Hi, I’m Steph from www.stephloveshoney.com, welcome to my guest blog post on planet friendly gifts for 10 year olds!
As our little ones grow, it’s important to instil in them a love for the planet and the importance of sustainable living. What better way to do this, than by selecting gifts that are not only fun and engaging, but also environmentally conscious? In this post, we will explore a range of unique and eco-friendly gift ideas that will not only put a smile on your child’s face, but will also contribute towards a greener future. Let’s dive in and discover some wonderful options that both you and your little ones can feel good about!
1. Planet friendly subscriptions for 10 year olds
Reading subscription boxes always go down well in our house. I particularly like the ethos behind Hand me Down Book Club, where you choose the child’s age and then the team will put together and dispatch a package of pre-loved books. They’re pre-loved books, but graded good to great condition. Some may have signs of use but Hand me Down Book Club say that they would never send out anything that is in anything less than what we’d be happy with themselves.
Image Credit – Pixabay
Magazine subscriptions can be exciting, ‘Nat Geo day’ is celebrated monthly in our house! National Geographic Kids Magazine has beautiful photography, news, quizzes, interviews and competitions in every issue. It is also plastic free (including packaging) and printed on 100% recycled paper.
Adopting or tracking an animal is the only way we are ever going to get a pet in our house! WWF UK is a good place to start, as they can let you know which animals are most in need of funding. They also offer an under 12 option on their subscription welcome pack. My daughter is also keen to track a whale. The option we liked is not a subscription, but purchase of this GPS whale tracking bracelet helps contribute directly to saving endangered whales.
2. Experience gifts for 10 year olds
If they have a favourite museum or attraction, a ticket for a day out there is a no brainer! Opt for e-tickets to save carbon and if you want to give something tangible too, gift a bag of popcorn for a cinema trip or some spending money for the museum gift shop.
10 year olds are more sure of their likes, dislikes and style than ever, so how about gifting them a shopping trip. Set a budget, arrange a date and hop on the bus or train as a treat to yourselves and the planet!
Image Credit – Pixabay
A lunch or afternoon tea date will be well received. It can be tricky to spend quality time with children as they get older and start to have their own social lives, so pinning down time for this treat will benefit both sides greatly.
3. Planet friendly toys for 10 year olds
Willow & Wild offer plastic free and ecologically sound play options. Natural playdough is a favourite here, it provides hours of imaginative play. You can get a whole range of colours, some are naturally scented and some contain eco glitter.
Catkin & co are passionate about nurturing a love of nature in children. They create forest school inspired resources, kits, and imaginative play packs to help foster your child’s lifelong love of nature. We can highly recommend the Poo Activity Kit, the Animal Tracking Kit and Wildflower Activity Kit.
10 is a big year and growth spurts are common, meaning that suddenly everything needs replacing all at once (and then probably needs replacing again within weeks).
If your 10 year old needs a new bike, scooter or rollerblades, consider searching Facebook Marketplace or local selling sites for these. Not only will your bank balance thank you, you will be helping the planet by contributing to a circular economy, especially if you sell them on to fund their next size up in a few months!
Image Credit – Pixabay
In conclusion, choosing planet friendly gifts for 10 year olds not only teaches them about the importance of environmental sustainability, but also instills in them a sense of responsibility for the planet they will inherit. By opting for eco-friendly toys, games, and experiences, we can encourage children to be mindful of their impact on the environment and make informed choices about consumption. Whether it’s a DIY craft kit, a nature-inspired adventure, or a book that promotes green living, these planet-friendly gifts will not only bring joy to the recipient, but also contribute towards a brighter future for our planet.
Image credit – Pixabay
So, let’s celebrate birthdays and special occasions by nurturing a love for nature, fostering creativity, and inspiring young minds to become conscientious custodians of our beautiful planet.
What’s the best planet friendly gift you have ever given or been given? Let me know by commenting on this post or dropping me a message over on Instagram or Facebook.
Stay updated! Here are nearly all of the environmental awareness days and sustainability dates to look out for in 2024 for the UK.
The great thing about awareness days is that there’s an awareness day for nearly everything. My favourite is International Chocolate Day which is held annually on 7th July. Personally, I tend to eat chocolate most days but it’s nice to know there’s a day for it.
I’ve written Environmental days 2023 UK and previous years and it’s something that is growing year on year as people are kind enough to let me know of additional events – it’s one of my favourite ones to write.
If you’re planning your social media content or a teacher looking for help for lesson plans or would like to organise a sustainability event in your community or at your workplace, this list of environmental days will make your life easier
As you can imagine, there are loads of dates for your calendar so the hyperlinks for each month will make it easier to navigate.
I have included what I can at the time of posting this and will update any new sustainability days for 2024 as and when new information is available.
Throughout the month of January, Veganuary invites and inspires people to explore a vegan lifestyle. Since 2014, 2.5 million people have signed up from 228 countries and territories around the world. It’s a great way to discover how to cook with different vegetables and allows you to be as creative as you want. Their website has a wealth of advice and recipes to get started.
This is a great opportunity to do with little ones. All you have to do is sit in the garden, be very quiet and count the bird you see. If you don’t have a garden, it’s fine, sit in the park, watch from your balcony, anyone can take part. Birds play an important role in nature and with our help, the RSPB can keep an eye on the population our feathered friends. Check out their website to see how to get involved.
Houseplant Week UK 8th – 14th January 2024
Usually held annually during the second week of January, this week celebrates the benefits of having indoor plants. Indoor plants not only look good, they can help purify the air and there are so many low maintenance options if you’re worried about forgetting to watering them. I’ve got some Peace Lilies and a spider plant. I’ve also three snake plants; Thor, Loki and Hela (one for Marvel fans!)
February
Looking for an environmental day in February 2024? I got you
World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually to mark the anniversary of The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands which was signed on 2nd February 1971 to protect wetland habitats which play such a vital role within our ecosystem.
March
Here are the March 2024 environmental awareness days for your calendar
This is a United Nations International day to celebrate the all the wildlife and around the world. Focusing on the importance of why these wildlife and plants are crucial to all life on this planet and why loss of habitat is affecting their survival. This date was specifically chosen to cite the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora, which was signed in 1973.
During a week in March, numerous schools, households, community groups, and businesses will unite to tally their plastic waste.
