With the rising cost of living hitting us hard it’s time to think green.
Between rocketing energy bills, petrol pump rises and supermarket shopping going up we’re all feeling the pinch.
And it’s fair to say that eco-friendly choices might be the last thing on your mind.
But in actual fact you might be surprised at how much money you can actually save by reducing waste.
By taking small actions to reduce what you buy, re-use what you have, buy second hand, and avoid food waste, you can save hundreds if not thousands of pounds a year.
Another great way to reduce costs and help the environment at the same time is by ditching disposables.
While investing in some reusable options might cost a little more, you’ll save much more in the long run.
Here are some top swaps to save you cash.
1. Cling Film vs. Beeswax Wrap
Even with the best intentions of smoothing out and reusing clingfilm, it’s not the easiest thing to manage.
If you’re buying a £1.50 box of clingfilm every month, you’re spending £18 each year. Not the highest number, but when you combine it with other expenses, it all mounts up.
Switch to reusable beeswax wraps that will protect your food in the same way. They can be used over and over again and come in a range of sizes. Plus, when you’re done with them, you can throw them into your compost bin.
Beeswax wraps, Fruit, 3 pack (2 x Medium, 1 x Large), £12.50, from kempii.co.uk.
2. Bottled Water vs. Refillable Water Bottle
You already pay to have water available in your kitchen tap, so get a reusable bottle and start refilling. If you buy a bottle of water for lunch every working day of the year then you’re racking up around £230 based on a typical £1 a bottle price. But if you make the simple swap of getting yourself a metal water container, you’ll be saying no to plastic waste, as well as saving hundreds a year.
With a stainless steel bottle, your water will stay cooler throughout the day too.
Stainless Steel Water Bottle, 750ml, £20, Kempii.
3. Take-away Lunch vs. BYO Lunch in Reusable Container
With more people back working in offices, take-away-lunch-at-the-desk habit might be creeping back in.
Paying for lunch can add up to over £1,000 each year, not to mention a lot of packaging waste.
You can make your own lunch at home for a fraction of the cost. Bring it to work in whatever container you already own or impress your colleagues with a stylish new lunchbox.
Stainless Steel 2-in-1 Lunch Box Set, £26.50, Kempii.
4. Disposable Coffee Cups vs. Reusable Coffee Cup.
Single-use takeaway coffee cups are a major waste, which is why many coffee shops offer a discount if you bring your own reusable cup, so if you buy a coffee every morning before work you’d save cash by simply bringing your own cup.
Reusable cork coffee cup, £18.50, Kempii.
5. Kitchen Roll vs Swedish dishcloths
Let’s face it, kitchen roll is handy for mopping up all kinds of spills, and it’s easy to get through at least two rolls a week. At around £2.50 per roll, that adds up to a mind-boggling £260 across the year.
Swedish dishcloths are the perfect alternative, as they can absorb up to 15 times their weight in water. They’re both reusable and compostable and can last years with proper care.
Swedish dishcloths (Pack of 4, £5.50), from Kempii.
6. Disposable Razors vs. Safety Razor
A safety razor can save you a lot of money over time. If you take proper care of it, it will be the last razor you ever buy.
They also look better in your bathroom as an added bonus.
You realise quickly that it’s the way everyone should shave.
The average disposable razor only stays sharp for around six to nine shaves, meaning if you use one to shave daily, you’ll be throwing away some 40 to 250 razors per year.
Disposable razors can average around 89p per razor, so by ditching them you can save about £40 per year.
Safety Razor and Stand, £25.50, Kempii.
