Just say no!

Like it or not, consuming less is one of the most effective ways to combat climate change. So if you’re serious about eco-living, it’s time to ask yourself what you can live without.

But before you think about saying no to the things you might buy, take another look at what you throw away and see what you could re-use. For example, old t-shirts can be cut up and used as dusters, and newspapers are brilliant for cleaning windows. Make re-using as much a way of life as re-cycling.

And each time you make a purchase, consider whether it’s something you really need. If you want a new sofa, is it because it’s worn out, or could you re-cover the one you have. If it’s something you really need, you might find a better quality item for the same price if you were to buy second-hand. If you are buying new furniture then try to avoid synthetic materials, which over their lifespan, give off toxic chemicals and are energy intensive to produce. And remember that for wooden products to be carbon neutral, the wood they are made from needs to come from sustainable forests.

If you are getting rid of old furniture, clothes, or pretty much anything, make sure you keep them out of landfill sites by selling them at a boot fair, donating to charity, or by offering them free to anyone willing to collect using your local Freecycle group.

By cutting your consumption, you’re not just helping reduce damage to the environment; you’ll save money too. And if you’d like to save money on home insurance, why not see if Privilege can help - get a home insurance quote today.