Sustainable swaps: simple changes with a big impact

When we’re filling our supermarket cart or snapping up the latest fashion trends, it’s easy to forget that the choices we make every day have a profound impact on the environment. From the products we buy to the habits we cultivate, every decision can contribute to harming the planet or helping it. Sustainable swaps are a practical way to reduce our environmental footprint. And with so many alternatives now available, they are getting easier and easier to make.

What are sustainable swaps?

Sustainable swaps involve replacing products or practices that are damaging to the environment with greener alternatives. These changes can be as small as switching from single-use plastic bottles to reusable ones, or as significant as transitioning to renewable energy sources in our homes. 

By making these swaps, we can reduce waste, lower carbon emissions and conserve natural resources. This contributes to a healthier planet and a more stable climate. 

There can be knock-on benefits as well. For example, by choosing eco-friendly products, we are supporting companies that prioritize environmental responsibility, encouraging more businesses to follow suit. After all, companies go where there is consumer demand.

Sustainable food swaps

One of the most impactful changes we can make is in what we eat. About a third of all climate change is caused by food, says Dr. Sarah Bridle, who is an expert in climate-friendly eating. A big chunk of that comes from animal products.

She gives the example of spaghetti bolognese. A moderately sized portion made with beef causes over six kilos of climate-warming emissions. This is twice the three kilos per person per day we should be aiming for. 

That’s because cows are ruminants that burp methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Additionally, producing meat requires a huge amount of water. An estimated 1,800-2,500 gallons of water go into a single pound of beef. 

The good news is that there are simple solutions.

• Choose chicken over beef: The emissions from a chicken spaghetti bolognese – and chicken dishes in general – are three times lower than the beef version. Want to go a step further? Switching to beans or lentils, which are good sources of protein and fiber, halves the emissions again. 
• Meatless Monday: Skipping meat just one day a week – it doesn’t have to be Monday – is another effective way to curb your carbon. In fact, it is the equivalent of taking a car off the road for five weeks. Add a second meatless day, and the numbers really start to add up.
• Food waste: This is less a sustainable swap and more a good green practice. Globally, roughly a third of all food produced is lost. Food waste also accounts for a massive 8% of greenhouse gas emissions. Reducing food waste and composting more of your kitchen scraps can significantly reduce emissions from food production and uneaten food decomposing in landfills. Want to know more? We partnered with low-waste chef Max La Manna to produce this practical food waste reduction toolkit.

Sustainable fashion swaps

Making sustainable swaps in our wardrobe is another impactful way to show the planet some love. The fashion industry is one of the largest polluting industries in the world, contributing 8-10% of annual global emissions. With the rise of global fast fashion brands, our planet is being overwhelmed by the manufacturing, shipping and disposal of bad-quality clothing.

Like food, there are some easy ways to fix the problem.

• Slow down: Get off the fast fashion hamster wheel of rotating trends and poor-quality clothes. Instead, take time to explore your personal style. Build a wardrobe of sustainable and ethical fashion that focuses on versatility and quality.
• Buy vintage: Vintage clothes are hot. Hunting down ‘new’ pieces in markets and thrift stores can be an adventure in itself, and you are more likely to find unique, well-made items.
• Hold a clothes swap: Literally swapping clothes with friends and family is fun, cheap and eco-friendly. It’s like refreshing your wardrobe without spending a penny. In addition, every garment that is reworn and reloved is one less that ends up in landfill.
• Wear, repair, repeat: Got a hole in your beloved sweater or a rip in your favorite jeans? Don’t throw them out. If you’re not handy with a needle and thread, join an online community and learn how to mend. Fixing Fashion, for example, offers ideas, techniques and easy-to-follow video tutorials. 

Transport and energy swaps

Less is often more when it comes to the energy we use to power our lives. Swapping cars and devices for more sustainable alternatives is crucial for reducing our environmental impact. These changes help lower greenhouse gas emissions, minimize air pollution and conserve natural resources. Transitioning to renewable energy sources, like solar or wind power, for powering devices further supports the shift toward a cleaner, greener economy.

• Public transport: Whenever possible, use public transport, bike or walk instead of driving to get where you need to go. In 2022, private cars and vans were responsible for around 10% of global energy-related carbon dioxide emissions. Leaving your car at home, even for a few trips a week, will help put a dent in that number. You may find your health and fitness improving as well.
• Energy-efficient appliances: Energy-efficient appliances consume less power, saving both energy and money over time. If an appliance breaks down, see if it can be repaired before buying a new one. E-waste from discarded electronics grew a massive 82% between 2010 and 2022. E-waste can be toxic. In addition, a huge amount of valuable resources are lost because only a fraction of e-waste is recycled. 
• Solar-powered devices: Consider solar-powered chargers or lights instead of battery-operated or electrically powered ones. Solar-powered devices reduce energy consumption and are often more durable. An increasing number of these devices are available for balconies and gardens, camping trips and so on. Although recharging times can still be quite long, the technology is improving all the time. 
• Solar panels: If you have the means, consider solarizing your entire home with solar panels. Some governments offer subsidies or other incentives for renewable energy installations.

Plastic-free sustainable swaps

Plastic has a smaller direct impact on climate change than food, fashion and transport. Even so, plastic pollution is a major environmental issue. When plastics break down, they eventually become microplastics. These tiny particles are extremely harmful for wildlife and the ecosystems they depend on. 

Reduce your plastic use with these sustainable swaps:

• Reusable containers: Single-use plastic bags, water bottles and coffee cup lids are big sources of plastic waste. Replace them with reusable alternatives, such as a canvas tote or stainless steel water bottle. Get into the habit of taking these items with you, so you are never caught short at the check-out.
• Bulk shopping: Shop in bulk stores where you can bring your own containers, reducing the need for packaging. Don’t have containers? A growing number of companies sell rice, lentils, granola and other dry goods in reusable jars. You pay a small deposit on the jar, which you get back when you return the jar to be refilled. 
• Beeswax wraps: Replace plastic wrap with beeswax wraps for packed lunches and food storage. Beeswax wraps are reusable, washable and compostable at the end of their life. Feeling creative? You can easily make your own wraps in about 30 minutes. They make great gifts too.
• Bar soap: Instead of liquid soap in plastic bottles, use bar soap. It often comes wrapped in paper or cardboard. The same goes for liquid washing detergents. Opt for powdered detergents that don’t need plastic packaging.
• Bamboo toothbrushes: Swap your plastic toothbrush for a biodegradable bamboo one. Plastic toothbrushes clog up landfills faster than you can say ‘smile’. Billions are discarded around the world every year. Bamboo toothbrushes, and often their bristles as well, are made from a renewable resource that biodegrades naturally after use. Oh, and while you’re at it, you could also consider switching to sustainable toothpaste tablets. These usually come in a recyclable metal or glass container!

Small changes, big impact

Sustainable swaps are a powerful way to protect the planet. By making small changes in our daily lives, we can collectively make a big impact on the health of our planet. Whether you are  just starting your sustainability journey or are looking to do more, these easy swaps offer practical steps toward a greener, more sustainable lifestyle.