Small Great Things

The strap line of Jodi Picoult’s book Small Great Things “There is a fire raging, and we have two choices: we can turn our backs, or we could try to fight it" could easily be adopted by the fight against climate change. Dr Martin Luther King Jr quoted “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way”. So, what does that mean to you or me?

We cannot save the world by upcycling second-hand furniture. But by doing so, we are doing something small but great ... and if EVERYONE did something small and great, then this will surely mitigate the huge problem we all have? Sorting rubbish is now a given for almost everyone now (is it not?). The challenge is to pick something else - even if it's just one thing, one small great thing, and make the change.

Take home less plastic

Around one fifth of household waste is food packaging. Bags for Life are finally commonplace, but you could choose unwrapped fresh fruit and vegetables. Use the fish, butcher and deli counters or shop at local bakeries. Look for products using alternative wrapping such as bamboo, corn starch or cardboard.

Refill and reuse

Don’t leave home without a refillable water bottle or a coffee cup – and a bag for life. Visit shops such as Eco Bonobo in Aylesbury’s Duck Farm Court where you can buy staples such as rice and pasta as well as household cleaning products and shampoos etc by weight; just bring your own containers.

Slow fashion

New outfits don’t have to be new. Nowadays buying charity or vintage clothes for a fraction of the original price is viewed as savvy and stylish, not as cheap hand-me-downs. Host a Swish Party where a group meet at someone’s home to exchange clothes. Everyone takes along clothes they no longer wear, and people can then choose the ones they want.

Greener celebrations

Ditch the disposable. Plastic plates, cups and cutlery, balloons and plastic decorations all take their toll on the environment. Switch to bamboo, paper, or wood alternatives. Better still (storage space permitting) buy quality crockery and glassware from charity shops or at the local Recycling Centre shop. You can always donate them back once used. Make your own decorations or seek out local craftspeople who can sew a string of bunting from recycled fabrics which can be re-used time after time, swapped and shared with friends.

Don’t buy to become sustainable

You do not need to buy new non-plastic storage jars when your existing plastic ones still work. Try not to ‘virgin buy’ i.e. don’t buy from new. Look for alternatives instead whether that’s furniture, clothes, crockery, or homeware.

Shop local – support your High Street

Small shops are lower in energy than large stores that have open fridges, bright lights and aircon. Supporting local supports the local economy where more of your money you spend stays in your area for longer.

Doing some new small great thing to prevent waste, may lead to another small but equally great thing. And these will add up to a big great thing.