Many of our shopping decisions have an effect both on our overarching environmental impact and on the day-to-day air we breathe at home.
Take stock of what you have in your household as well as your shopping habits because identifying where and how you can make more environmentally-friendly purchasing decisions is a great way to reduce your impact. A good starting point is to ask yourself the following questions:
Do you shop at large supermarkets or opt for your local butchers, bakers, grocers and farmer’s markets?
- Purchasing produce grown locally reduces the amount of plastic packaging used as well as the air miles your food needs to travel on its field-to-fork journey. We also have more about how you can reduce your food waste here.
Are you frequently receiving home deliveries?
- Consider the impact these often diesel-fuelled journeys have on air quality each time you order new products to the house. Move away from the convenience of quick shipping and place orders only when required, opting for click and collect when possible. Also minimize the purchases of new products, especially those that are heavily-packaged or resource-intensive.
What are the companies you’re purchasing from doing to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions?
- If your research shows it’s not a whole lot, consider supporting climate-action organisations that consciously reduce their impact.
Do you consider the impact your home appliances have on your greenhouse gas emissions and indoor air quality?
- Making changes such as using natural cleaning products instead of toxic chemicals, opting for an electric or push lawn mower instead of petrol, and investing in appliances like air purifiers and dust-reducing vacuum cleaners are all steps in the right direction.