Post contributed by CF Rad
Hi everyone! This is CF Rad and I hope you are had a great Sustainability Month in February! In light of Sustainability Month, I am writing this to give you some helpful tips on living sustainably during lockdown.
Lockdown is, as has been said many times before, an unprecedented time. Our daily routines have changed, and the new restrictions in place for our safety have also caused a change in our lifestyles. Amidst all of this, we have seen a new rise in the phenomenon of takeout food and package deliveries, necessitated by the requirement to stay at home- inevitably leading to more plastic waste. In the article, I hope to give you some tips on how to keep being sustainable during this time, in a way that benefits both you and the planet!
1. Avoid getting food deliveries to your house.
A simple way to reduce the plastic waste we generate is to cut down on ordering in. If you still want to treat yourself to some food from your favourite restaurant, try visiting them and asking if they can give you your order in reusable boxes- these are easily available at Sainsbury’s, Tesco or any other local supermarket. Making your own food is always great, because knowing what goes into your food is always beneficial. If you must order in, opt for the “No cutlery” option if you have reusable cutlery on you. This also helps reduce plastic waste! Another tip would be to support local businesses as much as you can, as these are the ones suffering most due to lockdown and are more likely to be flexible with delivery options or takeaway needs.
2. Responsible retail therapy
With all the time I’ve had on my hands over the past months of quarantine, I would be lying if I said that I haven’t indulged in some retail therapy to combat the lockdown blues. If you do this as well, it is advisable to opt for the Standard Delivery option wherever possible, as this way your package is likely to be packed using less plastic and the delivery will be more fuel-efficient. When you opt for next-day delivery, your package is likely being sent out to you separately rather than being delivered as part of the delivery company’s area-wise rota, hence wasting more fuel. Another useful tip for shopping during lockdown is to use websites like Depop and Vinted, on which small businesses sell pre-loved or handmade goods, and where you’re also likely to grab some rare vintage finds to stay on trend while staying sustainable! Because these platforms allow you to connect directly with the sellers, you can request them for low-plastic packaging or meet up at a pre-decided area to collect your package too.
3. Re-fill instead of buying new
Visit your local zero-waste to get refills on sanitisers, hand soap or even foodstuff. Now that we know that sanitising and social-distancing are a way of life, why not find ways to make them sustainable too? Take your cleaning or food containers to these zero-waste refill stores and get them refilled instead of buying new. Once again, this is another way to reduce your plastic waste!
4. Handle your waste correctly
While a zero-waste lifestyle is ideal for the environment, it is not feasible for many of us. However, there are ways by which you can reduce your carbon footprint regardless- an easy way to do so is to start composting your food waste, either in your own garden if you have one or at a local composting bin. Compost is great for the ecology of your surroundings and has many benefits for plants if you’re trying to grow them! For non-food waste, you can always sort your waste correctly to help waste and sanitisation workers- who are also essential workers- do their job more easily.
5. DIY more!
The world of DIY is taking over platforms like TikTok, and there’s no reason why we can’t learn from the community! DIY-ing is a great way to save money, learn new skills and reduce waste by using what you already have- it’s a win-win situation and I personally find it really gratifying to make something by myself, start to finish! DIY products have a place in all aspects of our home lives, from the kitchen to the bathroom. The internet is filled with DIY solutions to almost any problem, and if not something home-related, you can certainly make something personal like easy jewellery for yourself or to gift to your loved ones, or perhaps re-usable masks from an old T-shirt you find hard to put away!
I hope these tips were helpful! Do remember to tag #kingsresilife if you try any of these things, we’d love to see your take on these!
