Tips to a more sustainable life

Prime Production Ltd - Tips for a More sustainable Life

The climate crisis is still raging. A year ago, news headlines were dominated by the climate youth movement and a sense of urgency. But COVID-19 has displaced that interest and awareness. In fact, the causes of both crises share attributes, and their effects are parallel. The climate emergency and COVID-19, a zoonotic disease, are both borne of human activity that has led to environmental degradation. However, aligning responses presents an opportunity to improve public health, create a sustainable economic future, and better protect the planet’s remaining natural resources and biodiversity.

Prime Production specialises in the area of Sustainable Development, working with organisations such as UN Environment, to translate their key messages within reports, leaflets and website text. This news item got the Prime team thinking about how we could be more sustainable, so here are our top five tips on how to live a greener life:

1. Remember to take a sustainable cup and bag with you wherever you go to avoid single-use plastic, and to save money. For example, many coffee chains now give out discounts for bringing your own coffee cup. Many food stores, such as Morrison’s and Tesco’s have started to encourage shoppers to bring in their own Tupper wear when ordering at deli counters and butcher counters, as well as removing as much single use plastic as possible, the most recent being the removal of single use plastic on multiple packs of tinned foods. Since the introduction of the charge on all plastic bags across all shops in the UK it has also encouraged shoppers to being their own. Other chains like wholefoods also allow you to fill your own jars and bags with pasta, grains and seeds, in an effort to reuse and recycle what we already own.

2. Have you ever thought about making your own cleaning products? With ingredients that are likely to already be in your cupboards, you can instantly save money by creating your own detergents. From vinegar and water, to bars of soap, you can keep your clothes clean and fresh, minus the chemicals, oils and plastic packaging. To further reduce plastic consumption, partner your new detergents with natural cloths or rags of unworn clothing, instead of plastic scrubbers and sponges.

3. In an ideal world, we would all support our local markets and buy fresh produce, but when working in the city, it can be hard to ignore nearby food outlets and their lunchtime deals. To avoid temptation, you could sign up your office for a fruit and vegetable box from Oddbox, an organisation committed to fighting food waste. They deliver boxes of surplus produce from farms directly to your door, allowing your team to enjoy a host of healthy snacks. You could also use left overs or bring prepared lunches from home to increase that reduce of plastic waste and makes sure food and meals are being fully used and eaten.

4. Be conscious when ordering products online. With the current pandemic and everyone staying at home there has been a surge in online shopping and home deliveries. Whilst it is a time-saver, you are not only paying for the product, but you are also paying for delivery and packaging, which can include a cardboard box, bubble wrap and extra layers of tissue paper. Let’s say no to excess packaging and inform the larger retail brands that we, the consumer, are looking to shop in an eco-friendlier fashion.

5. With more people working from home, and with home-schooling, we are forever repurchasing glue sticks and pens, all of which eventually get thrown away. So, why not consider switching to refillable fountain pens? Not only will your penmanship look more professional, but it will be one step closer towards helping the environment. Even making your glue isn’t too difficult – all you need is flour and water.

Whilst these changes can appear somewhat eccentric to some, the message here is to take care of items you already own, and to reduce consumption of single-use plastic items that you repeatedly buy and throw away. Sustainable development is not a choice, but a necessity so, whether you become a conscious consumer, or whether you decide to live plastic-free, your individual acts will collectively lead to a greener planet.

Should your latest project on plastic pollution require translation, or should you need an interpretation service for your next meeting on climate change, consider us your one-stop language provider. With a wealth of experience in the field of sustainable development, we are connected to a network of linguistic expertise around the world who will ensure that your message is well received by your target audience.

Head to our website for further information on our services or contact us directly to discuss your next project in further detail.

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