When it comes to being more sustainable, working out where to start can be overwhelming! It's important to remember that no matter how small our steps may seem, they can make a big difference. We have put together a list of things you can incorporate into your daily routine to improve your quality of life and be more sustainable.
Love talamh 🌎 This World's Earth Day we would like to invite you on a very rewarding trip of cautious choices and a happy life. By being with us, you may have noticed that the business we were lucky to grow, also is a platform that we use to help local communities, embrace the Irish language and share our passion for sustainable living. Because it is a lifestyle, we wish that the only trace we leave is joy, sprinkled with laughter. Surely chats can be done, tapping shoulders encourages, but the change happens in real actions and these large or small always, always matter. As difficult as it may sound, let's stop for a moment and reflect on how our grannies and grandpas lived a crack on sustainable lives, not even knowing they were what we now call an 'eco friendly approach'. They respected what has been, and, we believe, still is essential: water, soil, air, people. Watch elderly people, they know the tricks, they do it best. We are not inventing a wheel, but the reach of our actions must be wider and conscious. Go to our blog: https://irishsocksciety.com/blogs/irish-socks-blog/sustainability-in-ireland-guide for a few very simple steps, each of us can take, to start living in a better balance with nature. Our Socks of Nature come with a free package of Irish Native Wildflower Seeds that attract bees and butterflies 🦋 🐝 #earthday #socksofnature #wildflowers#seeds #bees #butterfles
Posted by Irish Socksciety on Friday, April 21, 2023
Did you bring your own? One of the best ways to be more environmentally friendly is to remember to bring your own reusable products with you when you’re out galavanting. Water bottles, lunchboxes, coffee cups, cutlery, and metal straws are items we can bring with us. Many places around town offer a discount when you bring your own containers.
You total legend! Did you know that plastic bags can take 20 years to decompose? Popping some reusable bags into your every-day bag means you won’t forget them. And let’s face it, it’s much more stylish to be seen with your tote bag than a plastic one.
Eat more plant based meals! In many parts of the world, crop land used for animal agriculture is resulting in mass deforestation. Habitat loss on this scale is a climate change issue, and opting to swap your foods for plant based versions can make a huge difference. If you’re not ready to cut out meat completely, start by reducing it in your meals.
Buying your fruit and vegetables from your local organic farm means you are reducing your environmental footprint, cutting out plastic packaging, and supporting local growers. Many local farms have open days where you can see the soil your carrots grew in, and purchase the vegetables that don’t make it to the shops at a lower price — further saving on waste!
Cool kids compost their leftovers! If food goes to the landfill and rots it produces methane, and when we waste food, we devalue all of the time and resources taken to produce it. If you don’t have access to brown bins, you can get a small composter for your kitchen counter and read up on how to repurpose coffee grounds and other waste materials in your garden. Oh and don’t forget, you can save all your veggie scraps in the freezer to make a delicious stock for winter soups.
Use Eco-friendly cleaning products in your home. Many cleaning products on the market are harmful to our oceans and environment, not to mention ourselves. Next time you’re sprucing up your nest, choose eco-friendly alternatives or try making them from scratch, there is nothing a bit of baking soda, vinegar and lemon juice can’t sort out!
Turn off the taps. Being mindful of our water usage is an excellent way to help the planet and live more sustainably. When we have access to fresh running water we can take it for granted, so every time you turn on the tap, remember to be conscious of how much is going down the drain.
New wheels? Getting around on yer bike instead of driving is a brilliant way to be more eco-friendly. If you don’t have your own bike, there are plenty available to rent at various locations around Ireland.
Buying less, buying better and making sure to think before we buy. When purchasing something, aim to shop second hand first, and for new items, invest in high quality, well-made products — they will last longer and bring you joy well into the future.
Take action! We all have different skill sets and access to resources, and as a result being sustainable looks different to everyone. You can get involved in climate conscious events, share content on your social media platforms, chat with others about the sustainable solutions you’re trying, and vote for change that is focused on protecting our planet.
At Irish Socksciety we try to do our bit by using OEKO Tex cotton which is an incredibly high standard of cotton that ensures there are no harmful materials used in the production process or finished product. All of our sock labels are sewn on with cotton instead of plastic, our packaging is sustainable, and we encourage you to repurpose it. We are also proud members of Guaranteed Irish and supporting our local markets and economy is at the core of everything we do.