In 2022, nearly 250,000 individuals participated in The Big Plastic Count, uncovering that close to two billion pieces of plastic packaging are discarded each week. This year, your participation can contribute to gathering more evidence, urging UK ministers to take a leading role in global discussions that might ultimately bring an end to plastic pollution. You can register on their website to take part.
Knowing that we are using finite resources, we have to look closely at what we are throwing away. This day was created to encourage and focus on why recycling is important and how we can reuse the precious resources we have without taking more from from the environment. Check out their website for facts and figures on recycling and how you can take part to look after the planet for future generations.
Word Forests annual event, they plant trees, build schools, facilitate education and support a raft of women’s empowerment initiatives in rural Kenya. They plant there because trees in the tropics grow up to 10 times faster than anywhere else on the planet, making them absolute beasts at mitigating the climate emergency.
Held annually on the 22nd March, focuses on the importance of freshwater. It raises awareness of the 202 billion people around the world who do not have access to safe water. The theme for 2024 will be ‘Leveraging Water for Peace’.
April
Sustainability days for the month of April 2024
National Walk to Work Day – 1st April 2024
This day is dedicated to encouraging us to walk to walk. Admitted, this means not hitting the snooze button so many times, walking has so many health benefits and according to Well ‘A 20 minute walk per day could cut your risk of premature death by a third.’ Leaviing your car at home will reduce carbon emissions and help towards a better future.
Community Garden Week – 1st April – 7th April 2024
This is a week where community gardens and school gardens come together, to support and inspire each other. Creating these gardens for everyone to enjoy. What’s not to love?
Dolphin day – 14th April 2024
Held annually on the same day, this day is to think about and raising awareness about protecting these beautiful marine mammals.
For Earth Day, earthday.org will be demanding a 60% reduction in the production of plastics.Not certain types of plastics, ALL plastics, by 2040. We have all see n the devastating effects plastic has on us and the environment around us so this quite an important one. Check out their website and find out how you can get involved. There is a section on their website where you can learn more about plastics and also a report called The Plastic Waste Maker’s Index showing what companies are most responsible for plastic pollution. Take a guess who is at the top of the list? (paeg 49). The first Earth day was held in 1970 and has been going strong ever since.
So much food is wasted daily and there are so many ways to reduce this; freezing, buying less, donating. 45% of root crops, fruit and vegetables produced globally is lost or wasted per year, that’s way too much waste. There is so much world hunger and there are things we can do. This day focuses on education, check out their website to find practical and creative sustainable solutions of reducing your food waste
May
Here are some more environmental events to take part in May 2024
Plantlife’s annual campaign, No Mow May is a pretty simple one to take part in. Just don’t cut your grass for the month of May. That’s it! The aim is to provide a space for nature to do their thing. According to their website ‘We’ve lost nearly 97% of flower rich meadows since the 1970’s and with them gone are vital food needed by pollinators, like bees and butterflies‘
This annual education initiative is to raise awareness of the importance of composting, from the benefits of composting to the importance of creating healthy soil. You don’t need a lot of space for composting and this week will show you how you can get yourself and little ones involved. This is a great example of the power of collective action.
Endangered Species Day – 17th May 2024
This annual event focuses on the species that are likely to be extinct in the near future and there’s a possibility that we’re losing species before we have even discovered them. There are many reasons for this: exploitation of the environment, depletion of natural resources, habitat loss, and the lack of meaningful climate change action by world leaders. The WWF website keep an updated list of the species that are on the endangered list.
Bees are the hardest working creatures on our planet, as they play a critical role in pollinating our food and I don’t think they get the credit they deserve. There are over 250 species of bees. Learn more about bees and how we can help them by planting wildflowers and preserving the flora we have.
There are so many people around the world who do not have access to fresh drinking water. Water is a vital source for all life on this planet and this week is a national initiative dedicated to bringing awareness and promoting ways in which we can save it.
This is a great way to celebrate and encourage the enjoyment gardening hold for our children. Kids aren’t afraid of getting their hands dirty and it’s a great way to teach the next generation about the importance of gardening. You don’t need to have a large space for gardening, it can be about maintaining school gardens, gardens in our local communities or in your local park. This is one of the sustainability events that is popular up and down the country with a view to make our environment a better place.
June
June 2024 is a busy month for national environmental days
This world day is held on the same day every year, which is dedicated to our environment. This United Nations Environment Programme has the main aim of focussing on the only home we all share and how we need to look after it for the next generations to come. If you’re looking for some great ways to help children learn about environmental protection and more about the Earth’s environment, this is a great place to start. Let’s make a positive impact.
This is one of the UK’s largest celebration of actions taking my local communities to tackle climate change and to protect nature. This can involve anything from litter picking to writing to your MP. Check out their website to see how you can plan an event in your local area and get your community involved in looking after the only home we have.
For a healthy planet, a healthy ocean is vital for ALL life on this planet. As a global event, this year’s theme is ‘Catalyzing Action for Our Ocean & Climate’ aimed at campaigning and encouraging our leaders to make the decisions needed to preserve our oceans and make climate action and global warming an urgent priority.
According to their website ‘Every year, air pollution causes up to 36,000 deaths in the UK.’ We all have the right to access clean air as pollution causes so many health problems, especially in children. Their website has a wealth of resources where you can get involved in this important day.
Held annually on the same day, World Refill Day encourages us to ditch our single-use plastic bottles and using refillable bottles where we’re out and bout. Millions of people get involved around the world. They’ve created an app to find out where you local refilling station is. It’s time to join the refill revolution.
Working with various organisations and indigenous people, their mission is to highlight and celebrate the importance of our rainforests which are at threat due to human activity. This is a global movement with the aim of protecting and restoring the rainforests we have left. Filled with biodiversity and are home to so many species, some of which we may not have even discovered yet.
This month-long campaign has grown year on year encouraging use to adopt sustainable habits to reduce our plastic consumption. We don’t realise how much power we have as small changes can make a huge difference. #PlasticFreeJuly is a great way to find ideas on what you can do for this month. I’m always talking about reducing my plastic consumption, check out my profile on Instagram and follow me
Don’t Step on a Bee Day – 10th July 2024
This day is observed annually in the UK. Bees are amazing pollinators and they are key to our long-term survival playing a massive role in balancing our ecosystem. If you’d like to know more, check out my blog on why they are so important and how you can help them.
