1. Invest in a reusable water bottle
According to the United Nations, the production of plastic is set to double over the next 20 years, despite increasing awareness of its detrimental impact on the environment. By using a reusable water bottle, you can help to reduce plastic waste.
Reducing the need for disposable or single use plastic water bottles is a key initiative for the sustainability movement. Investing in a reusable bottle means that every time you fill up, you’ve reduced the use of yet another plastic bottle. Easy to use refill stations are increasingly available at airports, public transport stations, schools, and Jamatkhanas. You’ll very quickly recoup the initial cost of your reusable bottle and soon you’ll be saving money, and the planet!
You can use a glass bottle to avoid the risk of staining, or stainless steel which is robust and can help keep drinks cool. Whichever type you choose, you’ll be helping to reduce the need for plastic, and think about the fun of picking out a bottle and design that showcases your personality!
2. Buy second-hand clothes
The Fashion industry has, in general, a very detrimental impact on the environment, contributing up to 10 per cent of global carbon emissions. The relentless pursuit of the latest fashion drives the demand for raw materials, quick and energy inefficient manufacturing, and transportation and distribution across the Globe.
To help reduce the negative impact of fast fashion, think about buying second-hand instead. A trip to your local charity shop, school fete, or jumble sale is fun, unique, and definitely cheaper than a visit to the shopping mall or high street chain store! Just think how unique you would look in a recycled outfit from 10 or 20 years ago? Also, there’s no risk of anyone wearing the same thing as you at the next function you attend.
In addition, why not donate all your ‘no longer worn’ clothes to others? Giving to charity shops or community groups like Ismaili CIVIC helps the items to quickly reach those most in need, and helps support their work. Donating clothes also reduces the volume of waste reaching landfill sites. A quick tip - open your wardrobe and identify anything you haven’t worn for 12 months. Donate it, you’ll probably never wear it again!
3. Reduce your meat intake
The farming and production of meat products have some of the worst impacts on the environment. Greenpeace has stated that “The climate impact of meat is enormous – roughly equivalent to all the driving and flying of every car, truck and plane in the world.”
In addition, meat is a relatively expensive ingredient, and consumed in excess is not good for human health.
Set yourself a target to gradually reduce meat consumption to perhaps once or twice a week. Maybe start with meat-free Mondays? You’re likely to enjoy the health benefits as well as the savings in your weekly grocery bill. There’s a whole world of creative and exciting non-meat options to explore, experiment, and enjoy!
4. Take public transport where possible
The biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions is transportation. Using public transport, which is often more sustainable than travelling by car, can be a great way to reduce carbon emissions, as well as help your city or country achieve its goal of becoming ‘net-zero.’
Public transport might not always feel like good value for money, but over time, picking the most cost-effective times for travelling, and by eliminating the need for other forms of transport, like owning a car, the opportunity to save money definitely exists.
Buses and trains use less energy and produce less pollution per person than travelling by private vehicles, and also lead to improved air quality for people who live close to busy roads. Once you’ve cracked using public transport, the next challenge is to get on your bicycle and save money, save the planet, and get fit!
5. Reduce, reuse, recycle
Plastic build-up in oceans and landfill sites is a major problem for the entire planetary ecosystem. According to the Earth Policy Institute, “Worldwide, a trillion single-use plastic bags are used each year, nearly 2 million each minute.” Reusing plastics or disposing of them in an environmentally responsible way is essential for our wildlife and our planet.
Think about investing in a reusable shopping bag – preferably one made from sustainable material in a sustainable way – a jute bag is a good option. When purchasing fruit and vegetables, try to find loose items and not products with excess plastic packaging. Farmers markets and local stores can be a good place to source produce that hasn’t been packaged, refrigerated, and transported.
If you do purchase items in plastic, try to check if the packaging can be recycled. Alternatively, see if you can reuse the plastic yourself for an alternative purpose, such as using plastic bottles for storing rice or other dry foods, or using them in arts and crafts.
Building a better world
Mawlana Hazar Imam has often expressed the importance of looking after our environment and highlighted that each of us has a part to play in its care. In a speech made in Ottawa, Canada in November 2013, he said, “Our faith constantly reminds us to observe and be thankful for the beauty of the world and the universe around us, and our responsibility and obligation, as good stewards of God’s creation, is to leave the world in a better condition than we found it.”
Future generations depend on our actions to leave behind a better world for them. There’s a long way to go, and there’s lots to be done. These five tips are a great start.
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Laila Shariff is a graduate student of Digital Marketing at the Henley Business School, University of Reading, and currently serves as an Intern with The Ismaili.
