putting circularity front and centre.
So, where to start? Well, at MyWaste.ie, there is plenty of practical advice and inspiration to make circular living easy. For example, changing our relationship with our clothes could make a big difference. Textiles constitute a considerable environmental problem. High carbon emissions, high water usage and dubious labour conditions feature prominently in the manufacture of many familiar high street brands.
Keeping our clothes in good condition, organising repairs or alterations, renting, swapping, buying for the long-term and ensuing that our clothes can have a second life, all help to mitigate the damage textiles cause. MyWaste offers video tutorials on simple repairs and redesign as well as advice on preparing items for donation.
Activities like cleaning, gardening and DIY may seem too ordinary to matter when it comes to sustainability, but there’s so much scope here for circular living. MyWaste.ie has resources to help. The Greener Cleaning Guide outlines effective cleaning methods using ingredients such as baking soda, vinegar, salt and lemon juice. This avoids dangerous chemicals and, yes, saves money. If you are happiest pottering around the garden, then check out the MyWaste Greener Gardening Guide to find natural and more sustainable ways to control pests and to fertilise your flowers and vegetables.
Whether undertaking a small furniture refurbishment project or a major house renovation, circular thinking can also create a personalised look on a budget. Simple steps, such as calculating the amount of paint necessary and upcycling rather than buying new, will shave a considerable amount off the cost, while reducing waste. Also, rather than simply tossing perfectly usable items into a skip, selling, rehoming or donating them are all more sustainable options. The MyWaste Greener Home Hints Guide contains heaps of tips and tricks for a more eco-conscious home upgrade.
Let’s get circular one action at a time and make savvy sustainability your new normal. Find out more on MyWaste.ie.