This is a UK wide survey to access the help of our butterflies. It’s so easy to sign up and take part and it’s a great way to help encourage little ones to care about nature.
Having access to green spaces is vital to our mental health and this week is dedicated to celebrating these spaces and everyone who contributes to them. Go for a walk in the park and enjoy nature and the blue skies.
Held annually on the fourth Sunday in July ‘in celebration of bogs, fens, swamps & marshes is an opportunity to raise awareness of peatlands – the benefits they provide, the threats they face and the ways we can all help protect them.’
August
Here are environmental awareness days for your calendar for August 2024
This week is where the The National Allotment Society encourages us to the benefits of having an individual or community allotment. They also promote the benefits of having healthy soil. Check their website to see how you can get involved.
September
Hold on to your hats! September 2024 is a bumper month for sustainability days
This campaign is a month-long annual celebration by Oxfam to promote buying second hand and reduce waste. By buying second hand, we can reduce our carbon footprint. I’m a huge fan of #SecondHandSeptember and here’s what I bought in September 2023.
This annual campaign is led by the Soil Association who work tirelessly to raise awareness of the benefits organic farming. This isn’t just important for our health, but the planet too. This environmental day is one for the diary. Artificial fertilisers are depleting the nutrients we need in our soils to grow food.
This is a key environmental day in history of when, in 1987, the the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was adopted.
‘As the treaty turns 35 on Ozone Day, we will remember how the Montreal Protocol ended one of the biggest threats ever to face humanity as a whole: the depletion of the ozone layer. When the world found out that ozone-depleting gases used in aerosols and cooling were creating a hole in the sky, they came together. They showed that multilateralism and effective global cooperation worked and they phased out these gases. Now the ozone layer is healing, allowing it once again to shield humanity from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.’
This annual event is led by Living Streets, promoting and encouraging us to leave our car sat home and allowing everyone to experience traffic-free roads.
Their website has some great examples of how other people travelled to celebrate World Car Free Day.
Held annually on the fourth Sunday in September, is to celebrate our waterways. It focuses on the numerous benefits of our rivers, aims to boost public awareness, and promotes better care of rivers worldwide. Rivers in nearly every nation confront various challenges, and it’s only through our active engagement that we can safeguard their well-being in the future.
This environmental campaign focuses on helping and encouraging homes, schools, businesses and community groups to find ways on how to reduce waste that is destined for landfill. Check out their website to see how to get involved.
This is a great initiative where thousands of people give involved in cleaning up our beaches allowing people to enjoy our beaches without having to avoid rubbish. As their flagship event ‘Litter data collected on beach cleans drives our conservation work, helps us to campaign for change, and also feeds into the International Coastal Clean-up (ICC).’ It’s the perfect way to get our little ones involved in caring about their environment, besides, who doesn’t enjoy some fresh air and time away from the TV? I’ve taken my daughter to the beach to litter pick, find out how we got on.
This global annual event had some amazing results in 2023; 19.1 million participants took part from 91% of listed UN nations and collected a whopping 205,000 tons of waste! What an amazing achievement. I’m sure 2024 will be another massive year for this fabulous campaign.
Each year, the FSC Forest Week is a global initiative that urges all those responsible for forests to raise public consciousness regarding the significance of sustainable forestry. The objective is to motivate these consumers to make a difference by selecting products that carry FSC certification.
October
Here are all the environmental days in October 2024
Unblocktober – 1st October 2024 – 31st October 2024
This annual, month-long campaign was started to create and promote awareness on how we can improve the health of our sewers, drains and seas. First launched in 2019, thousand of people up and down the UK have made pledges to change their bathroom and kitchen habits. Many of us don’t realise the wider environmental implications of what we put down our drains. Check out their website for tips on the different ways you can change your habits.
Led by Living Streets, this is a month-long campaign to encourage children and parents to walk to school. Promoting better travel habits that are kinder to the environment, road safety awareness and the fun of exercise, there are may ways to get involved. Check out some great #WalkToSchoolStories on their website.
This day is dedicated to not using a disposable cup. Their website states “Daily in the UK we use more than 7 MILLION DISPOSABLE CUPS – 500,000 are dropped on the floor! UK is one of the worst in the World in disposable cup waste using 2.5 billion cups a year – this would create a pile of disposable cup waste as big as the Albert Hall in London!” This one is easy to solve. Get yourself a reusable cup.
This annual event, hosted by Recycle Now, serves as their primary initiative to promote and foster recycling throughout the entire country. They’re really keen to get schools involved in this great initiative and learn how the can get involved.
International E-Waste Day acts as a platform for heightening awareness regarding the problem of electronic waste. Any organisations that have an issue with E-waste can take part. ‘You can recycle anything with a plug, battery or cable! International E-Waste Day to shed the light on ‘invisible’ electronic waste.’
November
Here are some more environmental events to take part in November 2024
Led by the Tree Council, it’s their largest annual event celebrating our trees. This annual event encourages thousands of people in Britain to come together to plant trees, marking the start to tree planting season.
This day highlights the importance of the health of our soil and why it is essential for long-term food security. They promote the importance of sustainable agriculture and encourage environmental conservation through education. Without the nutrients in the soil, we won’t be able to grow food. As someone once said to me “We can’t grow food in dirt”.
So, there you have it. A list of sustainability days for 2024. Feel free to comment below if you have a campaign you would like included. I’m always happy to share as many environmental awareness days and dates for 2024.
If you’re looking for Environmental Instagram Accounts to follow? I’ve got you!
Social media has been transformed from its initial role as a mere platform for sharing selfies and images of our furry friends. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and TikTok, which were primarily linked to casual interactions for our daily lives, have undergone a substantial evolution becoming a way for so many of us to access and share information.
This transformative shift has led to the rise of social media influencers where we can access news, information, opinions, and knowledge, totally transforming the way information flows.
These platforms have become key in local, national and international movements, sharing news and stories from social injustices, fashion trends, and environmental issues. Gone are the days where our information was solely obtained by newspapers, where information was controlled, to uncensored information at your fingertips.
If you’re looking for like-minded environmental accounts, this is the place for you. I follow these accounts myself and I love their content, they’re my kind of people.
