Check out our latest blog where we’ll explore how simple changes in our kitchen habits can make a big difference. From choosing seasonal, local vegetables to creatively using leftovers, every small action can help reduce our environmental impact. By being mindful of where our food comes from and how we prepare it, we can enjoy holiday meals with the peace of mind that we’re making greener choices.
Join us as we dive into tips, recipes, and ideas for a sustainable holiday season. Whether you’re a seasoned eco-warrior or just starting your journey towards sustainability, there’s something here for everyone!
#1 A TASTY SOLUTION!
Did you know that Britain’s top supermarkets generate over 800,000 tonnes of plastic packaging waste each year? It’s a staggering figure that highlights the immense environmental impact of our everyday shopping habits. Fortunately, there’s a simple and delicious way to help reduce this waste: switch to a farm box subscription service!
Farm box subscriptions offer a fresh, sustainable alternative to traditional grocery shopping. These services deliver seasonal fruits, vegetables, and other farm-fresh produce direct to your door, and have tons of other benefits too…
1. Cutting Down on Packaging Waste
Supermarkets often rely heavily on plastic packaging to transport and display their products. Farm box subscriptions, on the other hand, prioritise minimal and eco-friendly packaging.
2. Supporting Local Farmers
These services typically source their products from nearby farms, ensuring that you receive the freshest produce while contributing to the local economy. This not only fosters community relationships but also reduces the carbon footprint associated with transporting goods over long distances!
3. Enjoying Fresh, Seasonal Produce
Farm boxes are filled with seasonal fruits and vegetables, ensuring that you enjoy produce at its peak flavour and nutritional value. Eating seasonally also means that the produce requires fewer resources to grow, making it a more sustainable choice.
4. Reducing Food Miles
The distance food travels from farm to plate is known as “food miles.” By sourcing your produce locally through a farm box subscription, you significantly reduce these food miles. This means less fuel consumption and fewer greenhouse gas emissions, helping to combat climate change.
5. Convenience and Quality
Farm box subscriptions offer the convenience of home delivery, saving you time and effort. Plus, the quality of the produce is often superior to what you might find in a supermarket, as it is picked at peak ripeness and delivered quickly. This means better taste and nutrition for you and your family.
So making the switch is a win-win situation: delicious, nutritious food that supports local farmers and helps protect our planet.
Make a difference with every bite this festive season!
#2 SUSTAINABLE STORAGE
Did you know that Britain uses over 1.2 billion metres of clingfilm each year? That’s enough to circle the globe 30 times!
This holiday season, why not skip the plastic wrap and opt for reusable alternatives instead? By making this simple switch, you can significantly reduce your plastic waste and contribute to a healthier planet. A practical and eco-friendly solution to keeping your food fresh without the environmental guilt is beeswax wraps!
They are a fantastic alternative to clingfilm. Made from cotton fabric coated in beeswax, tree resin, and jojoba oil, these wraps are naturally antibacterial and can be moulded around food and containers using the warmth of your hands. They’re perfect for wrapping sandwiches, covering bowls, and storing fruits and vegetables. Plus, they can be washed and reused!
Feeling crafty? You can even make your own beeswax wraps at home! Here’s a simple guide to get you started!
#3 WASTE NOT, WANT NOT!
With Christmas dinner fast approaching, it’s easy for our eyes to be bigger than our bellies! As we prepare for festive feasts, it’s important to consider the environmental impact of food waste. Did you know that around 30% of household waste is made up of food scraps and organic materials? Instead of tossing it all away, why not embrace home composting?
Home composting is the most environmentally-friendly way to deal with kitchen and garden waste. By composting, you can significantly reduce the amount of waste that ends up in landfills, where it contributes to greenhouse gas emissions. Plus, composting transforms your food scraps into nutrient-rich compost, which can be used to fertilise your garden in the summer. This not only helps your plants thrive but also reduces the need for chemical fertilisers.
So, this holiday season, let’s make a conscious effort to minimise our waste. After enjoying your delicious Christmas dinner, collect those vegetable peels, fruit scraps, coffee grounds, and even eggshells, and start your composting journey. Your garden (and the planet) will thank you!
Let’s make this festive season greener by turning waste into a valuable resource!
#4 CHEERS TO A PLASTIC-FREE FUTURE!
Choosing metal cans or glass bottles over plastic is a win for the environment!
Metal and glass are infinitely recyclable materials, meaning they can be reused and recycled without losing quality or purity. In contrast, plastic can take hundreds of years to decompose, during which time it releases harmful chemicals into the environment and contributes to pollution. By opting for metal and glass, you’re not only reducing plastic waste but also supporting more effective recycling processes.
This simple switch helps decrease the demand for single-use plastics, reduces plastic pollution, and keeps toxic chemicals out of our ecosystems. Plus, metal and glass often have a lower overall environmental impact compared to plastic, making them a more sustainable choice.
So, next time you’re shopping or looking for a special drink to celebrate, choose metal cans or glass bottles. Your choice makes a difference, helping to create a greener, healthier planet for us all. Cheers to making sustainable choices!
#5 MYTH BUSTING COOKING
The myth of indestructible non-stick pans has found its way into countless kitchens around the world, promising effortless cooking and easy cleanup. But there’s more to the story that every home cook should be aware of.
Health experts and environmental advocates have long warned about the hidden dangers of non-stick cookware. Many non-stick pans are coated with Teflon, which contains perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) and other harmful chemicals. These substances have been linked to serious health risks, including cancer, and can potentially leach into our food as the pan wears over time.
Despite their convenience, the potential health hazards associated with non-stick pans are significant. As you prepare for the festive season and cook up a storm, consider making the switch to stainless steel cookware. Stainless steel pans are durable, free from harmful chemicals, and provide a healthier option for your kitchen. They offer excellent heat conductivity, are resistant to rust and corrosion, and, unlike non-stick pans, don’t release chemicals into your food.
So, while you’re busy crafting that holiday feast, take a moment to think about the cookware you’re using. Switch to stainless steel for a healthier cooking experience and a cleaner kitchen. Your well-being – and the well-being of your loved ones – deserves nothing less.
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With these just being a few examples of the many ways you can make changes in your home this festive season, we hope that we’ve inspired you to try something new, shift your perspective and hopefully inspire others to do the same!
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On the SHiFT platform, there are now hundreds of solutions available at just the click of your mouse and filters that help you refine the options down to the ones that are most appropriate for you.
We don’t need everyone to do everything, but we do need everyone to do something. What will your next SHiFT be?
We encourage you to share your actions across social media to inspire others to join you in making a difference in their own lives, communities, businesses and wider world.
by eXXpedition Team
