1. Look local

Buying locally produced food means less transport and less CO2 emissions. This will help minimise greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change.

 

2. Select new seafood

Some species of fish are at risk of being fished to extinction. By choosing different fish species, you can help contribute to reducing the overfishing of some species.

 

3. Eat more plants

Plants and crops produce a higher volume of calories per hectare of space. This can help reduce the amount of CO2 emissions to produce food.

 

4. Cut waste

Approximately 30% of food is wasted. By shopping more consciously, you can reduce waste food which will help cut emissions.

 

5. Eat what’s in season

By only eating what is in season, you reduce the need to import food from abroad and as a result, reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions.

 

6. Grow your own food

By growing your own food you reduce the number of fertilizers and pesticides used to produce food and reduce the amount of greenhouse gas emissions used to transport food.

 

7. Buy fair trade

Buying Fairtrade means you support workers in countries where the raw materials are grown.

 

8. Bulk shop

Bulk buying reduces the number of materials used to package the product and reduces packaging from ending up in landfill sites.

 

9. Buy ‘ugly’ fruit and veg

Often, fruit and veg that is perfectly good to eat are thrown away because it doesn’t look good. By eating the ‘ugly’ fruit and veg you will reduce food waste.

 

10. Ditch plastic straws

Switching to metal or bamboo straws will reduce plastic pollution from straws.

 

11. Carry reusable utensils

In a bid to live (and eat) more sustainably, prepare a personalized toolkit with reusable substitutes, such as a fork from home, wooden chopsticks, or a foldable spork.

 

12. Invest in a reusable coffee cup and a water bottle

While we definitely can’t kick the habit of having a daily brew, we can certainly swap a disposable cup for a reusable mug or tumbler—and the same can be said about plastic water bottles, too.

 

13. Tote a reusable bag

Whether it’s made from sturdy canvas or an upcycled t-shirt, these staples of sustainable living are a must-have for anyone looking to reduce plastic consumption on a spree.

 

14. Shop the pantry first

The first rule of thumb is thinking (and eating) sustainably is to use what we already have available, that way we avoid food waste by not buying too much at the store.

 

15. Buy package free

Plastic wrap on fruits, vegetables, and meats is one of the most challenging single-use plastics to avoid, especially in the grocery store. Try shopping the perimeter for package-free vegetables or head straight to the store’s bulk food section to stock up on loose grains, nuts, flours and more.

 

16. Dine-in, not delivery

Enjoy a sit-down dinner with reusable plates and cutlery to avoid the single-use plastic utensils, straws, and containers that come with deliveries. If delivery is a must, be sure to request little-to-no plastic packaging because remember, every step counts!

 

17. Start a meal-prep routine

One way to reduce eating out and buying packaged food on a whim is meal prepping ahead of time.

 

18. Go meat-free for a day

Considering the livestock industry (including meat, milk, and eggs) is one of the world’s leading causes of deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions, adopting a diet with less meat is easily one of the greatest feats a person can do for the environment.

 

19. Get creative with veggie scraps

When it does come time to peel and cut away at vegetables, store the scraps in the freezer for later use in making vegetable stocks. Carrot tops, onion skins—the list is limitless. Just be sure to wash them all before the boil.

 

20. Regrow your vegetables

It’s not always necessary to use every part of the vegetable, like the roots. Instead of throwing these out though, research how you might be able to start your own in-house (or outside) garden. This works especially well for onions, celeries, lettuce, potatoes, and scallions. To get started, all you need is a window and a little bit of light.