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5 simple ways to shop better for our environment

Last year, the UK Government increased the single-use carrier bag charge from 5p to 10p. It extended it to cover all businesses in England, hoping that this will further reduce the use of single-use plastic by customers. Since the charge was introduced in 2015, single-use plastic bags have been cut by a massive 95% in major supermarkets.

As customers, we have embraced reusing grocery shopping bags. Recent statistics show that the average household has gone from using 140 single-use plastic bags to just 4! Four!! What an incredible example of positive consumer action. A recent survey by charity WRAP revealed that almost three-quarters of the adults surveyed favoured the 10p charge. It means that consumers – us – are aware of the wide-ranging benefits of our positive actions on the environment and are happy to support it.

What’s even better is the impact of changing just one small element of our usual weekly shop has global and local positive benefits. Along with the positive waste management aspects of a massive reduction in single-use plastic - less plastic floating in our oceans or going into the local landfill; the positive message is that changing a tiny element of our usual weekly shop is achievable. And what’s more, we could build on that to include other positive actions.

So, what other small changes could we make when shopping that both helps the environment and is realistically achievable?

Here are five suggestions that you can make whilst enjoying the edible delights of Southwold. These ideas support local businesses at the same time as supporting Mother Earth against climate change.

1. Know what’s in season and buy that

There is a reason why almost every article about becoming a more sustainable shopper includes a point on buying seasonal produce. It works, and it is one of the easiest and most effective ways to support local farmers and businesses while reducing your carbon footprint. Little Gems, Southwold’s local greengrocers offer seasonal fruit and vegetables locally. At the same time, Duchies coffee shop only uses seasonal produce in their offerings.

2. Schedule your shopping

It’s referred to as the last mile problem - that last leg of any journey where the food moves from shop to home. How it gets home has a massive impact on how environmentally friendly your shopping is. From the good, you walk home or take public transport to the bad if you drive home in a gas-guzzling 4x4. One option is to incorporate your shopping trip into a pre-planned journey. For example, if you are planning a holiday in Southwold through Suffolk Secrets or Durrants Holiday Cottages, ask them to recommend some local shops that can arrange food packages ready to pick up en route to your holiday home.

3. Choose local, British food

Buying local produce helps support local businesses and farmers. It also means that the food is likely to be local and therefore reduces its impact on our environment.

On top of that, you are more likely to hit point 1 as most locally sourced food is generally seasonal food too. Head to Mills and Son’s for locally sourced meat, Two Magpies Bakery for locally produced pastries and bread using local ingredients and Slate