Tips for getting started
One of the best ways to become more sustainable is to find ways to reduce the waste your household produces. This can be done in lots of ways so ideally try a few and see what works for you.
Refill shopping: we are lucky enough to have refill shops locally in both Lee (Shop Without Plastic) and Greenwich market (Art of Zero Waste), as well as the touring stall from Wasteless Market which pops up at lots of farmers markets and at Bexley Originals. Local greengrocers are a great option and often also have some refill options. Do ask your local store as if they know it is wanted they may be able to offer some options.
If you are new to refill shopping see if you can go with a friend, remember your own containers (any sort you like, Tupperware, storage jars, paper bags or tins and wide neck bottles all work).
Shop second hand when you can, this cuts down on the amount of new goods needing to be produced and gives those made already a second life.
Reuse and repurpose where you can, ice cream cartons, jam jars, cardboard boxes and packing paper can all be really useful. If you have space create a reuse corner to keep those bits handy.
Cutting down waste doesn't have to be more expensive.
Refill shopping allows you to buy just the amount you need.
Check the yellow label section to see if there are food items you can use before they get thrown away.
Look at https://www.thefullfreezer.com/ for lots of great tips on how to freeze and reuse all your food safely. This can really help on cooking time, reducing food costs and cutting waste that needs to be collected.
Charity shops, apps like Vinted and Depop, selling sites like Ziffit and Music Magpie, Library of Things (Woolwich Library) and many more can help you shift from buying new to shopping and selling second hand. Great for your budget and the planet.
Greenwich and Bexley Hospice run a great project called Repurpose (now at Nathan Way and Blackheath Standard) turning unwanted items into beautiful furniture and gifts.
Whether you start by changing your toothpaste, committing to remember your reusable cup, shopping bag and packed lunch, moving your bank account, or looking at your energy provider the important thing is to start with something that works for you.
If you try something and it is making life really difficult, is too expensive or all your household hate it you don't have to stick to it (unless you fancy winning them round).
Find a change that works and it can become the first of many.
Thinking about food, it is great to grow your own if you have any outside space, particularly herbs and soft fruit that don't need much room and are expensive fresh. If you can fit in a compost bin or wormery that can really help to handle food waste. Buy local produce where you can access it and afford it and visit Sitopia and Roots 4 Life to see all the great growing projects going on locally.
Remember to focus on what you can control.
If you don't have the power to change something it can waste your time and energy and lead to anxiety. Tackle a few things that you can find time and budget for and when those are a fixed habit and don't require extra energy pick another one.
Definitely start with anything that will make your life easier and cheaper, whether that is something big like solar panels or insulation, or something smaller like tackling food waste or switching one bathroom or cleaning product to a plastic free option.
South East London Community Energy have loads of great tips on things to do at home https://selce.org.uk/change-to-save/ and can give loads of advice at their energy cafe's.
Share what you find a good solution for with friends and family, in person or on social media. Others are far more likely to make a change if they hear what has worked for you.
Come and talk to us at the network about what you are doing and help us get more groups involved.
You can also find lots of help and advice at https://www.greenerandcleaner.co.uk/ which is a local charity helping communities get greener in the way that works for them.