How to be Sustainable this Winter

As we all prepare for the winter season, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement of the festivities. However, it’s important to take a moment to think about our impact on the planet. Global warming and climate change are serious issues that continue to affect our world. Although they may not be making headlines at the moment, they are just as pressing as they have ever been. That’s why it’s important to think about how we can be more sustainable this winter season. From switching to reusable bags to reducing our energy usage, there are plenty of ways we can do our part and have a little fun while we’re at it.

Eat Or Give

Food waste is one of the most prominent issues related to the winter season. We tend to overeat during this time. This is not unusual of course, eating helps to generate internal heat, subsequently leading to a rise in body temperature which is beneficial in the cold weather. However, these tendencies can often lead to overeating and overbuying food.

Excessive dinners have a massive impact on the environment as large amounts of our food end up in the trash. To avoid overeating and to reduce food waste this winter practice portion control. If you have overbought please donate to food banks in London who are struggling to provide enough food to Londoners.

Warm Up With Using Less Energy

Cold temperatures are also a culprit in heightened emissions during this season. With higher than usual proportions of the population working from home this winter, we could see the nation’s energy bills rise to as much as £1.9 billion between October and March. Heating alone accounts for about 40% of our energy consumption, with approximately 95% of that coming from non-renewable energy resources. It doesn’t have to be that way! Here are five things you can do to decrease energy consumption, save money on your heating bills, and do your part in saving the environment!

• Keep the thermostat low, there’s no need for excess heat!
• Dress for the season, festive jumpers and all! or add more layers of clothing
• Reuse oven heat
• Keep windows closed to preserve heat
• Use hot water bottles

Sustainable Sweater Weather

Winter is coming, and as we enter the season for ‘sweater weather’ you may feel tempted by the copious amounts of readily available and attractively priced clothes. Of course, we can indulge in a little shopping, but we should do this sustainability and responsibly.
Fashion companies are the second-largest polluter in the world and create more emissions than all international flights and maritime shipping combined.

There are, however, many options for climate and human rights friendly fashion. Brands such as Patagonia vow to use sustainable production methods such as the use of recycled plastic bottles in the manufacturing of fleeces. Charity shops are also a great choice as they rely on a reduce-reuse-recycle scheme for the obtainment of the items which they sell.

A Sustainable Winter

As winter approaches, it’s important to consider how we approach sustainability during the colder months. There are many simple steps we can take to reduce our environmental footprint and conserve energy. One way to start is to evaluate our winter wardrobe. By layering clothing and wearing wool or other insulating materials, we can reduce our reliance on indoor heating. Additionally, we can invest in energy-efficient heaters and seal air leaks in our homes to keep energy costs down. Finally, it’s crucial to remember the importance of recycling, composting, and reducing waste, especially during this time of year when there tends to be an increase in packaging and holiday wrapping. By taking small steps like these, we can all do our part to be more sustainable this winter and beyond.

By following these sustainable winter tips, you will be doing your bit in the fight against global warming and will see a bigger bank balance, unless you go on a Patagonia shopping spree.