Simple Changes - Sustainable Outcomes!

It’s no secret that the world we’re living in is slowly but surely being destroyed by our choices and actions as individuals. However, it’s not all doom and gloom, we have the power to switch this up!

Some simple changes, a more conscientious effort and an overall awareness of how we can work towards a more sustainable future will help to drive a positive impact!

Be knowledgeable

With the internet giving us immediate access to a multitude of information, there's no excuse!

Source information that better equips you to work towards a more sustainable future. There are plenty of organisations, including The U Brand, that are working towards making our planet a better place and there’s plenty of opportunity for us to get involved. Better still, when you’ve filled yourself to the brim with some top notch dos and don’ts on sustainability, speak out and speak up! (Louder for the people at the back!)

Speak out and speak up

Having a voice and an opinion is easy but having that voice heard and expressing that opinion can sometimes be the hard part. No need to go around shouting at the top of your lungs but there are a few things you can do to get the ball rolling:

1. Share some insight with family and friends on making small lifestyle changes such as the products we use, or the food we eat and where it sourced from.

2. Speak to the brands that you use the most and don’t be afraid to ask questions to ensure you’re making the best informed decision that you can. For example, if it’s a clothing brand, how are these products sourced and are they made with the environment in mind?

3. Social media is also a great tool to let your voice be heard and ask companies and brands questions, don’t be shy to use it in this way!

Travel smart

Let's face it, not using a car at all is hard, especially when you want to escape everyday life for a weekend away to a desolate place in the middle of nowhere. The U Brand Int is not about making drastic changes that affect the quality of your life but it is about working towards more natural and environmentally conscious decisions on a day to day basis. One thing I love about being in Bristol is easy access to anywhere within the city on foot or bike - good for the environment, mind, body and soul!

Think twice before you reach for those car keys, if it’s doable on foot or bike, go for it!

Eat sustainably

Just a few considerations can go a long way to sustainability. One being expiry dates. If you’re throwing food away as soon as it hits that ‘use by’ date, you could be wasting perfectly good grub! Be mindful that this is just a guide and refers to the food's quality, rather than its safety. There’s also a difference between the ‘sell by’ and ‘use by’ date. The ‘sell by ‘ is the deadline for retailers. Whereas the ‘use by’ is a guideline date for when the product will not be of it’s best quality anymore. To maximise the shelf life after a food shop, ensure your fridge and freezer are cool enough - 40°F (4°C) for your fridge and 0°F (-18°C) for your freezer should do it!

Reduce plastic

It's got to the point where plastic has become a very unwanted invasion into this world and if we want to save this planet, there has been no better time than the presence! It has morphed its way into many aspects of our life. It's in everything from cosmetics, packaging, textiles, phones, to chewing gum and more! Cutting plastic consumption is no easy task as it required both a change of habit and mindset. Next time you go to buy something covered in plastic, think twice and think sustainably.

The above are simple changes and considerations that when applied daily, and made by many, can lead to a huge positive impact. One quote that truly resonates with The U Brand, is that ‘The greatest threat to our planet is the belief that someone else will save it’ - they won’t! It’s up to us as individuals to take responsibility for the changes that need to be made in order for us to work towards a brighter, more sustainable future!

Something as simple as changing from a plastic to bamboo toothbrush, can have a huge affect on the plant. To understand the impact that a plastic toothbrush is having on the environment, you can check out 'The Plastic Toothbrush Problem' blog here.