If you have been following us on Facebook, Instagram, or simply reading our blogs, you will know by now that we champion using eco-friendly, sustainable, and organic ingredients and products.
We are of the view that we only have one world and those of us who are planet friendly people who make conscious decisions about the ingredients we use, are here to make a change. We are here to help protect our planet because we have to start somewhere.
We also know that many of you don’t have the beauty of time but would still like to help. By simply deciding that you want to do something to maintain the beautiful world we live in, just know that you are already making the world a better place.
So with all of that in mind, this blog is written just for you to give you a helping hand. We have given below some easy suggestions to help care for the world you live in.
Pick up the litter
Some people will drop litter but it doesn’t mean we like to see it stuck in trees, on grass verges, or beaches. Helping out by picking up the odd piece of litter and putting it in a bin, even if it’s not yours, makes the world look nicer. You may be in your local village or town, on holiday, or visiting relatives. No matter where you are if you feel inclined then pick it up and bin it. There are also plenty of local litter picking initiatives. Check out your local council or community website or Facebook page if you would like to get involved.
Is it Recyclable?
It can do more harm than good putting something in a recycle bin that you assume is material than can be recycled but isn’t. For example, not all plastic is recyclable. So if a plastic carton is put in a bin and clogs up the council recycling machine, it takes extra resources to fix that machine which can drain on the earth’s natural resources. These resources will run out at some point if we don’t look after what we have, so check the package first for the recycle sign.
Cut up your fruit nets
Supermarkets still tend to use fruit nets, particularly on citrus fruits like oranges, lemons, and limes. If these are put into your general waste bin without being cut up first, they put the lives of animals at risk. They can get trapped around beaks, feet, and wings easily so be sure to cut it up into tiny pieces to protect our wildlife.
Plastic is dangerous
Councils are going to great lengths to introduce recycling for all plastic materials. But there will be some types that can’t be put in the recycle bin and will end up blown away or in the ocean. Like with the fruit nets, cut up this non-recyclable plastic. It will lower the risk of animals swallowing things like straws and plastic wrapping (see our Beeswax wraps on our Etsy shop at the end of this blog for a more eco-friendly alternative for food storage.)
Use smokeless fuel
There is nothing nicer than a real fire or log burner, particularly in the winter when you can smell the real fires and they give you that homely feeling. Whilst it’s still not ideal and completely eco-friendly, use smokeless fuel where possible and limit the use of your real fire so you don’t pollute the air.
Buy vintage
There is no denying that things have been tough this year for a lot of people financially. So it appears that charity shops and vintage clothes are coming back into fashion. When you look at the second hand and vintage market you can pick up some real bargains and it means you are saving the planet too.
There are also some clothes shops now that give you a voucher for their store if you take in clothes to be recycled. So not only are you saving the planet, you are saving money too.
If you haven’t shopped vintage before or been in a charity shop, have a look online first at websites that sell vintage clothes and second-hand furniture. And next time you are on your high street, step into a charity shop and have a good look around, you will be surprised at the nice things you find.
Give your food waste to the compost bin
Some councils provide separate bins for food waste and some don’t. But that doesn’t mean you have to put your food waste in the general waste bin. The more general waste bins are filled, the more transport is required to empty them which means drawing more on the earth’s natural resources to provide the fuel for the bin lorries.
Build a compost heap for your food waste, or give your leftover green leaves from things like cabbages and cauliflowers to rabbits and guinea pigs.
Buy the wonky fruit and veg
A few years ago supermarkets would only supply the most perfect fruit and vegetables because as consumers, that’s all we would buy. If a carrot or pepper was out of shape no one wanted them. But suddenly wonky fruit and vegetables have become more popular. They also prevent food waste because years ago they would simply be thrown away even though they were good enough to eat. Now you can buy the wonky ones and save money too because they are generally a lot cheaper. And besides, it doesn’t matter what shape they are, they all go down the same way.
Refill your bottles
The number of shops and supermarkets that enable you to re-fill household cleaning products is on the rise. They save plastic waste, money, and help the planet. You simply take your used washed bottle to the store and re-fill it.
Buy loose fruit and vegetables
More supermarkets are providing paper bags for fruit and vegetables instead of plastic, and are cutting out plastic wrapping on their products. Plastic may be convenient but it’s damaging to the planet. Paper bags can be recycled, or even better don’t use small bags at all. Just put everything straight into one big shopping bag when you have paid for your groceries.
We hope you find those suggestions useful. If you have any more ideas that we may not have heard about then feel free to share by email to the address below.
Our Ethos
Northern Flock cares for your world, promotes recycling, and helps save the planet by making eco-friendly products and gifts that are kind to you and mother nature.
Visit our shop to treat yourself and buy someone you love a beautiful eco-friendly gift:
www.etsy.com/uk/shop/NorthernFlock
Contact us with any questions you may have at info@northernflock.co.uk
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