Emma is an eco blogger who writes about parenting, travel and lifestyle who had a great following on Instagram.
It started back in 2018 where she made the swap to cloth nappies which led Emma becoming more environmentally conscious. Since then, she’s explored different ways to become environmentally friendly and promotes the benefits of reusable, sharing what she has learned on Instagram.
I highly recommend you check out Emma’s website here
Amber is based in Bristol and her Instagram bio reads ‘Trying to live and parent sustainably. Living low waste/ low plastic since Jan ‘23 Vegetarian but also post some vegan recipes 🌱 organic gardening 🍅’
Amber shares about the changes she’s making, easy eco swaps, greenwashing, fashion and how to reduce food waste.
Anne-Marie is an Award-winning cookbook author and speaker and she’s incredibly passionate about zero-waste. Her feed is filled with how to use leftovers, DIY recipes and up-cycling, ways to reduce waste, and great recipes.
She recently posted a reel on how to turn a newspaper into a compost bin liner, something I have now started doing myself.
Anne-Marie’s website is packed with so much information, have a look
Rada regularly promotes eco-friendly tips and DIY on a budget, which is so important as many of us are living through a cost of living crisis.
You’ll also get a dose of happy eco news which is something we all really need along with low-waste gift ideas, reminders of garden jobs and swaps she has made.
Sam lives in Birmingham and regularly posts about happy eco news that you won’t necessarily see on mainstream news.
There is so much negative news about the planet and the good things are often overlooked. Sam also includes sources in his videos so you can look it up if you want to know more.
He’s up to one million followers on Instagram so there’s a real thirst for good news. If you watch his reels, you can feel the passion!
There are so many other accounts to follow on Instagram and it’s easy to find like-minded Environmental Instagram Accounts to connect and learn from. If you’re on Instagram, give me a follow too @easypeasygreeny
Since I’ve started leading a more sustainable lifestyle, I noticed the changes I want to make (and have done) have a lot to do with habits; old habits and new habits.
Us humans are creatures of habits, we learn what we see around us and, therefore, adopt those practices. They’re learned behaviours we repeat over and over again sometimes without thinking about them.
The dictionary definition of a habit is ‘a settled or regular tendency or practice, especially one that is hard to give up’
Although there are good habits and bad habits , I’ve found a way to change this has a lot to do with how you adapt to changes. It’s not always easy, remember the saying ‘old habits die hard’?
Tip – don’t do it all in one go, it’s going to be overwhelming!
Ways to Ditch Old Habits and Learn New Ones
Pick one old habit at a time
The biggest mistake a made was to make so many changes at the same time and I eventually found it so overwhelming that I burned myself out. Don’t make the same mistake I did.
Focus on ONE thing you want to change.
It could be buying loose fruit and vegetables instead of ones wrapped in plastic, opting for second-hand clothing, ditching tea bags in favour of loose tea leaves, make your own cleaning product, take part in environmental awareness days, or opting for eco-friendly menstrual products.
Although we have good intentions, it’s easy to slip.
Once you have picked one, focus on that. Eventually, you will form a new habit which will allow you to move to the next one.
Here’s a great quote
“Change might not be fast and it isn’t always easy. But with time and effort, almost any habit can be reshaped.” ― Charles Duhigg, The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business
Don’t worry if you don’t get it right straight away, we are all learning.
Something I always say – start small, do what you can, build from there.
Think about the process
Credit – Canva
I’ve been reading Atomic Habits book by James Clear and there’s a section where he talks about habit stacking. This is where you incorporate a new habit into actions you already take.
One of the chapters focuses on processes.
We tend to work on a series of processes; make a shopping list, get in the car, go to the supermarket, get a trolley, fill your trolley, queue and pay, load up the car, return trolley, drive home. Yet, we sometimes forget our shopping bags.
If you want to incorporate shopping bags, you need to add that to the process.
Here’s an example –
When you write your shopping list, add the word ‘shopping bags in the car’ first, that will make you stop and put shopping bags in your car. It may help putting them on the passenger’s seat so you remember to pick them up once you’re parked.
All you need is a clear prompt to add to your process. Once you get into the habit of remembering your bags when you’re writing your shopping list, move to the next habit you want to change.
“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.”
One of the biggest things I took away from Atomic Habits book is about changing your environment.
One of the examples given was about eating fruit. If you buy fruit and leave them in the fridge, you’ll forget it’s there and will have to throw them out. Instead, leave them in a bowl on the kitchen counter where you will always see them. When something is out of sight, it’s usually out of mind.
How can you ditch an old habit for sustainable living?
Something I’ve recently started is composting. I had a habit of forgetting to put food scraps to one side so I starting putting the scraps in a DIY compost bag I left it on the kitchen island, where I always prepare the food. As it was right in front of me (rather than to one side), I started I started adding any scraps to it.
One little change makes a difference.
Old habits are hard to let go. I’ve found identifying them and working on one habit at at time, reduces the chance of overwhelm and anxiety.
If you’re looking for a DIY project, here’s how you can make a draught excluder from things you already have in your home.
Also, be a little kinder to yourself.
If you’re looking for some eco-tips for sustainable living, check out my YouTube video
Let’s talk about Eco-Judgment. I’ve noticed it quite a bit since I started talking about sustainable living. Some can be quite loud about what they do and why others ‘should do it my way’.
In my opinion, judging someone who doesn’t make the same environmental changes as others is incredibly counter-productive and feel this level of eco-judgment is really unnecessary.
I consider myself as an imperfect environmentalist, I try to do what I can when I can. I care about the environment and I always say – start small, do what you can, build from there.
You’ll look at something and wonder ‘Is it eco conscious’ or ‘What is an eco-conscious lifestyle?’ This looks different for everyone, there is no right or wrong. For many, it is linked to finances but there are other barriers to sustainable living.
We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly – Anne Marie Bonneau
Let’s Ditch The Eco-Judgment & Work Together For A Better Planet
Breaking Habits
When you’ve been doing something one way for a very long time, it’s learned behaviour and to change this, your brain needs to re-learn and adopt the new way. There are some who can wake up in the morning and say to themselves ‘I don’t want to do this anymore’ and they don’t. I really admire anyone who has the ability to do this, but for a lot of people, this isn’t that easy.
