2022
3How can you shop in a more eco-friendly way?
From overbuying and unnecessary packaging to food waste. The way we shop can have a bigger environmental impact than we realize.
In the UK, food and drink account for around a quarter of the average household's carbon footprint according to the Carbon Trust. UK households throw away around six million tons of edible food every year, according to estimates from the UK's leading waste reduction charity. But there is good news. A few simple changes to the way you shop can make a real difference.
So where should we start?
One of the easiest wins is cutting back on single use plastic. Swop disposable carrier bags for reusable shopping bags, a basket or a trolley. It won't solve the plastic crisis, but it helps reduce the amount of plastic ending up in landfill, rivers, and the sea. You can also bring your own containers when you shop, many zero waste and refill stores, let you fill reusable jars with staples like rice, pasta, or cereal, and some cafes and takeaways will accept your own container for food.
Buying only what you need also helps cut food waste. Another simple switch is to drink tap water instead of bottled water.
Is food the only area where we can shop more sustainably?
Not at all. The same principles apply to almost everything we buy, before replacing something, ask yourself whether it can be repaired, extending the life of everyday items reduces waste, and cuts the demand for new products. And if you're not confident fixing things yourself, there are plenty of online tutorials and local repair cafes that can help.
Buying secondhand is another easy way to reduce your impact, whether it's clothes, furniture, or homeware, choosing pre-owned saves resources, and often saves money too. If you're after a new pair of denim shorts, for example, buying them secondhand avoids the environmental cost of producing a brand new item, especially compared with fast fashion. The same goes for electronics, where refurbished devices are often a smart alternative to buying new.
You can also reduce waste in the bathroom and around the house, swopping shower gel for a bar of soap, using shaving soap instead of foam, or choosing refillable or solid toiletries can all help cut plastic packaging. Toothbrushes with replaceable heads and toothpaste tablets are becoming increasingly common too.
Finally, think about switching to reusable products wherever you can, refillable coffee pods, washable makeup remover pads, and reusable period products, such as menstrual cups, period pants, or washable pads can all reduce waste over time. There you have it.
词汇表
carbon footprint [ˈkɑːbən ˈfʊtprɪnt] 碳足迹（个人或活动产生的二氧化碳排放量）
edible [ˈedəbl] adj. 可食用的，可以吃的
easy wins 容易做到的事，轻松获得的成果
disposable carrier bags [dɪˈspəʊzəbl ˈkæriə bæɡz] 一次性购物袋
trolley [ˈtrɒli] n. （英）手推车，购物车
landfill [ˈlændfɪl] n. 垃圾填埋场
refill stores [ˌriːˈfɪl stɔːz] 散装补充式商店（允许顾客自带容器购买商品）
reusable jars [dʒɑːz] 可重复使用的罐子
staple [ˈsteɪpl] n. 主食，基本食品
pasta [ˈpæstə] n. 意大利面（通心粉、面条等）
cereal [ˈsɪəriəl] n. 麦片，谷物早餐
tap water 自来水
tutorial [tjuːˈtɔːriəl] n. 教程，辅导课
repair cafes [kæfeɪz] 维修咖啡馆（社区中提供免费维修帮助的场所）
homeware [ˈhəʊmweə(r)] n. 家居用品，家庭器具
pre-owned [ˌpriːˈəʊnd] adj. 二手的，先前使用过的
denim shorts [ˈdenɪm] 牛仔短裤
fast fashion 快时尚（低成本、快速更新的服装零售模式）
refurbished devices [rɪˈfɜːbɪʃt] 翻新设备，整修过的电子产品
shower gel [dʒel] 沐浴露，淋浴凝胶
shaving soap [ˈʃeɪvɪŋ səʊp] 剃须皂
foam [fəʊm] n. 泡沫；剃须泡沫
refillable [riːˈfɪləbl] adj. 可补充的，可再填充的
solid toiletries [ˈtɔɪlətriz] 固体洗漱用品
toothpaste tablets [ˈtæbləts] 牙膏片（固体咀嚼式牙膏）
coffee pods [pɒdz] 咖啡胶囊（单次用咖啡粉密封容器）
makeup remover pads [pædz] 卸妆棉，卸妆垫
menstrual cups [ˈmenstruəl] 月经杯（可重复使用的经期收集杯）
period pants 经期内裤（可吸收经血的可水洗内裤）
washable pads 可清洗的卫生巾，可水洗的护垫
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