Green Knights… 5 Easy Things You Can Do to Save the Planet

At the 2024 AGA in Bodwyddan we were challenged to make our lives a little greener by changing current habits to ones that can help reduce waste and use fewer resources.

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A large part of what we do as Templars is supporting charities and good causes. And what greater cause to support than the planet we live on? We only have the one, and without it all the other hard work we do becomes a little pointless.

Saving the planet is a big ask and it’s not something any one person can do on their own. However, it is something we can do together. But where to start?

Below are five easy things you can start doing right now that will have an immediate impact.

1. Switch from single use plastic water bottles to cans of water. I know we’re all supposed to carry refillable water bottles these days, but how often do you forget to take it with you or leave it in your car? If you’re anything like me this happens all the time. What you can do is switch from water in single use plastic bottles to water in cans. It might seem odd, but this one change can make a huge difference. Firstly, it takes over 90% less energy to recycle an aluminium can than it does to make a can from new metal. A metal can, can also be recycled indefinitely whereas a plastic bottle loses some of its material every time it goes through the recycling process.

   
   

2. Whilst we’re on the subject of water. When you buy your can, look out for brands like One and Thirsty Planet. They donate part of their profits to helping those areas that still don’t have access to clean drinking water. Don’t drink water? Swap out your Coca-Cola or Pepsi for brands like Karma. Not only do they use Fair Trade ingredients in all their drinks they use actual cola nut in their cola. And Karma also donate a portion of their profits to help those communities who grow the cola nut, something the big boys don’t do.

   
   

3. Use Ecover washing up liquid and laundry powder. Ecover use plant-based, biodegradable ingredients that leave dishes and clothes clean whilst reducing the number of chemicals we pour down the sink. And if you buy a 5l refill instead of individual smaller bottles you’ll reduce your single use plastics by 46%. An easy double whammy of planetary goodness.

   
   

4. Staying with washing up, consider swapping out your regular sponges for ones made from wood cellulose and coconut fibre like the ones made by Yolaist. Their sponges are non-scratch and once you’re done they can be recycled or composted. And if they do end up in landfill they’ll degrade naturally and end up as worm food rather than sticking around forever as microplastics.

   
   

5. Our fifth tip comes from our grandparents in the form of reusable shopping bags. Dead easy, you just have to remember to take them with you. And whilst we’re talking bags, you can get decent bin liners that are 100% biodegradable rather than being made of plastic. Another easy fix to a massive problem.

If you have any other tips and tricks that you do to make your lives greener please leave them in the comments.