10 Tips to Reduce your Carbon Footprint

The world is a complicated place but as the years go on, we’re learning more and more about the impact humans are having on our planet. As we increase our understanding of how our habits have caused environmental issues in the past, we want to ensure that in the future we’re making better choices to aid the recovery of our world. For the health of our families, pets and animals in the world, here are our top 10 tips to reduce your carbon footprint!

1. Seek local 

We know that the travel of products has a big impact on carbon emissions, especially when shipping overseas. What we can do to help eliminate this movement is to lower the demand for these products by choosing local options. This isn’t the only benefit to shopping local, it also reduces the amount of packaging due to the nature of this travel, gives us all fresher options and supports local businesses. 

2. Lower your meat consumption 

The meat industry is the largest contributor to environmental damage. From deforestation to carbon emissions, the meat industry has caused irreversible damage to our environment and it continues to grow because of demand. If we all make a conscious decision to lower or omit our meat consumption we stop the need for such excessive farming. As animal care and wellbeing advocates, we also think this is very important to help increase welfare standards for animals across the world. 

3. Plan to avoid waste

Food, packaging and other consumables all-cause waste if there isn’t prior thought. With some planning, we can all reduce our waste. By taking out one instead of two bin bags and not completely filling our recycling bins each week we can make a dramatic difference in how much waste is being produced. Food waste is a big issue because of the amount of energy and resources it takes to create. Planning meals ahead is a great way to reduce your food waste!

4. Think about packaging 

Whether you're sending or receiving an item, does it need to be wrapped in plastic? Most often these parcels that arrive or products that have plastic form-fitted trays are single-use, adding to waste and produced in a way that causes unfriendly emissions. When making a purchase taking a moment to find out how that retailer or shop sends their products gives us the option to choose the most environmentally friendly option. 

5. Choose cleaner travel options

Travel is a big carbon contributor. Whether that be flying or driving to work, travel choices have been impacting our environment ever since they were invented. We now have companies producing vehicles that use clean energy however some of these options aren’t financially achievable to all right now. A great choice to lower carbon emissions is to consider other options such as walking or cycling to work, using public transport to reach local places or even making the decision to holiday national rather than global!

6. Recycle more

A lot of us don’t realise that we’re not recycling as much as we can. There are plastics that enter our home that need slightly more attention but can be taken to other facilities, like your local supermarket, to be recycled. If you’re thinking about packaging (no.4) you’ll also be bringing more options for you to be able to recycle into your home - a full cycle!

7. Look at appliance energy ratings

In 2021, energy ratings on appliances changed. This was to allow for more efficient products to be brought to market. This now means that some appliances older than 2021 still look as though they are better for the environment when in actuality they’re lower on the new rating than we might believe. Upgrading to more efficient appliances is another way to help reduce your carbon footprint!

8. Avoid fast fashion 

Another major contributor to environmental damage is the fast-fashion world (this includes pet garments too!) The production of these pieces, transportation and landfill disposal make these pieces have a similar journey as single-use plastic - use once, throw away. Looking for options that will last, are made of responsible materials and from companies that consider their environmental impact is a step closer to caring for the environment. 

9. Check your cleaning products 

Our main purpose of cleaning products is to keep our homes in a state we want to be in but the things that we use can be causing detriment outside of our homes. With the extensive research happening on the impacts of certain chemicals, there is also plenty of research happening about what ingredients can clean effectively and safely without risking the health of our environment. By choosing to not put harmful products down the drains of our homes, we’re helping to preserve water systems, animals and create a healthier world. 

10. Choose environmentally friendly for your pet 

If you love to spoil your pet, you’re not only. We love giving our pets new treats, toys and everything else that will make them even happier because they bring us so much joy. But, just like the previous nine points, choice is everything. There are lots of options and variety now available to us to treat our pets without sacrifice. Research your brands and retailers to ensure they’re looking after the environment as much as you are!

In conclusion, it's all about being more conscious and making some lifestyle changes. This doesn’t mean making sacrifices for the things we like, want or enjoy but choosing options that have a more positive impact. Although these things appear small and you might already be doing many of them if everyone nationally made a conscious effort to change two or three things that were causing harm there would be a dramatic difference. Not only would there be less of a stress on the environment in its already struggling state but with consumers moving to healthier options, manufacturers would have to follow the trend to ensure that they retained their customer base, effectively closing the loop of un-friendly choices. 

If you’re interested in what we’re doing to support our customers by positively impacting the environment you can find out here: What does it mean to be a Carbon Neutral company?