By Sarah Anderson

Are you aware of the impact you have on the environment? You probably already know that protecting the environment is important, but did you know that it’s crucial to the health, quality of life, and survival of all living species on the planet. Humans are responsible for the environmental damage we see today, and this is already having a measurable impact on our planet, for example – sea levels are rising, causing flooding across the globe, and there are obvious increases in temperatures all across the planet, leading to dangerous weather patterns and devastating storms.

The good news is – there are plenty of ways to become more sustainable. If you care about the environment, chances are you’ve already taken steps to avoid polluting it. Perhaps you use solar energy or drive an electric or hybrid car. However, once you’ve exhausted the obvious options, it can be difficult to think of new ways to reduce your carbon footprint. If you find yourself in this position, then here are a few unexpected ideas you might not have considered:

Reduce Your Meat Consumption

Researchers at the University of Oxford found that cutting meat and dairy products from your diet could reduce an individual’s carbon footprint from food by up to 73 per cent! They state that adopting a vegan diet could be the single biggest way to reduce your environmental impact on Earth. With so many amazing meat-free and dairy-free alternatives available nowadays, it’s easy to follow a vegetarian or vegan diet. Try reducing the amount of meat and dairy you eat and you will be able to dramatically reduce your carbon footprint, while also leading a healthier lifestyle.

Install A Septic Tank

Out of all the water on the planet, only 1% is drinkable, so we must preserve this precious, life-giving liquid. One way to conserve water and reduce pollution is by installing a sewage disposal system at home. You can do this by fitting a septic tank. This is a sewage solution and wastewater treatment for houses that aren’t attached to the general waste system. The major aim of wastewater treatment is to reduce contaminants to acceptable levels and remove as much of the suspended solids as possible, to make the water safe for discharge back into the environment. This helps to reduce the amount of toxic chemicals entering our water systems and contaminating our water supply. It is also worth noting that commercial waste plants often treat sewage using chemicals which are harmful to the environment. Whereas a septic tank will allow the waste to break down naturally without the use of harsh chemicals, meaning that your personal waste isn’t going to damage the environment.

Avoid Fast Fashion

Our taste for cheap, fast, and disposable fashion is hurting our environment. People are purchasing more clothes than ever before and replacing them more often, leading to more waste and increased carbon emissions. The fashion industry is currently contributing more to climate change than air and sea travel combined! According to Recycling Waste World – “300,000 tonnes of textiles have been thrown away in the UK alone in the past five years.” The manufacturing of clothing produces vast amounts of water and toxic chemicals that are then released into the environment, causing water and air pollution. To avoid this, why not try buying second-hand clothes from charity shops? You could find some amazing vintage items at a bargain! Or, search for sustainable fashion brands to reduce your environmental impact when shopping.

Use garden worms

You may be surprised to hear that garden worms are extremely helpful when it comes to recycling. If you don’t have a compost bin, consider starting one to help you recycle old food and plant waste. Once you have one set up, add a few worms to it. The worms will eat all of the leftovers, turning it into a valuable type of fertiliser that you can then use on your garden. The worms will keep recycling old plant matter into the new soil, so you can keep your garden looking great and help save the environment at the same time!

Final Thought

Don’t forget – Earth is our home, so we need to look after it! It’s everyone’s responsibility to take care of the environment and make this a wonderful place to live. If you have already taken steps to protect our environment then great! But you should still challenge yourself to do your most to keep our world healthy. Try these unexpected tips and reduce your carbon footprint even further!

Sarah Anderson is a freelance writer and CSR consultant. She is passionate about informing on how UK businesses can take the next steps in developing a well-rounded CSR strategy and discover a purposeful cause. When she isn’t researching or writing, she can be found on the coast enjoying long walks with her lurcher or at the forefront of a local beach clean.