Most of us aspire to be more eco-friendly but find ourselves stuck in a cycle of going for the easiest and least expensive option. This is true when it comes to shopping, travelling, eating and sustaining our homes. But what if this isn’t the only option? Keep reading for four examples of budget-friendly ways to live a more economical and sustainable life.
- Eating more local, organic food and less processed meats
One of the easiest ways to live more sustainably is simply to reduce how much meat and processed foods we’re eating and replace it with beans, rice, pulses and vegetables. What we’re actually consuming is important, but the ways in which we get hold of our food is just as important.
Buying produce that’s sourced locally is a great way of reducing the greenhouses gases associated with shipping food from across the world. Although this can be a costly option, an alternative is looking at the food labels in your supermarket and making a conscious choice to only pick foods that have been sourced locally.
- Say no to fast fashion
Sticking to what you know is the safest option, we get it. However, buying from fast fashion brands is one of the most harmful acts for the environment and one that can be combatted with relative ease. Instead of heading to the shopping mall for your new clothes, buy from second hand stores or an app like Vinted which offer second-hand items for low prices.
- Invest in your home
With energy prices rising to record levels, many people are now anxiously watching their heating meter each time they touch the thermostat. If you’re one of these people, fear not. There are alternatives!
Many companies offer eco funding solutions if you decide you want to fork out a bit of money in the short term. By arranging to have insulation installed in your home, you’re actively saving yourself from horrendous energy bills whilst doing your bit for the environment. Because heat rises, the majority of heat you’ll be losing in your home is through your roof. Invest in loft insulation to maintain the heat you have within your home and prevent paying extra on heat that’s literally floating away.
- Go eco with your transportation
While electric cars seem to be the way forward, the vast majority of us can’t afford to purchase one on a whim. Luckily, there are other options that don’t involve polluting the planet to such a great extent.
Public transport is one of the most cost-effective ways to travel nowadays, especially with the price of fuel still increasing. By booking tickets in advance or paying for a railcard you can guarantee yourself a few extra pounds. Sometimes car travel is essential, though. If this is the case, try to car share as much as possible to save on fuel costs and air pollution. Similarly, there are cheaper ways to travel abroad than to take a plane, so be sure to check all of your options before committing to an airplane holiday.
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