5 Steps to a More Sustainable Life

5 Steps to a More Sustainable Life

June 19, 2019

With a rapidly changing climate landscape, we are more encouraged now than ever to make small changes to our lifestyle to live a more sustainable life. And with the rise and success of eco-friendly brands around the world it is clear that consumers are actively seeking out companies committed to improving the environment. It’s refreshing to see people looking outwards to make a real change to their environment!

Here at YCB we are committed to using our scale for good and working to find sustainable tips for our readers, and so we teamed up with home management company Hoppy to explore five ways we can all live a little greener.

1. Eat your way to a greener life

Not everyone has the time to prepare their lunch ahead of the working day and instead opt to buy their daytime meals from nearby shops/restaurants. However, many of these ‘on-the-go’ options come in some form of single use plastic packaging. Set aside 15 minutes every evening to prepare your lunch for the next day using your own Tupperware and you’ll drastically reduce your use of plastic – as well as saving yourself a lot of money too!

2. Step back to simpler times

Did you know that milk deliveries are still a regular occurrence in some parts of the country, including major cities such as London. Ditch the plastic bottled milk available in supermarkets and sign up for regular deliveries of milk and a variety of juices in milk bottles straight to your door!

3. Help the environment with every hair wash

Shower gels, bubble baths, shampoos and conditioners are regular household buys that bring plastic into the home. Why not think about the alternatives to these everyday products that come in more sustainable forms; swap up your shower gel and even your shampoo for high quality solid forms instead. While you’re reducing your plastic use in the bathroom, cutting your shower time down by just a few minutes will also contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.

4. Buy seasonal and stay sustainable

Seek out your local green grocer or food market to buy fruit and vegetables where possible. Not only do seasonal ingredients taste a lot better, but their consumption is a lot more sustainable requiring lower levels of artificial input. Buying fruit and vegetables in this way also comes with the attached advantage of supporting local businesses as well as reducing consumption of plastic too!

5. Keep the heat inside to stop the planet warming on the outside

In Britain we can never rely on the weather for too long and all too eagerly turn up the thermostat. However, a third of all heat in our homes is lost through the roof and walls, nudging up our energy usage and monthly costs.

Invest in cavity insulation to reduce heat loss and consequently turn down your thermostat – turning it down by just one degree will save £85! Find out more about how to save energy in your home at Hoppy.co.uk.

Charlotte is the founder and editor-in-chief at Your Coffee Break magazine. She studied English Literature at Fairfield University in Connecticut whilst taking evening classes in journalism at MediaBistro in NYC. She then pursued a BA degree in Public Relations at Bournemouth University in the UK. With a background working in the PR industry in Los Angeles, Barcelona and London, Charlotte then moved on to launching Your Coffee Break from the YCB HQ in London’s Covent Garden and has been running the online magazine for the past 10 years. She is a mother, an avid reader, runner and puts a bit too much effort into perfecting her morning brew.