- Mindful purchasing habits can significantly cut your carbon emissions
- The Action Wheel offers practical steps to overcome eco-shopping barriers
- Key actions include buying goods with less packaging, making fewer purchases, and using less paper
While the UK has cut its carbon emissions in the last 20 years, our reliance on imported goods means our true impact on the planet is still significant.
While the best way to cut carbon emissions in the long term is to invest in clean technology, such as solar panels, there are lots of things we can all do everyday to make a difference.
The majority (70%) of UK consumers are willing to shop more sustainably, but navigating cost concerns, greenwashing campaigns, and misinformation still present major barriers.
This is where The Action Wheel comes in. Providing consumers with research-backed guidance on how to make more environmentally friendly purchases. From buying in bulk to seeking out pre-loved goods, the resource outlines which steps actually make a difference, helping to take the fuss out of going green.
If you’re interested in shrinking your shopping, we’ve rounded up four of its recommended actions to give you some pointers to help you take action today.
Rethinking daily purchases
Every purchase carries a hidden carbon footprint.
In fact, consumer expenditure accounted for 24.6% of the UK’s total emissions in 2022, making being mindful about what you buy, how you use it, and what you do with it afterwards a profound way to lighten your environmental impact.
Fortunately, the majority (78%) of UK consumers already consider sustainability an important factor when shopping.
This growing consciousness about eco-consumption is forcing retailers to take action, with major high street names like H&M, Asda, and M&S recently making pledges to source materials more sustainably, or rethink their packaging.
You don’t need to spend a fortune to go green, either. As the UK grapples with an overconsumption crisis, with the average UK person consuming 20% more than the global average, consuming less is one of the most impactful ways to lower our collective carbon footprint.
For instance, supporting the circular economy by buying products second-hand could cut material use by 40%, while scaling back consumption overall would make an even more lasting impact.
4 steps to more sustainable shopping
Reconsidering the goods you buy and cutting down on consumption altogether is a vital way to support a healthier planet.
Here are some ways to enact change through your purchase behaviour, based on insights from The Action Wheel:
1- Buy goods with less packaging
The UK throws away around 12 million tons of packaging waste annually, placing a huge burden on landfill and causing major disruption to local ecosystems.
The good news? Consumers can intercept this cycle by being more selective about the products they buy.
- Buy refillable products – Instead of buying new containers each time, check if there’s a refill store near you. As the trend gains momentum in the UK, major retailers like ASDA have started rolling out refill zones, and websites like Zero Waste Locator and Refill.org.uk can also be used to help you find refill stations in your local area.
- Purchase products in bulk – Buying goods in large quantities can drastically reduce packaging. It also has the added advantage of working out cheaper per unit in the long run. Considering using retailers like Costco and Scoop Wholefoods to buy items that you use all the time in bulk.
- Opt out of multiple shipments for online purchases – When shopping online, look for options that consolidate your order into fewer deliveries, even if it means you end up waiting a little longer for your package to arrive.
2 – Make fewer purchases
Every purchase we make has a hidden environmental cost. So, cutting down consumption in general is the most effective purchase-based decision you can make.
Here are some quick actions you can take to curb your reliance on new goods:
- Invest in high-quality textiles – Research brands known for ethical production, and check reviews to verify the quality of the goods. While the initial cost may be higher, you’ll be less likely to have to replace it in the near future. Think about the cost per wear.
- Buy used items – By purchasing pre-loved items, from kitchen appliances to personal technology and clothing, you directly prevent items from going to landfill and reduce the demand for new manufacturing. Start by browsing in your local charity shops or sites like Vinted, Facebook Marketplace or eBay.
- Upcycle old furniture – Instead of buying new, give love to old or discarded furniture. By making minor repairs, applying a lick of paint, or refurbishing fabric, you can drastically extend the life of an item and prevent it from being scrapped.
3 – Lower your textile waste
According to WRAP’s Textiles Market Situation Report, the UK produces approximately 1.45 million tonnes of textile waste annually.
This huge volume is largely driven by the rapid production cycles of fast fashion, making reconsidering how we consume clothing more important than ever.
- Purchased used clothing – When possible, avoid purchasing from fast fashion retailers, and buy second-hand clothing instead. You can start by exploring what’s on offer in charity shops or online marketplaces like Depop or Vinted.
- Share clothes with friends – Organise clothes swap or swishing parties where your friends can bring unwanted clothing to exchange with others. Or, simply borrow clothes from friends and family instead of investing in new outfits.
- Rent outfits for special occasions – Consider renting clothing items for special events like weddings or parties, instead of splashing out on an outfit you’ll only wear once. Start by checking out platforms like By Rotation, HURR, or My Wardrobe HQ.
4 – Use less paper
Paper production is incredibly resource-intensive, demanding vast amounts of water and energy. So, making small steps to lower your paper consumption is an important action you can take to alleviate these environmental pressures.
- Cut out print media subscriptions – Instead of buying physical newspapers and magazines, reduce demand for virgin paper by opting for digital-only media subscriptions or accessing content through news websites.
- Opt in to paperless billing – Switch all your bills and statements to electronic versions. This can be done easily by contacting your utility providers and requesting the change.
- Use a cloth instead of paper towels – Make a conscious choice to replace single-use paper towels with reusable cloth alternatives. You can even cut up old towels or t-shirts to use instead.
Rethink your buying habits today
Breaking free of established habits isn’t easy, but you don’t have to overhaul your shopping cart overnight. Small changes, combined, can still significantly reduce our collective carbon output.
Here are some tips to kick-start your journey towards more sustainable purchasing.
- Start small. Pick one or two simple actions from the list, like opting for digital billing or buying refillable products, to begin with.
- Download second-hand marketplace platforms like Depop and Vinted to see what goods are on offer.
- Take stock of your current consumption behaviour, so you can identify which habits you’d like to adjust.
- Focus on the upshots of making greener purchases, from saving money to restoring the life of old, loved items.
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Watch Lucy Shea, CEO of Futerra, talk about The Action Wheel on episode 8 of Positive Energy below:
