Climate change, deforestation, single-use plastics - the impact of humans on the environment has never been more evident. These issues are now being heard on a global scale, but what can we, as individuals, do to help whilst going about our daily lives? Read on for our top tips on how to go green whilst also saving some cash too…
Reusable Coffee Cups
It’s estimated that we use 2.5 billion disposable coffee cups each year! The majority of the cups and lids are not recyclable and will end up in landfill.
We’re not telling you to ditch your coffee habit for good, but invest in a reusable cup and you’ll be rewarded with up to 25p-50p off in many outlets including Pret-a-Manger, Greggs, Starbucks and Costa.
Cut Food Waste
A huge 7million tonnes of food is wasted every year in the UK alone! One of the best ways to avoid this altogether is to only buy what you need; meal planners and shopping lists can be useful.
Knowing the difference between use-by and best-before dates is also key – in simple terms, a use-by date means something past this date could be risky; particularly perishable items such as meat, fish and dairy. Whereas, a best-before date is a date where manufacturers feel the item will be past its optimum quality. When it comes to fruit and veg – ignore the label and use your judgement!
Free Water Bottle Refills
When out and about it’s important to stay hydrated! But instead of reaching for a bottle of water, why not pack a reusable water bottle and refill it on the go? You might be surprised at the places that will be happy to fill it for you at no cost, even if you’re not a customer, including cafes, restaurants, hotels, shops and airports. Here at Ambitions, we banned the use of plastic cups with water machines and switched to glasses, and have issued all our staff with a reusable water bottle for when they’re out and about.
Get Paid to Recycle
From printer cartridges and mobile phones to toys and games, search online to find out how you can turn items you no longer use into cash, rather than putting them in the bin.
Wardrobe in need of a clear out? Clothing store H&M will exchange a carrier bag full of textiles (any brand, including things unsuitable for charity stores such as damaged items) for a £5 off a £25 spend in store.
Feeling lippy? Make-up brand MAC will send you a free lipstick if you return six used MAC containers.
These are just a small selection, there are now lots of retailers and websites offering similar services.
Bring your own bag!
The 5p carrier bag charge has been in place since 2015, with supermarkets and retailers able to donate proceeds to good causes and charities which goes some way to offset the impact of these bags which take 1000’s of years to biodegrade and can damage wildlife. Go one step further by investing in a long-term solution for your shopping; reusable bags designed for food shopping are widely available. In our office, we like to have our cotton tote bags available for when we need to run to the shop for supplies!