Shopping

The challenge

Read the pdf document below to find out what the Eco Family got up to in January:

The event

Eco Family attend the Big Swap - Read our news story about The Big Swap - a free community event where people swapped their unwanted belongings, which has prevented perfectly good items from ending up in landfill. This event was launched as a result of our Eco Family challenge!

Eco Family diary

January was all about ‘going green’ with my family’s shopping habits and to measure any actions taken by this method. Our challenge was to change three habits in the process that we would consider relevant in making a decision to change for the better. As a family, we chose to do the following as a stepping stool to changing our habits:-

Reduce/re-use food waste.
Re-use shopping bags where possible.
Buy second hand/used clothes and other items.

I was excited to take on this challenge as I wanted to be able to show how my family and I have contributed in doing our bit for the environment so far.

Food Shopping

Our shopping habits covered food, clothing and any furniture or goods bought into the home. Firstly our food habits have slightly changed. Especially from the December’s challenge; we are still continuing to be thoughtful and considerate how we can minimise food waste. We found that we were saving money in the long run, as well as cutting emissions. We thought about ways to preserve food for longer. Simple tips included adding small amounts of lemon juice to a left over salad to help keep it fresh rather than throwing out. Buying less or enough food to get through at a time, then topping up, and where necessary, making sure that food in the home had already been eaten before buying more.I was very shocked at reading the statistics for producing food that ends up on our dinner plate -

By the time a typical Sunday lunch, bought in a supermarket, arrives on your plate it will have travelled about 49,000 miles!

I think we take it for granted without realising that what we are doing is damaging to the environment, and in the long term, our future generations to come will be effected.

When we went shopping we also had reusable bags and were pleased to see that supermarkets give out points on re-using your own bags, which can amount to quite a bit if accumulated over a long period of time.

My girls were very interested in making something out of anything left-overs. Food was a favourite making homemade smoothies and desserts from surplus fruit. Using unwanted paper and making into a scrap note book. We found a few other usages for re-using and lasting longer of items around the home, as well as de-cluttering and giving out some unwanted items to close family and friends.

Second hand is still good!

My 6 year old daughter had items of clothing donated to her from a friend’s daughter who had outgrown them. The clothes were from good branded labels and we were very appreciative of this. A piece of second hand bedroom furniture was also purchased during the month saving us considerably if bought brand new. We also got lucky getting a few useful items from Hackney Freecycle that we could do with.

At the end of the challenge we felt more conscious about our habits. We didn’t feel the task a burden whatsoever, in fact it was very enjoyable and the girls made the effort to join in and contribute their opinions on why we should change our shopping behaviour. I think it has made a big difference to my family for the better and I’m hoping to continue this shopping habit because it is visible that it contributes to lowering our CO2 footprint. We will certainly over the coming months try another three shopping habits too."

Staff Diary

We also challenge our staff members to take up the Eco-challenge. Read how our Board Member, Catherine Ross, got on with the Shopping Month.

Don't forget to check out our top tips!

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