Can you make a difference?
Have you heard the saying “No one can do everything but everyone can do something”?
This is something that has always been true but never before more important, and dare I say easy! We have all heard numerous reports on how things are not quite how they should be on earth:
Extreme weather, the decline in habitats for our wildlife, plastic pollution….
Whatever life we chose to live we all have one thing in common: The planet we live on. We can’t get away from that simple fact and with that comes responsibility, I’d say, to try every day to do what we can to make it better.
So what can we do?
Don’t worry. I am not going to tell you that you have to change your entire life. I am going to ask you to do what you can. Let’s start with something small and something in line with what we all as members of Buy Local Norfolk surely can sign up to; Buy local.
And do this both as a business and in your private life. It is easy to have it as an ethos as a business and then forget it all as we get home. Just imagine what a boost to the local economy if we bought all our Christmas gifts from local independent shops and crafters instead of Made In China Inc… And imagine how that could help nature with products traveling fewer miles before reaching us. Wow!
What else can we do?
Recycling of course!
This is another thing that actually does not have to be so hard. Why not, as a small business, encourage your staff to bring anything fabric they don’t want at a certain day? We can collect from you.
This is something we did in Sweden and it was hugely successful and popular as many professionals find it hard to get time to take things to charity shops.
Odd socks, that t-shirt that has not been used for the last 3 years or the dress that doesn’t fit anymore: We want them all!
Furthermore, Hallswood has teamed up with TerraCycle and can today accept everything from crisp packets and pet food pouches to trigger heads from cleaning products. All things that would have ended up in landfill before. As an extra bonus, it also brings in much-needed funds for Hallswood Animal Sanctuary so a true win-win situation.
Recycle with us
More info here: http://hallswood.co.uk/recycle-and-help-us-save-the-world/ . Why not follow the example of more and more local businesses and put a recycling bin somewhere in your premises. We have so many collection points now that it should be fairly simple to find one close by, or we could collect from you if you expect larger amounts.
The pub Lord Roseberry is an amazing example of this as they serve as a local collection point and the owner actually says it has cut down on their waste costs too. Another win-win!
The list can be as long as you like it to be but I think the most important part is that we all do something. It should matter to us all because we only have one planet and there will be no second chances.
What are your best tips?
Maria Thornberg
Some links you might want to look at
For a list of what can be saved from landfill through Hallswoods recycling scheme: http://hallswood.co.uk/recycle-and-help-us-save-the-world/
For a local group inspired by the Hellesdon girl who ignored her bullies and fights to save the world:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/TeamTrashGirl/