As some of you may have seen, I featured in this months LINK magazine! I have joined the magazine as a writer for their new sustainable living feature. I Am so excited for this opportunity and have lots of ideas for future articles, of course if there is any particular topics you would like more information about please do let me know.
Below is my first article. Happy reading and I do hope you enjoy it.
As featured in LINK Magazine
Author: Pip Bendall
A bit about me, I am an ethical lifestyle advocate, zero-waste enthusiast, lover of all things hand-made. As a small business owner when I’m not huddled away in my Grantham family home you’ll find me browsing local markets, picking toys up off the floor and running my online sustainable store StudioPips.com
Each month we will be exploring sustainable living & leading a thrifty lifestyle. I’ll be bringing you easy eco swaps, zero waste ideas, up-cycling tips and more!
So what is the idea of sustainable living? Sustainability is meeting our own needs without compromising the future generations to meet their own needs.
Starting a new year, if you are like me, sometimes means making unrealistic resolutions. According to my last three resolutions I should now be a size 8, bilingual, master of all trades (if you haven’t got the gist, I am yet to acheive any of these).
Making a pledge for a few sustainable swaps can be a brilliant way to stick to something that is achievable and has a positive impact on the world around you. If this all sounds a bit overwhelming - don’t panic! We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.
As the days are getting shorter and the weather is cooling down I have listed a few of my simple tips that you can try from the comfort of your own home.
• Recycle – Yes, this one is easy peasy. Set up an indoor recycling bin or basket so it’s in full veiw and top of mind.
• Re-use Jars! - They can be packed with homemade soups or pickles for longer lasting food and easy meal planning. The sky’s the limit for how you can use your jars, you just need to apply some creativity.
• Ditch the kitchen roll! - Cut up old towels and t-shirts to create a more environmentally friendly alternative. Use these recycled cloths around the house rather than reaching for a paper towel for every spill. Having two toddlers this is a lifesaver, I just pop them in a bowl of soapy water at the end of the day and leave to air dry overnight.
• Home cleaning - Make your own home cleaning products with vinegar, baking soda, lemon and essential oils. Essential oils don’t just smell nice many, such as tea tree and lavender, are known for their antibacterial properties. Opting out of chemical cleaners is two-fold, you lose the plastic AND the toxic chemicals.
• Shop local- Taking your own containers, jars, and bags to the market means you’re boycotting packaging all together, and shopping at our local markets supports our small local businesses too.
Being mindful of all purchases and habits is at the core of positive sustainable change. It may not be a piece of (zero waste) cake, but it’s the least we can do for our planet.