How to shop sustainably

Next time you go shopping, think how far the product you are buying has travelled to reach the shelves. As much as you can, buy items that have been sourced, made or harvested locally. Less travel means less carbon dioxide emissions, and for fresh food, in particular, it almost always tastes much better. As a general rule, if you stick to buying seasonal produce, it's more likely to have been harvested locally.

Avoid buying products that have been excessively packaged, or packaged in materials that can't be recycled. Buy fresh fruit and vegetables loose rather than in plastic wrapping. Whenever you go shopping, always take your own bags with you. Plastic is a real environmental problem, both in how it's produced and how it's disposed of.

When you go shopping, choose products that have been responsibly sourced and produced without the use of harmful chemicals or pesticides, such as organic. Consider buying Fair Trade items, from food to clothing. If you are on holiday, avoid buying any souvenirs that may have been manufactured using unethical, scarce or endangered animal products. 

Look for items made from timber that carry the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label. This covers a wide range of products, from wooden furniture to paper and toilet rolls. 

If you enjoy eating seafood, check labels on fish, such as tuna or salmon, to see if it contains the Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) Certification mark.

Products that have been recycled are champions for the environment, so put these on your shopping list. Instead of buying new all the time, browse charity stores, junk shops or visit car boot sales to shop for pre-loved items. You can save a lot of money by shopping this way, and can often come across a real gem of a find.

Granted, you do tend to pay more for green cleaning products, but prices have dropped over the years and many supermarkets have started to produce their own, budget-friendly versions. Cost aside, buying biodegradable cleaning products is better for the environment, soil and water. Containing natural ingredients, biodegradable cleaning products may also be healthier for humans, too.
 

Electrical items in the home can guzzle energy, so if you need to upgrade a domestic appliance or electrical gadget, choose one with the best energy efficiency rating that you can afford. Although it may cost more initially, over time the money you save from reduced energy bills will soon pay for itself.