I’ve read somewhere that it could take about a month to break an old habit and learn a new one. A month is a long time.
Finances
I mentioned this at the start. There are many sustainable products on the market but they come with a price tag, which can really take a chunk out of your monthly finances. Judgement needs to be left at the door.
I’ve seen myself that a glass jar of mayonnaise will likely be more expensive than the single-use plastic bottle or a tube of toothpaste will be cheaper than toothpaste tabs. There’s no need for any eco-judgement here. You can only do what you can do.
There are going to be some areas that don’t offer the products / facilities as other areas.
At the end of last year, my family and I moved from the South East of England to the East Midlands. Where we used to live, all residents were provided with a food caddy where food waste could be stored and taken away on a weekly basis. My new district council do not offer this facility. I assumed this collection would have been the same up and down the country, that’s not the case. Because of this, I have started to compost some food (there are things you can’t put in your compost) and the rest of the food waste ends up in the refuse bin.
I’m doing what I can, that’s the point. Eco-Judgment shouldn’t be a factor when it’s out of your control.
Ignore the Eco-Judgment and do things your way
I like being different and it’s something I embrace. I’ve had friends and family look at me at times and wonder whether I’m a few sandwiches short of a picnic and it makes me laugh.
I have worn the same dress to three different weddings. It didn’t matter to me that people have seen it before. It’s a lovely dress and I love wearing it. I’m going to another wedding next year and many of the same people at previous weddings will be there too. I’ve seen trends where people are now re-wearing an outfit to a wedding more than once. There tends to be quite a bit of judgement around this and I don’t understand why; it’s cheaper, it’s better for the environment (less consumption) and you get to wear a dress you love over and over again. Even celebrities re-wear outfits.
Another thing I do that makes people raise their eyebrows is wearing odd socks. The reason is that if one sock has a hole in it and can’t be repaired, the other one is discarded even though it still does its job – which is a waste. Does it really matter if you’re wearing matching socks?
Some people think wearing odd socks is good luck (I haven’t found this) but something that is important is that International Down Syndrome Day is celebrated by wearing odd socks.
Maybe you could wear odd socks for Down Syndrome Day 2024 and show your support.
Start somewhere and ignore the eco-judgement
There is something we can do all and you need to find what works for your situation.
Start with something small, I’ve got loads of tips to help you get started.
You can also have conversations with friends and family to see what they do, that could give you some inspiration and potentially adopting that practice into your lifestyle. You may be surprised at how many people buy second-hand.
If you’d like to practise self-care the eco way, check out this download.
It feels that we just need to be kinder to each other and forget about the eco-judgment. After all, we are all working towards the same goal, just in different ways.
As we’re approaching the last quarter of the year, there are still plenty of Environmental Days left in 2023.
A friend of mine is a primary school teacher and suggested I list the remaining 2023 environmental days. She wanted to include some in her lesson plan for her students ready for the start of the new academic year.
As I said to her – “your wish is my command.”
If you’re thinking about any sustainability events at your school, workplace or community, here are some dates you’ll want to add to your calendar.
Led by Oxfam, Secondhand September is a campaign where we are encouraged to buy second-hand throughout the month of September.
I’ve written quite a lot about second-hand I’ve made myself and I’ve found some real bargains along the way.
Indeed, sharing your second-hand purchases on social media using the hashtag #SecondhandSeptember is a great way to spread the word and show off your preloved items.
For 2022’s campaign, Oxfam said ‘26,413 people pledged to say yes to less, by buying only second hand throughout September 2022. And 1,300 people shared your #SecondHandSeptember tips and experiences on social. That’s thousands of people consuming less, looking out for people and planet, raising money and awareness to fight climate change and end poverty.’
Organic September – 1st September to 30th September 2023
This campaign is led by the Soil Association working tirelessly to raise awareness of the benefits organic farming brings. Not just for our health but to the climate too. This environmental day is one for the diary.
I’ve recently learned about the devastating effects artificial fertilisers are having on our soils. It’s depleting the nutrients in our healthy soils and eventually won’t be able to grow anything. I remember somewhere in the textbook it said that you can’t grow anything in dirt.
Additionally, they care about the welfare of farm animals and it’s better for us too.
Their Pledge for the Planet ‘Together, our small collective actions add up to make a real difference. Whether we’re supporting local organic farmers and independent shops, growing our own nature-friendly veg at home, or taking steps to reduce our waste, making a pledge for our planet can help to build a more sustainable future’
The Great British Beach Clean – 15th September to 24th September 2023
This annual event helps the Marine Conservation Society to raise awareness and brings attention to their important conservation work.
We’ve all seen the images of the awful effects litter has on the oceans and wildlife.
Moreover, litter collected is recorded and their website states ‘Our data has been used to make a positive impact on our ocean – including the introduction of the plastic bag charge, banning microplastics in personal care products, better wet wipe labelling, and supporting a tax on single-use plastic items.’
I’ve taken my daughter litter picking at the beach and I was so astonished at how much rubbish we found.
It’s a great way to get the little ones involved in caring about the environment, they can see they’re making a difference and, besides, who doesn’t want some fresh air in their lungs?
I’ve always had a soft spot for dolphins so when I watched a programme a while back where over 1,400 dolphins were killed in one day, I was completely horrified by what I was seeing (link contains graphic images!). I’ll never forget how the water just turned red – it was heartbreaking.
You can sign up to their mailing list to join the movement.
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer – 16th September 2023
This is an important environmental day in history of when the the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was adopted in 1987.
‘As the treaty turns 35 on Ozone Day, we will remember how the Montreal Protocol ended one of the biggest threats ever to face humanity as a whole: the depletion of the ozone layer. When the world found out that ozone-depleting gases used in aerosols and cooling were creating a hole in the sky, they came together. They showed that multilateralism and effective global cooperation worked and they phased out these gases. Now the ozone layer is healing, allowing it once again to shield humanity from the sun’s ultraviolet radiation.’
I was a child when this was adopted and recall hearing about CFCs and the Ozone Layer. Even as a child, this showed me what global nations can do if they work together for a common goal.
If we’ve worked together before, surely we can do so again?
This is Recycle Now‘s Flagship event held every year to promote and encourage recycling up and down the country.
