It's cool to be kind to the environment, but in 2018 that means more than saying no to plastic bags and ditching plastic-bottled water for refillable glass flasks. Brands are upping their ethical game with recyclable packaging, sustainably sourced fabrics and organic beauty ranges, so it's no wonder we're all looking to live a more ethical lifestyle.
So, where to start? Living a greener life is easier than you think. Here are five simple swaps to make to live more sustainably.
SWAP your grab-and-go lunch for sustainable sustenance
It might seem impossible to stay ethical when your only options for lunch are a sea of sandwich chains, but brands are picking up on the fact that consumers want their cheese ploughmans with a side of sustainability. Pret A Manger will knock 50p off your coffee if you bring a reusable cup and have installed filtered water stations so you can top up your glass bkr water bottle for free, while Costa Coffee recycle all waste possible, also roasting coffee with a 100% renewable energy supply.
If you're on the hunt for a post-work snack, download Karma, an app that lets you buy unsold but nearly out of date food from restaurants, cafes and grocery stores at a lower price so it doesn't go to waste.
SWAP your go-to outfits for green threads
It's hard to resist the lure of the high-street, but when you remember that we sent a massive 300,000 tonnes of clothing to landfill in 2016, fast fashion doesn't seem so stylish when it leaves a lasting impact on our environment.
GANT's new Beacons Project. The new line of shirts designed with sustainability in mind takes plastic out of our oceans and uses it to produce high-quality yarn, with shirts featuring recycled plastic buttons and recycled packaging. The shirts were also produced with an innovative water-saving wash process.
SWAP your everyday toiletries for conscious cosmetics
With sea-polluting plastic microbeads officially outlawed, the appetite for sustainable beauty has never been clearer. The key to a greener beauty routine is doing away with single-use plastics and instead opting for recyclable packaging, plus choosing natural products over harsh chemicals and shopping brands that source their ingredients in a sustainable way.
We love Bybi Beauty's all-natural skincare range and Optiat's reviving scrubs made from repurposed coffee grounds, with both brands using recyclable (and Instagrammable) packaging. Consider the planet protected and your shelfie game upgraded.
SWAP thoughtless tourism for living like a local
Unless you plan on trekking to Tasmania, it's hard to avoid racking up carbon emissions completely. Instead, make memories in the most sustainable way possible by using sites like Bouteco to find boutique eco hotels or Eco-companion which also features lodges, tours and conservation projects with sustainability at the heart of their business.
When you get hungry, locate an eco-friendly bar or eatery on Kynder and seek out local, traditional artists to buy your souvenirs from rather than a shop importing crafts from overseas.
SWAP your social media feed for zero-waste warriors
When your feed is filled with far-flung destinations, bottomless brunches and a different #OOTD every Friday night, it's easy to end up putting content before your conscience.
Instead, follow accounts like @trashisfortossers and @kate_arnell who post tips on how to reduce your waste and live more sustainably, while @ftoxins and @revival.collective offer advice on how to shop fashion and beauty with an organic, ethical and conscious mindset. For more information on the Beacons Project, make sure you follow @GANT ASAP.
Shop your sustainable starter kit below...
Optiat Lemongrass Lifter scrub, £9.99; Odylique Lavender Cleansing Bar, £6.50; Pai Rosehip BioRegenerate Oil, £22; Bybi Prime Time facial polish, £14; GANT Women's Tech Prep Oxford Popover shirt, £110; bkr bottle, £28
Find out more about GANT's Beacons Project and how you can shop more sustainably here
Isabella is a freelance journalist who has written on young women's issues, entertainment, TV and film, South Asian representation, mental health, dating and so much more. She has bylines in ELLE, Cosmopolitan, Good Housekeeping, Prima, Digital Spy, Women's Health, and Harper's Bazaar, and was named 30 Under 30 by MediaWeek, PPA and We Are The City. She was also shortlisted for Workplace Hero at the Investing In Ethnicity Awards and Hero of the Year at the European Diversity Awards. Follow Isabella on Instagram, Twitter and LinkedIn.
