Five Ways to Stay Sustainable Beyond November
We’ve been celebrating Sustainability Month all through November, and although the end of this month may mark the end of the campaign – there are multiple ways we can stay sustainable and make positive change. So, here are our five top ways to make a sustainable impact beyond November:
1. Come Along to our Swap Shop🍝
We’re launching a brand-new Swap Shop in the Senate House Living Rooms! From today you’ll be able to bring in any food or clothing items that you no longer need, that other people can make use of. This is a great way to participate in a sustainable initiative, contribute to a circular economy, and help combat the price of food and clothing.
If you’re trying to declutter your house before or after the Winter Holiday, why not bring along some of your excess items?
To find out more about the Swap Shop and what you can and can’t donate, make sure to head here.
2. Try Second Hand Shopping👕
Swapping clothes in Bristol isn’t limited to our Swap Shop! Bristol is home to some amazing second-hand and charity shops, so if you’re in need of some new winter items why not head down to one? Opting for second-hand clothing is an easy way of reducing the demand for fast fashion and minimises the environmental impact of clothes.
Make sure to check out Park Street, Whiteladies Road, and Gloucester Road for charity shops and second-hand/vintage clothes!
And remember, charity shops aren’t just a great solution to adding to your wardrobe. They’re a good solution to donating any clothing you don’t wear anymore and also help you give back to the local community.
3. Shop Mindfully and Locally🌱
We can also be mindful of our consumption of non-clothing items. It’s good practice to consider an item before buying it, thinking about where it’s from, how it can be disposed of, or how it will contribute to the waste system.
Shopping locally and mindfully is a great way to reduce your carbon footprint and support your local economy. Instead of shopping online or at large chain stores, consider buying gifts from local artisans or small businesses. Not only will it support those businesses, but it help to reduce emissions from transport.
As we're soon entering the Christmas season, remember to shop locally when you're thinking about Christmas presents. A top tip once you're in-store is to choose items with minimal packaging or those made from sustainable materials!
Here are some places to look out for, as recommended by SU Staff:
- Tobacco Factory Sunday Market - Around 60 stalls every Sunday selling sustainable and locally made products including clothing, jewelry, food, and gifts.
- St Nicholas Market, The Corn Exchange - Bristol's largest collection of independent retailers, some selling ethical and sustainable products.
- Frankly, Wapping Wharf - Aim to make it easy and affordable to shop ethically and sustainably.
4. Reduce, Reuse, Recyle♻
You can commit to reducing any waste you create by following the Reduce, Reuse, Recycle principles!
If you're able to, invest in reusable items like water bottles, coffee cups, and tote bags to cut down on single-use plastics.
When you're at home, disposing of your waste correctly shows you care for where you live so we all have cleaner streets. Recycling preserves natural resources, saves energy, and causes less harm to the environment than extracting and processing raw materials. So, make sure you take note of bins and recycling collection dates and times in Bristol - which are right here.
Here in Bristol, Bristol Waste Company provides a weekly kerbside food waste recycling collection service. So, make sure to use this and if you don't find you have a brown recycling bin in your house you can contact the council!
5. Have a Sustainable Christmas!🎄
Even during winter we can stay sustainable and continue to make positive action in the world we live.
Many decorations are made from plastic and other non-biodegradable materials. So, make sure to look out for decorations made from sustainable materials, such as recycled paper. You could even make your own decorations from items you already have. Another good way to stay sustainable at Christmas is to re-use old wrapping paper, newspaper, or other materials that you no longer need.
Lastly, here are three things to keep in mind when buying presents sustainably:
- Quality over quantity.
- Supporting small, independent businesses.
- Buying second hand.