Each year there is a theme and this year’s is ‘The Big Recycling Hunt – focuses on “missed capture”: the items that can be recycled but are commonly missed in the home. ‘
They’re really keen for children to get involved and like to focus on schools to take part. Primary schools in England and Northern Ireland can sign up for the Action Pack Recycling Challenge competition – this is a great way for teachers to get their students involved in recycling. Plus, who doesn’t like a bit of competition?
Their website is packed with a wealth of resources for teachers and community leaders to get the little ones started.
This month-long campaign aims to create awareness to improve the health of our sewers, drains and seas. This campaign was first launched in 2019 and since then, thousand of Britons have made pledges to change their kitchen and bathroom habits.
So much of what we put down our drains have a wider effect on the environment and their website will help how you can change your habits.
This annual campaign encourages us to refuse a disposable cup and instead use a reusable cup. Disposable cups really are unnecessary and alternatives are so much better for the environment.
Their website states “Daily in the UK we use more than 7 MILLION DISPOSABLE CUPS – 500,000 are dropped on the floor! UK is one of the worst in the World in disposable cup waste using 2.5 billion cups a year – this would create a pile of disposable cup waste as big as the Albert Hall in London!
We have 4 times more cafes in the UK as there were in 2000. Branded coffee shops have grown from around 600 to nearly 7500 outlets. Around half the coffee we drink is from a disposable cup! Recycling or compostable cups are not the answer! STOPPING is the answer!
We don’t need to use any disposable cups ever. It is very simple to carry a reusable cup with you. It is also very simple for coffee shops such as Starbucks, Costa, Cafe Nero and Pret to stop serving coffee in disposable cups and make reusable take-away cups more obviously available and cheaper in price.
Or better still, make your own coffee before leaving the house 🙂
Unlike many environmental problems this one is not hard to fix – it can be fixed overnight!”
International Walk to School Month – 1st October to 31st October 2023
Living Streets have a month-long campaign to encourage parents and children to walk to school. Promoting travel habits that are better for the environment, awareness for road safety and the joy of exercise, there are may ways to get involved.
In addition to this, it will help improve air quality near the school and ease congestion. Do what you can.
There are some fabulous #WalkToSchoolStories on their website from the UK and around the world
This is an Environmental Day for 2023 that many people can get involved in.
International E-waste Day – 14th October 2023
Initiated by the WEEE Forum, International E-waste Day is to shine a spotlight on the increasing concern surrounding electronic waste and advocate for the conscientious management of e-waste.
Their website states – “This year’s edition will run under the slogan “You can recycle anything with a plug, battery or cable!” highlighting the issue of invisible e-waste – the electronic items that often go unrecognised and are not properly recycled within the appropriate waste stream. While e-waste is often associated with discarded gadgets and devices, a significant amount of electronic waste remains hidden in plain sight.”
I recently wrote a blog about ways to lower your digital carbon footprint, check it out here
Led by the Tree Council, National Tree Week is the UK’s largest annual tree celebration. Each year, thousands come together to plant trees to mark the start of tree planting season.
Their website states “Trees are heroes of nature. They sustain wildlife, create oxygen, purify our air and are absolutely beautiful. National Tree Week is the perfect time to celebrate our trees and remind everyone about all they do. After all, learning more about all the incredible things trees do is an important first step on our journey to a tree-filled future. So, any way you can, whether its sharing the campaign on social media, an email to colleagues, taking part in our competition, or just talking to friends, let’s celebrate our trees!”
Check out their website to see how you get involved in this great Environmental Day for 2023.
Held annually on 5th December, World Soil Day focussed on directing awareness towards the significance of fertile soil and championing the sustainable handling of soil assets.
Healthy soil is crucial to food production, biodiversity and intense farming over the decades has depleted a lot of the nutrients needed for food security.
That’s a load of key Environmental Days for 2023 to keep you busy, if you get involved with any of these, do let me know, I’d love to shout about it for you.
A little something else I wanted to share is that my blog is in the Top 15 of the ’15 Best UK Eco Friendly Blogs and Websites’. Woo Hoo!
As people have become more aware of the environmental impacts of their purchasing habits, conscious consumerism has started gaining popularity in recent years.
At its core, conscious consumerism is about being mindful of the products and services we choose to buy and use. Thinking about the impact those choices have on the environment, society, and the economy.
The concept
Every purchase we make has an impact, whether it’s a positive one or negative one. By choosing products and services that are produced in a socially and environmentally responsible way, we can help create a more sustainable world. From opting for products that are made from sustainable materials to supporting businesses that puts fair labour practices at the forefront.
It is a growing awareness of the environmental and social impact of consumerism. A great example of this is how many people are now aware of the negative impact of fast fashion has on the environment and the lack of fair labour globally. By choosing sustainable clothing and supporting ethical brands, we can lessen fashion’s negative impact
Similarly, the food industry has also come under much scrutiny in recent years. Many people are choosing to purchase locally sourced food or organically to support sustainable agriculture and reduce the carbon footprint of their diet. By buying local produce and supporting sustainable farming, we can reduce our food’s environmental impact.
Conscious Consumerism starts with taking responsibility for your own impact on the world around us. By consciously choosing our products and services, we can shrink our carbon footprint and build a sustainable world. This can include reducing disposable plastics, using energy-efficient appliances, and supporting sustainable transportation
One of the key challenges is the sheer volume of products and services available on the market. With so many options to choose from, it can be difficult to know which products and services are truly sustainable. This led to certification programs, informing consumers about their purchases
However, it’s important to note that certification programs are not perfect, and there is still a lot of debate about what standards should be used to define sustainable and socially responsible practices. Although, some critics argue they are too lenient, and that they don’t do enough to hold businesses accountable for their actions.
Additionally, this can involve researching products and services and keeping an eye out for greenwashing. If you’re unfamiliar with the term, check out my blog.
Conscious consumerism involves a holistic approach to our consumption habits, considering the impact of our choices on the world around us beyond just buying sustainable or socially responsible products and services
These are my opinions and some ideas that work for me but may not work for everyone. Here are my terms & conditions for further reading
The effects of climate change are regularly featured on news and social media and, in recent years, has become a more pressing issue. It’s apparent that our decisions are having an impact on the world around us. There are many ways to become more sustainable such as reducing plastic waste, recycling and changing a few habits which can make a difference.
