7 easy and simple tips for a sustainable new year




Looking back over 2019, what we can all agree upon, is that one of the global issues deserving a great deal of attention and change is our home, our planet. At World Merit, we believe that small every-day actions can make a huge difference in the longer period of time. We say, instead of a few people making tremendous life changes, let's all contribute in one way or another to feel better and have a positive impact on our very surroundings!

So, if you are looking for easy and doable tips to live a more sustainable lifestyle for the new year, here you go:

Take Out Your Bike 


It is no secret that most vehicles we use every day (public transport, cars, motorbikes, etc.) produce harmful carbon dioxide. However, not everyone can avoid using these vehicles due to weather or other conditions. What can we do? Time-to-time take out our bike or take a walk to go to school, work or the grocery store. So, next time the weather is nice and we have the chance to go somewhere with our bike, scooter or by foot, let's get that daily exercise in! 

Swap for a Reusable Water Bottle


Did you know that every day in the United Kingdom, 38.5 million plastic bottles are used but only one-third of them end up recycled? Certainly, 365 days x 38.5 million plastic bottles is too much our minds and environment can handle. For the New Year, by switching to a reusable water bottle (which also is friendlier for our wallets) you can easily save around 150 plastic bottles from ending up in the oceans and landfills by the end of 2020. 

Turn Off Your Lights When You Leave a Room.


This might be an obvious one, but it there is a reason why you have probably heard it before. Switching the lights off when you leave the room is as easy as it sounds. However, to make a greater difference try switching off other electronic appliances when you leave the house or go to sleep, for instance, your WiFi box. 

Repair & Buy Second-hand


We know that a low price comes at other high costs. The fast fashion industry is one of the largest CO2 emitters, contributing to 1.2 billion tons of carbon dioxide every year. Even though fast fashion is still in high-demand, there is something each of us can do. 1. Repair the clothing you own when possible 2. Check out the nearest second-hand store for some unique finds. 3. Sell, donate or recycle the clothing items you don't use. By implementing one or all three of these tips, you will find a new appreciation for clothes & save on expenses in a simple manner!

Save on Water

Let's be honest, which of us have ever left the water running when we clean our face or brush our teeth? Well, probably at some point we all have done this! However, by giving some attention to this activity next time, it will become one of the easiest ways to save water every single day. Okay, saving a bit of water every day is easier than we thought. 

Reuse Empty Glass Jars and Bottles


Have you ever seen the artsy Pinterest DIYs? These steps are simple, we promise!
1. Clean the jar
2. Use it for cotton buds, cotton pads, bobby pins, hair ties, decoration, homemade face scrub, homemade jam or really anything else! At the end of the day, you will have contributed to a better environment and finally found a place where to store your breakfast granola.

How about a Meatless Monday?


A lot of studies about meat consumption's environmental footprint have come to light in the past few years. For instance, did you know that the animal production industry produces the most greenhouse gas emissions than any other industry? Yes, shocking. Also, to produce just one kg of beef, 22,500 litres of water is needed. So, by reducing our meat consumption even by little, it can actually do wonders for our environment!

Happy New Year to all our World Merit Members! Let's have a great 2020!

Comments

  1. Thank you very much for the advice. They will help us a lot to live the year 2020 well. Only, I ask myself a question: is it not time to fight against the production of packaging and plastic bottles? I think that if we do not move towards this, our action risks being stifled before reaching the expected results.

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