St James The Great

​Old Milverton, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire

​Geoff's Eco Tips

​Geoff’s Eco-Resolution for April: Reduce single-use plastics.

The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. Genesis 2:15

Dear All,

Trying to add each monthly resolution on top of each other and ‘build up’ changes in lifestyle for the better over the whole year looks like it could be about to get more difficult in our household! Overall, we have done well (and have continued to do so) at February’s ‘walk or use a bike’ in place of local journeys by car wherever we can.

Since early in March, we have been using suppliers such as ‘Hello Fresh’ or ‘Gousto’ for our weekday evening meals, which has resulted in virtually ‘no food waste’. These services supply all the ingredients in exactly the right amounts necessary to cook a fresh and healthy meal and you can choose from a large menu.

However, one thing I notice is that there is a degree of plastic packaging (such as little sachets of sauces or spices and smaller packets of meat and vegetables), which now needs careful consideration in respect of this month’s resolution (see below) from

12 Best Green Resolutions for Every Month in 2025: A Guide to Sustainable Living | What is Green Living?.

I hope you are enjoying working each month at a different aspect of taking better care of our wonderful world as much as we are.

With love Geoff

Reduce Single-use Plastics

Single-use plastics are everywhere, from grocery bags to water bottles. While convenient, they’re wreaking havoc on our planet. Without action, the volume of plastic entering our oceans could triple by 2040, according to the Pew Charitable Trusts.

Easy Swaps to Cut Down on Plastics

Start by replacing single-use items with reusable alternatives. Bring your own tote bags to the store, invest in a reusable water bottle, and choose glass or stainless steel containers over plastic ones. Support brands that use sustainable packaging, and don’t shy away from voicing your preferences as a consumer.

The Impact of Change

Reducing plastic waste can decrease marine pollution by 80%, according to UNESCO. Beyond the environmental benefits, tackling plastic pollution could save over $2 trillion annually in costs to tourism, fisheries, and other industries affected by this crisis. Dr. Sarah-Jeanne Royer (Oceanographer) emphasizes, “Single-use plastics harm marine life and contribute significantly to greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing their use is vital for our oceans.”