Here are my 10 ways to help you live a more sustainable life.
Tip 1 – Buy Second-Hand
I’m a huge fan of this because you will be buying something that has already been produced. A lot of resources are used to make our clothes and many people are exploited. Dirty water sometimes enters the waterways causing wider issues. You’ll also be supporting charities who are in desperate need of money and there’s a good chance you’ll find something at a fraction of the original price. Check out my blog on how to save money – Who doesn’t want to save some money?
I’m not saying ditch meat completely, for some people, that’s not possible. Reducing the amount of meat you eat can make a difference because the meat industry has a massive effect on climate change, not only from production but transportation too. Starting with Meat-Free Mondays provides an ideal launching point
This will not only help the environment but it will also save you money. Repairing leaky taps is the number one thing to fix and having showers rather than baths is a great way to reduce your water consumption. I have a water butt which captures rainwater, if you have the space, think about getting one to collect rainwater. You may be able to find second-hand water butts online.
Tip 4 – Sustainable Food Shopping
In recent years, there has been an explosion of zero waste shops. This is where you take along your empty jars/containers, fill up with what you need and pay. No plastic packaging, no waste. Sometimes, it can work out cheaper buying what you need and reduces food waste. Plus, you’ll be supporting a local business and that’s always a good thing!
We rely on cars to get around but if you are able to take a stroll to your destination, that’s always a better option. If you have one, use your bike instead. Cars cause a lot of pollution and walking (or cycling) is better for the environment and your health too. Especially, if it’s a lovely day! Try having a staycation instead of jetting off somewhere as air travel is a huge carbon emitter.
Tip 6 – Switch off Appliances
As technology continues to advance, it increasingly dominates our lives, with daily consumption contributing to the escalation of carbon emissions. Unplug the things you aren’t using – mobile phone chargers, kettles, toasters, lights – they all consumer energy unnecessarily. Another great tip is to switch your energy usage to a sustainable supplier.
Meal planning is a great way to reduce waste because you are buying only what you need and you’re not wasting money (or food). Any leftovers can be eaten the next day. Additionally, through meal planning, you will be more inclined to purchase loose fruits and vegetables, thus effectively reducing unnecessary plastic waste. Need some meal planners? I’ve got you covered!
Tip 8 – Clean the Back of your Fridge
Now, this is one I wasn’t aware of! All fridges can gather dust at the back. Surprisingly, the dust means the fridge has to work harder to run efficiently which uses more energy. I will be the first to admit that I had never removed the dust from the back of the fridge but I do this every six months.
Tip 9 – Go Paperless
Ask yourself if you really need a printed copy of your bank statement? Do you file it? Do you shred it? We have the technology at our fingertips should we need to access this information. Additionally, this can be kept online but if you prefer to keep a copy, save them to your cloud storage or a USB stick.
Tip 10 – Make Do and Mend
This is one of my favourite sustainable tips! Certainly, during the second world war, people repairing clothes left a lasting impression on me, but as time passed, subsequent generations seemed to lose this valuable tradition. Thankfully, it’s starting to make a comeback. How many times have you discarded an item of clothing that has a hole in it? Sometimes, all it needs is a simple repair are there are many websites that show how to repair. In most cases, a small sewing kit will be enough.
Sustainable living looks different to everyone, there isn’t a right or wrong. There plenty of ways to save money too. Here are some more tips and DIY projects
Something I always say – start small, do what you can, build from there.
If you’d like to have a look at self-care sustainable living, check out 8 Busy Mum Eco Swaps Self-Care Edition – packed with tried and tested DIY recipes, cost comparisons and money-saving voucher codes.
These are my opinions and some ideas that work for me but may not work for everyone. Here are my terms & conditions for further reading
Wanting to live in a way that is kinder to the environment has always been something I’m working towards. Ditch old, wasteful habits and adopt new, sustainable eco tips and hope my daughter picks up these habits tips as if they were the norm.
Since I started navigating this quest to sustainable living, I’ve found it a struggle to pick the eco-friendly option when I’m don’t have a lot of time (or haven’t had much sleep!)
Thankfully, I’ve learned some simple eco tips to help me and I wanted to share them with you. From one mum to another 💚
Eco Tip 1 – Reusable Bags
Let’s start with an easy one. This eco tip is an easy one. Use reusable bags when you go food shopping. Now, I know you’ve probably heard this before but I’m not talking about plastic carrier bags or bags for life. I’m talking about supermarket trolley bags. These are specifically designed to sit across the supermarket trolleys. If you shop in a supermarket where you can scan and pack as you shop, you can pack it how you like rather than waiting at the checkout. They come in a pack of 4 (each bag is a different size) and I bought them in a charity shop for £2.50, it was still in it’s original packaging – RRP is about £20ish. I’ve had mine for about 2 years and they’re still going strong. Just leave them in the boot.
Eco Swap 2 – Meal Planning
Meal Planning – Food waste is a huge problem and meal planning is a great way to reduce any food waste. If you’re anything like me, and find cooking a real chore. I tend to lean towards one pot meals or slow cooker meals. There’s loads online and I’ve got one on my website you purchase and download, no waiting time. Another great option, if it’s within your budget, is to try Gousto or Hello Fresh. These have been a life saver because I don’t have to figure out what to cook. I pick the recipe and everything is delivered to my door. We never have any waste from these and there’s loads to choose from. If you do have the budget, I highly recommend trying these out.
Composting – Before I moved house, my previous local council would collect food waste separately. Sadly, the new local council don’t seem to offer this so I’m in the process of getting my compost bin up and running. I’m really glad my daughter and I love eating fruit. We have banana skins, apple cores and orange peels that can easily be composted as well as loose tea leaves (I love my tea!). If you’re interested in starting your own compost, follow me on Instagram as I’m going to post about it regularly.
Eco Swap 4 – Second Hand
I’m sure we’ve all heard this before and some of us probably already do but I had to include it. For some reason, there’s still a stigma towards charity shops. Those who carry this stigma have no idea what they’re missing out on. Two years ago, I wrote a blog about some things I bought second-hand. I’ve bought loads since so it may be a good opportunity for me to do another blog on it. Check out this fab blog from Simply Saving on some great finds.
