World Environment Day (5th June 2024) was established by the United Nations General Assembly to promote awareness of environmental issues and encourage worldwide action to preserve our planet. This year’s campaign focuses on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience.
These are issues that are especially pertinent to the Australian landscape. Even without climate change, the natural variability in Australian rainfall makes our already drought-prone land vulnerable to mega droughts. These are droughts that can last for up to twenty years (check out this link for more info).
So it is important now, more than ever, to get serious about reducing our environmental footprint. Here are 3 things you can do:
Reduce food waste
This is the easiest thing you can start with and it has an added perk of stretching your dollar further. However, reducing food waste isn’t just about keeping food out of landfill. Don’t forget to consider how you can extend the life of your food.
- Meal prep when you can. Buying ingredients in bulk and dedicating some time to batch cooking can help you save money and time. A full fridge also means you’re less likely to rely on takeaway in plastic containers. If you’re worried about not having enough variety, considering exchanging bulk meals with another meal prepper.
- Compost your food waste, including egg shells and coffee grounds. The latter is especially loved by plants which love acidic soils like roses and blueberries. If you don’t have a compost bin, download the Sharewaste app and type in your postcode to see who’s accepting food waste in your neighbourhood.
- Preserve your food. If you have apples that have gotten slightly soft, slice them and pop them into the oven or dehydrator to make chewy apple chips for your lunchbox. Got a glut of fruit or vegetables that you can’t get to in time? Consider making pickles or jams out of them. Here are some great ideas on how to make use of the unexpected motherlode of strawberries one ends up with after strawberry picking.
Embrace secondhand
If you feel like you need some new pieces in your wardrobe, try your nearest op-shop. There are hundreds to choose from all over Perth; with some suburbs housing a few within minutes of each other. It’s a win win for us because not only will you save money, in most instances, you will be helping a charitable cause.
But why limit yourself to clothes? Get into the habit of always checking out second hand shops, marketplaces or your local community pages first for whatever you need. You never know what great deals are waiting for you and your purchase won’t harm the planet!
Support eco conscious businesses
If you do need to buy something new, considering purchasing from a local business which is committed to sustainability. We have some amazing businesses here in Perth going the extra mile:
Sandytoes Beachwear’s founder, Sarah, is a keen diver who is passionate about ocean conservation. Her beach towels are made from recycled plastic bottles and feature Western Australian photography and designs.
The Inspired Eco Warrior sells environmentally-friendly household products that are derived from plant based oils and fats and are free from unnecessary fillers and additives. She also offers a subscription service where she delivers your refills and takes away eligible containers for reuse or recycling.
Eco Verdant is ushering in a new era of luxury in fragrance where nasty chemicals are cancelled. Eco Verdant’s range of fragrances exclusively utlises 100% pure essential oils and plant materials that are ethically sourced. So you can treat yourself to a heady new perfume or luxurious body butter without worrying about the impacts they have on our environment.
St James Supply Co are committed to creating exceptional hair care products while being environmentally responsible. Part of this ethos includes dropping the plastic bottles and selling solid shampoo and conditioner bars which are soap free, biodegradable, palm free and sls-free.
We hope we’ve given you some food for thought, this World Environment Day. Every bit helps in healing an Earth that gives us so much.