Go green in 15 easy steps with Live Eco’s Lazy Girl’s Guide to Going Green, even the laziest amongst us can action.
1. Buy Less, Choose Well.
Take a fast fashion break and support sustainable and ethical designers. Elizabeth Cline, author of last year’s much talked about book, Overdressed: The shocking high cost of cheap fashion, keeps a running list of sustainable designers to check out.
2. Be Water Wise.
When you’re brushing your teeth, be sure to turn off the tap and don’t leave it running while you’re brushing. Also consider installing a low-flow shower head in your shower. This helps the environment and saves you money at the same time!
3. Ditch the coffee stirrer.
If you’ve getting a to-go cuppa instead of stirring your caffè with those sticks provided, ask for a spoon or while they’re pouring your coffee, ask the barista to add your sugar or sweetener so it’s nicely mixed in before your first sip.
4. Repair or Donate old clothes.
In today’s fast-paced world, people are quick to discard items of clothing as soon as a tiny hole appears or the colour is no longer on trend. Instead of throwing clothing away, which will only end up in a landfill for a number of years; learn how to sew and darn small holes. Or upcycle items in your wardrobe, add a stud here and cut and sew there… If the items really have no potential for re-invention, donate them to a charity shop.
5. Embrace Slow Fashion.
The idea behind the slow fashion movement is similar to slow food. It involves investing in good quality, ethically made clothing and accessories. Rather buy pieces that are well made, although they may hold a more expensive price tag, they will stand the test of time in your wardrobe, not date as quickly and don’t hold a hidden cost to the environment.
6. Support Meat-free Mondays.
So you are not ready to become a vegetarian or vegan. Adopt the simple idea of having one meat-free meal a week.
7. That’s a Wrap!
With the Festive Season well on it’s way, we’ll all soon be wrapping endless gifts for family and friends. This year why not get creative and use old newspaper, magazines or paper bags. Not only will your wrapping be unique but you’ll be saving many trees in the process. Watch out for more Eco Christmas ideas on the site over the next couple of weeks.
8. Buy Local.
Support our local farmers and shop at a farmers market. With the warmer weather finally here, we couldn’t ask for a better environment in which to enjoy the outdoors and shop for fresh fruit and veg straight from the source. Give Eco also has some fantastic locally sourced and handmade eco-friendly and ethical gifts on offer.
9. Get moving.
Summer is here! Commit to walking or biking to at least one destination a week.
10. Pay bills online.
Most banks now offer e-statements and so does Telkom. So opt to receive your bills online.
11. Read online.
Your favourite mags are also now available for download onto your PC, iPad, smartphone or tablet so switch to a digital subscription.
12. Eco Cups.
A couple of coffee shops now offer a discount to customers who bring their own cups. So get saving {for the environment & your pocket} and bring your own cup to fulfill your next coffee fix!
13. Bag it.
The same goes for grocery shopping. Keep a few re-usable bags in your car so there is no excuse when you arrive at the shops or farmers market.
14. Light it up.
Swap out old lightbulbs in your home and office for energy efficient, CFL’s.
15. Switch off!
When leaving the home or office make sure all electrcial equipment is shut down and switched off at the plug point. Electrical appliances left in standby mode are energy vampires and by switching them off at the source you’ll be helping the environment and lessening the load on Eskom.
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