I’m sure most of us already use refillable water bottles but cutlery is a real bug bear of mine. I hate going somewhere and they have those single-use disposable plastic cutlery. Bamboo one’s aren’t something I buy because that’s just more waste and need to move away from single use. I learned something that’s much better and doesn’t cost you anything! Take your own cutlery from the kitchen! Just wrap it up in a kitchen towel, use is when you’re out and pop it in the wash when you get home. No waste. You could even keep a set in your bag, if your bag is anything like mine, you’ve probably got everything else in there!
I’m a huge fan of easy tips that make my life easier – it’s busy enough, I don’t want to add to it.
If you’d like to subscribe to my blog, just sign up to a free download and you’ll be added to the mailing list. Who doesn’t love something for free and there are some worksheets to keep little ones busy while you’re doing trying to do four things as once!
These are some ideas that work for me but may not work for everyone. Here are my terms & conditions for further reading
Encouraging children to care about the environment, for me, is crucial. From a young age, we notice how naturally curious children are and their eagerness to explore the environment around them. Ever remember when your little one tried to crawl up the stairs completely oblivious to the dangers or trying to take a sip of your wine?
Encouraging them to use that curiosity to care for the environment and natural world around them requires a little support from us and it’s something we can do as a family.
In a survey conducted in 2021, “Nearly 8 in 10 8-15 year-olds (78%) agreed that looking after the environment was important to them, and more than 8 in 10 (81%) said they wanted to do more to look after the environment“. As time goes on, I wouldn’t be surprised if this increases.
Children learn a lot from their parents and when they see us doing something, positive or negative, they tend to adopt that. In order for them to care about the environment, we need to show them how to do it – after all, they’re going to inherit the planet from us.
Here are some things that work for me
Spend time outside
This is always the best place to start. I remember why my little one was at nursery, she loved getting her hands dirty in the mud and it never bothered me when I picked her up covered in mud. She enjoyed it.
Looking for wriggly worms, spotting birds, watching a cheeky squirrel try to eat food from a bird feeder or even getting them to run around on the grass barefoot is a great way to connect with nature (plus, it’s free to do!) – We’ve got a freescavenger hunt download in the shop you can use.
Allowing them to love and care about the environment around them and having those memories will encourage them to protect it as they get older.
A great way to get kids involved is to take part in Community Garden Week which is usually around April time in the UK.
Alternatively, You could also bring in the outdoors indoors (I’m not talking about muddy shoes) by looking at the types of leaves they’ve collected, looking at the different colours, shapes and sizes. Encourage them to ask questions and if you don’t know the answer, look online.
Check out this fabulous blog for some other things you can do for a great day out in the park
Get them involved in recycling
My little one enjoyed getting involved in putting recycling in the correct bin that now she does it automatically.
Children naturally want to be helpful so if there’s something to do, they are keen to get involved. Teaching them which bin an item goes into is so important because as they see us recycle, they will adopt that as the norm and more likely to continue doing that as they get older.
Coincidentally, This was where I got the idea to create the Sort the Recycling Waste print at home game.
We laminated our one so my little one can play it over and over and it keeps her busy while I’m trying to do something (another plus).
Rather than waiting for it to arrive, it can be downloaded and printed at home. Great if you need to come up with something quickly to occupy them.
Another great tip is to get them to apply for their very own Green Blue Peter Badge. My daughter got one for eco efforts and she’s really proud of it.
Growing food
It’s important for them to know where food comes from, how it’s grown and how much work is needed to grow it.
I always think back about the time when my ex-husband’s nephew was asked where eggs came from. His reply was Tesco. Everyone else found it funny but I found it a little sad. Surely he should have be corrected – he was six.
Pick something easy and doesn’t take up a lot of space (especially if you’re limited on garden space). Strawberries are great to start with. My little one and I grew strawberries and she loved it (here’s my blog about it). In addition, she regularly checked to see if it needed watering and remembered me telling her that the evening is the best time to water them. It felt like her own little project and she enjoyed the fruits of her labour.
We’ve grown potatoes, carrots, strawberries and spring onions (the onions didn’t go well). I would highly recommend growing something your little ones will eat. They (and you) will get such a sense of achievement by eating something you’ve grown yourself – trust me!
Plants
Insects pollinate the food we eat so they are crucial to our survival and biodiversity. A great way to help our pollinating friends are planting flowers.
Sunflowers are a favourite in this household. Plus, we make it a bit of a game. We have a competition to see who’s sunflower is the tallest. My daughter has won every time and I’m hoping to win this year. Start off them inside as seedlings. Once the frost is over, get them used to being outside and then plant them permanently outside.
Insects love colours so there are so many flowers you could plant – go nuts!
You could attempt to build a bug hotel from things you find in the garden. Or buy a bird house and encourage nature to come into your garden. Just watch your kids fascinated with them and learn to care for the environment.
Why not try a game that teaches children to sort animals into their habitats? It’s print at home so you can get started straight away!
Eco dates
There are a number of dates throughout the year celebrating the environment. A household favourite for us is Earth Day which is celebrated on the 22nd April every year.
Many schools get involved with environmental issues and can be continued at home. My little one loves doing puzzles and activities which led me to create some digital downloads. This has encouraged her to learn more about the environment and ask questions. I’ve created some free ones too.
It’s important to keep having conversations about the environment. If they find a bug when you’re out and about, encourage to think about what that bug was up to, where they’ve been, where it lives.
Think about toys and games they ask for. My daughter was invited to a birthday party and one of the pass the parcel games was a bee jigsaw – which she won. We learned so much about bees and she’s still got it.
Museums (and there are some free ones) tend to have great installations about the environment and are usually over the half-term period. Check them out.
Recently my daughter said something that really made me smile. We were on the way back from school and it started raining heavily. Us Brits usually like complaining about the rain (or the weather in general) and I complained about not bringing an umbrella. She said “The rain is fine, the trees and plants get to have a drink”. I still smile about it now.
These are some ideas that work for me but may not work for everyone. Here are my terms & conditions for further reading
If you want to adopt more sustainable living practices into your home, check out the 30-Day Eco Swap Challenge – it’s only £7
UK Eco blogger who cares about sustainable living, loves writing about environmental awareness days, Sustainable living ideas, and self-care the eco way – without judgement
