Let’s be honest - it really wasn’t all that long ago that hearing the words 'sustainable' or ‘conscious’ conjured up one of three images. Paper straws, bags for life, or shapeless clothing made from tea-stained-looking hemp.
We thought all a product had to do to be classified as ‘green’ was be made of organic cotton or come from a charity shop. We were even happy sipping our iced coffees through a soggy paper tube if it meant the turtles could finally swim free.
Now, don’t get us wrong. Purchasing second-hand garments on the likes of Vinted and Depop, and taking your tote as your date on the weekly shop is worlds better than monthly fast fashion hauls and a kitchen drawer full of plastic bags. However, if we’re talking about true sustainability and genuinely living a more conscious life, if we want to make a significant change to the way we shop, there’s a lot more work to be done.
The good news? Altering your consumer habits is pretty darn easy. We’ll even talk you through how to get started. The really good news? The changes you make can save you money, save you time, and might even help save the world. Okay, that last bit sounds like we’re reaching, but we promise we have the facts to back it up.
Image by Hans Isaacson
How To Shop Sustainably For Clothing & Homeware… Like Really Sustainably
Ask ten people what sustainable shopping means and you’ll get ten different answers. Some will say it’s all about purchasing only second-hand or recycled items. Others will swear it’s fine to buy new as long as those pieces are made from renewable materials with minimal environmental impact. The truth is, procuring sustainable clothes, food, and homeware items is about balance. So how do we break that down?
Prioritise Pre-Loved Clothes & Homeware
Firstly, buying pre-loved clothes and homeware pieces will always be better than buying new ones. They already exist meaning there’ll be no further impact on the environment like there would be from producing them from scratch.
As more of us choose to shop secondhand, the demand for ‘new’ will inevitably decrease, and companies will be forced to limit production - hoorah! After all, if nobody is buying their flimsy, 100% polyester, wear-once items because they already secured a great find at a vintage shop, why would they bother making them?
Limit Or Combine Your Online Purchases
Whilst buying second-hand items in person means less stress on the environment, shopping online, as many of us have experienced, can quickly get out of hand. How?
Say you’re ordering something on a pre-loved clothing or homeware site and having it delivered to your door every other day of the week. That’s a lot of packaging and a lot of carbon emissions entering the atmosphere just to get them to you. But don’t let that put you off. Simply ask yourself if it’s something you need or just want, avoid making frequent purchases, and order items you can schedule in one bulk delivery if/when you do.
If You’re Going To Buy New…
We totally get it, sometimes you need (or really want) to buy something new. When that happens, here are a few of our favourite conscious shopping tips that’ll make your purchasing habits more sustainable.
1. Opt For Quality Over Quantity - Expertly crafted, high-quality items last longer meaning you’ll need to buy less. Great for the environment - great for your bank balance too! It’s also the perfect opportunity to support smaller businesses and creators with eco-conscious practices and business models.
2. Lookout for Low-Impact Fabrics and Materials - Linen, hemp, recycled cotton, tencel, and wool are just some of the many consciously created fabrics for clothing, textiles, and soft furnishings in the home. As for furniture and other homeware staples, look out for pieces made from sustainable wood such as bamboo, oak, and walnut. Also, prioritise pots and decorative items crafted in clay which is both naturally occurring and biodegradable.
3. Shop Made To Order, Or Limited Edition Pieces - Whether buying for yourself or sourcing a special gift for someone, made-to-order items or those with a limited edition run are always a good shout. Limited editions feel exclusive and unique so inventory tends to sell out fast. Meanwhile, made-to-order items use only the required materials to produce each item as requested. That means no mass production or un-purchased items discarded into landfills. What’s more, these pieces are built to last so whether they’re treasured for a lifetime or passed down to family and friends throughout the generations they’re likely to retain or even gain value.
4. Shop Closer To Home - Another way to lower the impact of shipping and delivery for your purchases is to buy from local stores. Supporting the local community = supporting the planet.
5. Don’t Buy Anything At All - No, we’re not suggesting you go without. Instead, when the occasion calls for a special outfit, extra furniture, or even homeware pieces (yes, you can genuinely rent your homeware!) trust us, you’ll be able to hire whatever it is you need instead of buying it.
Image by Gareth Hubbard
How To Cook Sustainably (And Healthily!)
Just as with shopping, there are countless ways to cook more consciously and make your meal prep more sustainable and less wasteful. So many in fact that we couldn’t fit them all in. Here are a few of our favourite tips that you might not have considered before.
Waste Less
Okay, this might seem like a no-brainer, but according to several sources, the average UK household threw away more than £700 worth of food in 2024. Yeah, we were shocked too, but don’t despair. There are so many easy ways to limit your food waste in the year ahead.
1. Plan out your meals before the weekly shop so you only buy what you need.
2. Check expiry dates carefully to make sure you can use the food you’re buying in time.
3. Embrace leftovers. If you cook too much, don’t leave it out and throw it away. Box it up and save yourself the trouble of making or buying lunch the next day.
Make Your Ingredients Smaller
We don’t mean eat less, we mean chop more! Whether it’s potatoes, carrots, or pieces of meat, making your ingredients smaller before cooking reduces cooking times. This can save you a substantial amount of energy and therefore money too in the long run.
Compost
Composting is a great way to help reduce the amount of waste ending up in landfill every year. It’ll also help create nutritious soil in which new vegetables can be grown.
Eat Cold Food
Another way to reduce your energy consumption whilst cooking? Try replacing a hot meal with a salad or any other meal that requires little or no heating. Tricky in winter? Maybe. But it’s super easy in summer with all the delicious, and oddly viral, salad recipes floating around the web.
Image by Blake Guidry
How To Travel Sustainably
At home, conscious travel consists of walking, cycling, or taking public transport instead of driving. But what about when you want to venture out and explore the world? Whilst it’s true that simply not doing that would be the more conscious choice, there’s so much beauty to see in the world and, for many of us, getting to experience it is one of life's greatest joys. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to travel more sustainably. Here are a few of our conscious travel tips to live by.
Choose Your Airline Carefully
Before you book that flight, why not do a little research on the airline? As far as sustainability goes, most providers are more than happy to shout about the steps they’ve taken to be a more eco-friendly business. Things to look out for?
1. Carbon Offset Programs - Some airlines allow their passengers to purchase carbon offsets before or whilst booking a flight. Put simply, this is a voluntary contribution donated to (usually) non-profit organisations working to reduce existing carbon emissions and greenhouse gases around the world.
2. No Single-use Plastics - Many airlines are aiming to or have already begun to eliminate the use of single-use plastics on their flights.
3. Sustainable Aviation Fuels - Investing in more sustainable fuels is becoming more and more prominent in the aviation industry. Compared to traditional jet fuel, this more earth-conscious alternative can reduce carbon emissions by up to 80%.
Stay In Family Owned Accommodation
Staying in chain hotels may be simpler and, often, more cost-effective. However, if you’re looking to make a more conscious choice on your next trip and are happy to spend a little extra, try staying in local or family-owned accommodation to benefit the local economy.
Eat In Local Restaurants
Similarly, eating in local restaurants is another way to support the town or city you’re calling home for a short while. So forget the coffee chains and burger joints (we all know the ones) and sit back, relax, and savour the local cuisine instead.
Tags
