How saving the planet can save you money

There are lots of changes you can make that will help you save money while also tackling the climate crisis.

Buy less through practising mindful consumption

The purchase that has the least harmful impact is the one you don’t make at all.

Consumer culture tells us that we need to constantly buy new things. We’re pushed to upgrade, replace and refresh even when it’s not necessary.

Sustainable living, on the other hand, encourages more mindful consumption. It gets you to step back and consider the lifetime of the product you’re purchasing. It makes you think how was it made, how long will it last and how will it be disposed of? Essentially, it encourages you to ask yourself whether you really need it.

When you consider these things, you end up buying less and focusing on quality over quantity, resulting in long-term savings. Here are key ways to practice low and mindful consumption.

Repair

Try to make what you have last before considering buying a replacement. By extending the life of appliances and clothes, you conserve resources and reduce demand for new production.

If you’re having laptop troubles or your vacuum cleaner has lost its suction, first try taking it down to your local repair cafe to see if someone can help you fix it.

Fixing holes and tears in your clothes are useful skills to help you extend the life of your wardrobe.

Borrow or swap instead of buy

Another way to buy less is to share what you have with your community. For example, you could organise a clothes swap with your friends or colleagues.

Do you need a specific tool for a DIY job? Find your local Library of Things and see if you can borrow it.

Buy second-hand

Choosing second-hand over buying new means you reduce the pressure on harmful supply chains and keep perfectly usable clothes and electronics from ending up in landfill.

Explore tips and recommendations on how to buy second-hand clothes.

You can find second-hand refurbished technology, including phones and laptops, on websites such as Back Market.

For books, check your local charity shops or websites such as World of Books and Oxfam.

On the hunt for furniture or maybe a bike? Check out sites such as eBay, Facebook Marketplace and Gumtree to see if you can find what you’re looking for.

Bring down energy bills

Energy efficiency is one of the simplest ways to save money and reduce emissions. Small tweaks at home can lead to big savings over time.

If you can make changes to your home, insulating is a great way to minimise heat losses and use less energy.

If that isn’t an option for you, you can try these simple fixes to draught-proof your home.

This will conserve heat and allow you to lower your thermostat by at least 1°C. You likely won’t notice the difference in comfort, but you’ll feel it in your bills.

Small changes around your home can have a big effect on saving energy and bringing down costs. Why not try to switch to energy-efficient light bulbs or wash clothes in full loads and at lower temperatures.

Eat less meat and eliminate food waste

Meat and dairy can be some of the most expensive items on your shopping list. Shifting towards a more plant-based diet is not only good for the environment, it’s also budget friendly.

Dropping meat from your diet altogether can be a daunting and unrealistic change, so why not start small and eat plant based on weekdays and save meat for weekends. You could also try out a new plant-based recipe and share it with friends at a dinner party.

Minimising food waste is also key to reducing the environmental impact of your food. Make your food go further and freeze your vegetable scraps to make stock.

Cut fuel costs

The cost of owning and maintaining a car is higher than you might think, and fuel costs can quickly add up. Choosing low-carbon transport options can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality while also being cheaper.

Public transport is perfect for mid-length journeys and you can swap short car journeys for walking or cycling.

Benefits for you and the planet

You don’t need to do everything at once! Whether it’s replacing your light bulbs or rethinking how you shop, every action counts and over time, adds up.

Taking action for the planet can improve your life in many ways. Whether you want to improve your health, learn a new skill or strengthen your community, our Find Your Climate Action tool can help you discover actions that benefit both you and the planet.