As we ease out of lockdown, a period which (for all its negatives) did do some good for the planet, you might find yourself picking up habits that aren’t good for your carbon footprint again.

If, like me, you’ve found yourself getting creative during the time at home (queue makeshift vases from beer bottles and avocado dyeing) then the idea of combining environmental action with creativity sounds like a bit of a dream.

Reducing your carbon footprint doesn’t have to be boring. Creative changes to your lifestyle, however small, will have an impact on your personal emissions and can even encourage others to do their bit as well. ‍

Creative ways to reduce the carbon footprint of shopping

The environmental impact of fashion is undeniable; the industry is responsible for 10% of annual global carbon emissions and is the second largest consumer of the world’s water supply (Worldbank, 2019).

“Avoid buying clothes full stop?’, you may ask, but that doesn’t have to be the case. As consumers, we can choose where to spend our money and if you can avoid fast fashion - amazing! It doesn’t have to be a hurdle either. Why not try:

• Upcycling the clothes you already own
• Organising a clothes swap with friends
• Renting from rental platforms like By Rotation in the UK or Rent the Runway in the US. They’ll give you that fast fashion fix without the guilt trip because clothes exist in a circular system of wear.
• Charity shops or your local Goodwill.

Something I tried over lockdown was buying an old duvet cover and seeing what garments I could make, aiming to waste as little as possible. Ideas for offcuts include a hairband, scrunchie or even combining scraps to make a patchwork facemask - another creative way to reduce the carbon footprint of throwaway masks.

Creative ways to reduce the carbon footprint of food

Using fruit and vegetables that are in season has been somewhat of a revelation during lockdown. Reducing the mileage that is attached to our food contributes to a more sustainable food economy; an environmental cost we often fail to think about when out food shopping.

The challenge of buying and cooking with only seasonal vegetables can make one’s meals more creative. Pawprints recent blog ‘Does eating local food lower your carbon footprint’ lists the vegetables grown locally in the UK over the summer months. If, however, you are in need of some inspiration for seasonal recipes all year round, Cooking in Season by Brigit Binns is the wholesome fix you need.

Conjuring up the summer atmosphere with a bit of hosting, why not try a zero-waste dinner party? Pick local, seasonal ingredients and challenge yourself to waste as little as possible. If you do happen to have leftovers (highly doubtful), they’re almost always perfect for lunch the next day.

Another creative way of reducing your carbon footprint is having a meat-free week or trying meat-free Monday. Reducing meat consumption doesn’t have to be a dull exercise and sharing recipes with friends can create a community feel. These days you don’t even have to host a dinner party to relish in the same food. Zoom dinner party anyone?

Creative ways to reduce the carbon footprint of travel

Coronavirus pushed many of us to dust off our bikes and adorn some questionable cycling gear. Why not extend this look past the pandemic?

If you’d like to cycle to work but need a bit of extra motivation, why not organise a friendly competition with workmates to see how far you can cycle in a week? Alternatively, pick a ‘bike-to-work day’ and combine it with after-work drinks that you can all cycle to at the end of the day. A reward for your effort!

‍Creative ways to reduce your carbon footprint online

One last, and often forgotten, way to reduce your carbon footprint is to use your online presence.

Write a letter to your MP (you can find them at They Work for You) or set up a zoom call with friends to discuss ways you could reduce the carbon footprint of your local community. A chilled evening with organic wine, discussing and actioning this sounds like a fabulous, socially distant, summer plan.

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Thanks to a little more time at home, creative ways to reduce our carbon footprint have weaved their way into our routine, often without us realising. Remember that by tackling your carbon footprint in a way that suits you, and in a way that’s fun, you’re more likely to sustain the changes long term. So get creative with it!

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