St James The Great
Old Milverton, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire
Geoff's Eco Tips
Geoff’s Eco-Resolutions for July & August:
Start Recycling & Avoid Fast Fashion
Dear All,
I hope you are all well. At the moment, I am using the car a lot travelling to/from Stratford on my Reader placement, so I need to somehow make up in other areas! Here are the ‘What is Green Living’ resolutions for the summer. They are things that you probably already do. I find reminders useful for me though, as it’s easy to slip into bad habits when life gets busy.
With love,
Geoff
July: Start Recycling
Recycling is one of the simplest yet most impactful steps toward a sustainable future. It reduces waste, conserves finite natural resources, and prevents pollution. Despite its importance, the statistics around recycling are alarming. According to the MIT Technology Review, only 9% of all plastics ever produced have been recycled. This means a staggering amount of waste ends up in landfills, polluting our environment and threatening ecosystems.
When waste is not recycled, it often finds its way into the ocean, where it breaks down into microplastics that harm marine life and eventually enter the food chain. Beyond the environmental consequences, improper waste management also strains limited landfill space and increases greenhouse gas emissions as organic materials decompose without proper aeration. Starting a recycling journey doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here’s how you can make a difference in your daily life:
Set Up a Home Recycling System: Start by identifying common recyclables in your household, such as paper, glass, aluminium, and certain plastics. Label separate bins clearly to make sorting easy for everyone at home.
Research Local Recycling Guidelines: Every city or town has specific rules about what can and cannot be recycled. Look up your municipality’s guidelines to ensure you’re sorting waste correctly.
Repurpose and Reuse: Before throwing items into the recycling bin, consider whether they can be repurposed. Glass jars, for example, can be used as storage containers, while old newspapers can be shredded for compost.
Participate in Community Recycling Programs: Some items, such as electronics and hazardous materials, require special handling. Find local drop-off locations for these items to ensure they’re disposed of safely.
The environmental benefits of recycling are immense. Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees, 7000 gallons of water and 380 gallons of oil! Moreover, effective recycling practices can keep millions of tons of waste out of landfills annually. This not only reduces the need for resource extraction but also prevents the release of harmful greenhouse gases like methane.
August: Avoid Fast Fashion
The fashion industry is a significant contributor to environmental degradation, accounting for 10% of global carbon emissions. Fast fashion—cheap, mass-produced clothing—is particularly problematic. It relies on energy-intensive production processes, excessive water usage, and toxic dyes that pollute waterways. To make matters worse, most fast fashion items are designed to be disposable, resulting in vast amounts of textile waste.
Beyond environmental concerns, fast fashion often exploits workers in developing countries, paying them low wages and subjecting them to unsafe working conditions. Here are some ideas to try:
Buy Second-Hand Clothing: Thrift stores and online platforms make it easy to find stylish, pre-loved clothing at a fraction of the cost of new items.
Support Sustainable Brands: Look for companies that prioritize ethical practices, such as using organic materials, reducing waste, and ensuring fair wages for workers.
Host a Clothing Swap: Gather friends and family for a swap event where everyone can trade gently used items. This is a fun and cost-effective way to refresh your wardrobe without contributing to overproduction.
Extend the Life of Your Clothes: Take good care of your garments by washing them at lower temperatures, mending tears, and avoiding trends that quickly go out of style.
According to the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, extending the life of clothing by just nine months can reduce its carbon, water, and waste footprint by 20-30%. Additionally, the fashion industry’s shift toward sustainable practices could significantly reduce its environmental impact.
“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
Ali Foster © 2013