Creating energy from your clutter!
The fight to save the planet seems incredibly daunting to everyone. The word is out how big the problem is, with scientists agreeing that we have 12 years to change our destructive ways (and more recently another group said we only had 5 years!). It really is a terrifying concept, but one we must meet with optimism and a dash of activism.
One thing that we struggle with a lot in my house is clutter. We have a LOT of stuff! Recently we have gone through a huge declutter of the loft which was difficult but incredibly satisfying. We sent many bags to charity which is a brilliant thing to do for the planet. You would not think that charity shops help save the planet, but they do in more ways than one!
1) Thinking before you buy - reduces clutter and waste in your life.
Consumers have a huge power and influence over what is sold in shops. This is quite a responsibility. THINKING before you BUY is very important. When I buy something I often ask myself a few questions.
Is this something I need?
Am I going to get really good use out of this thing that I am buying?
What is it made of, could I buy the same thing with less packaging or less damaging materials?
For example, most children toys now are made of plastic and need batteries. They make for a less imaginative play for kids, which personally I think is not a good thing. However, you can buy beautiful wooden made toys for kids, which are more robust, will last longer and do not need batteries. Also wooden toys often come with less packaging. I call that a win.
2) De-cluttering and giving to charity instead of throwing away.
I Think this one is huge. I don't know how many people actually give their old things to charity, or sell them on at car boot sales or on e-bay. Think about how much stuff you have in your room, now think about how much of that stuff you use on a regular basis. Could you get rid of some of it? If it is in working order, give it to charity. Or if you think it is worth too much money to give away, try selling it to make a little profit. You are giving your things a second life, and freeing yourself from clutter at the same time.
3) Buying clothes from charity shops
As discussed in my previous blog post, fabric takes quite a bit of energy and chemicals to create first time around. So by giving your old clothes to charity shops or buying them from charity shops, you are essentially making that energy go further. You can get some very good quality clothing from charity shops and at a fraction of the price you would pay for them new. What's not to like about that? You are also supporting charities, and putting less chemicals/ pollution into the environment.
Being environmentally friendly isn't just about using less plastic it is about being thoughtful about purchases you make, giving things to charity shops or selling them onto second owners and finally, if something is not in shape for reuse, recycling it. Clothes are recyclable, so if you have any that are not wearable, make sure you take them to a local clothes bin.
One thing that we struggle with a lot in my house is clutter. We have a LOT of stuff! Recently we have gone through a huge declutter of the loft which was difficult but incredibly satisfying. We sent many bags to charity which is a brilliant thing to do for the planet. You would not think that charity shops help save the planet, but they do in more ways than one!
1) Thinking before you buy - reduces clutter and waste in your life.
Consumers have a huge power and influence over what is sold in shops. This is quite a responsibility. THINKING before you BUY is very important. When I buy something I often ask myself a few questions.
Is this something I need?
Am I going to get really good use out of this thing that I am buying?
What is it made of, could I buy the same thing with less packaging or less damaging materials?
For example, most children toys now are made of plastic and need batteries. They make for a less imaginative play for kids, which personally I think is not a good thing. However, you can buy beautiful wooden made toys for kids, which are more robust, will last longer and do not need batteries. Also wooden toys often come with less packaging. I call that a win.
2) De-cluttering and giving to charity instead of throwing away.
I Think this one is huge. I don't know how many people actually give their old things to charity, or sell them on at car boot sales or on e-bay. Think about how much stuff you have in your room, now think about how much of that stuff you use on a regular basis. Could you get rid of some of it? If it is in working order, give it to charity. Or if you think it is worth too much money to give away, try selling it to make a little profit. You are giving your things a second life, and freeing yourself from clutter at the same time.
3) Buying clothes from charity shops
As discussed in my previous blog post, fabric takes quite a bit of energy and chemicals to create first time around. So by giving your old clothes to charity shops or buying them from charity shops, you are essentially making that energy go further. You can get some very good quality clothing from charity shops and at a fraction of the price you would pay for them new. What's not to like about that? You are also supporting charities, and putting less chemicals/ pollution into the environment.
Being environmentally friendly isn't just about using less plastic it is about being thoughtful about purchases you make, giving things to charity shops or selling them onto second owners and finally, if something is not in shape for reuse, recycling it. Clothes are recyclable, so if you have any that are not wearable, make sure you take them to a local clothes bin.
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| Photography taken on film by me, taken in Wales. |
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