Over the past few years, there has been a monumental shift in environmental awareness. More pressure on governments to inforce changes to environmental laws. Calls for manufacturers to take more responsibility for what they produce. Many people across the country have started to make conscious changes in the way that they shop for food, clothing, and other consumer products. Opting for products with plastic-free packaging, refusing to buy into 'fast fashion,' and no longer relying on single-use plastic bags.
It will be no different this year. More and more people are embracing a sustainable everyday lifestyle. Here are a few tips and simple switches to increase the sustainability of your yard life.
Car sharing
Heading in the same direction as a fellow livery? Take turns to drive each other. Or perhaps split the work so each of you does one start or end of the day. Does that mean a lie in?!
Invest in eco friendly packaging.
Look for a feed or bedding company that actively try's to reduce their carbon footprint or uses more eco friendly/recycled materials. If unsure speak to your local feed merchant and see if they have any recommendations.
Reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Buy more in bulk to reduce the packaging and travel per item, might even get a better deal on the price!
Look for a shampoo and cleaning products that offer a refill service rather than using many plastic bottles. 'Honest Equestrians' do a great range in aluminium bottles!
Use those old plastic bottles and make homemade fly spray or as a mist sprayer for planting herbs.
Give to charity. Super easy and gives you a warm fuzzy feeling. The Horse Trust will take your old rugs, saddles, bits, and bridles for their tack sales.
The RSPCA takes headcollars, lead ropes, and turnout rugs that are in 'reasonable and usable condition.' Or give your bits a second life by donating them to the Gambia Horse and Donkey Trust.
Try to save water.
Wastewater is still a problem in the UK, despite the weather! Be mindful of how much water you are using for daily tasks. Make sure to repair any leaky taps around the yard. A water-but is a great way to gather and store water to use around the yard.
Shop sustainably
Only buy items if you need them, not just if they are in the sale. (I know it's hard!) Do you need another saddlecloth? If the answer is no, save yourself some pennies and get the full use out of yours!
Invest in high quality products, might be more expensive initially but will last longer, save you money in the long run, and prevent more waste, a win-win!
Second Hand
Rise of the 2nd hand marketplaces! Such as Facebook, Depop, Vinted, and the original Ebay! If you need anything always worth a browse, you can grab a great bargain, many new but never used items too. Better to buy something 2nd hand rather than contribute to a company that does not align with your morals.
'Hand me down- Equestrian' is a brilliant Equestrian marketplace where you can by 2nd items and new items from eco conscious companies.
Ditch the wipes and sponges.
More than 8 million tonnes of plastic are dumped into our oceans each year. Remember many people being imperfect is better than a few being perfect!
Cut down on wipes and sponges. Unfortunately they are all plastic. Compostable sponges are now a brilliant alternative! Old shirts cut up into rags are great for cleaning tack and boots, pop in the wash and reuse time and time again!
Read product labels.
Avoid products that do not list their ingredients, usually laced with chemicals.
Read up on clothing labels too! Plastic can be labeled as many different things! (another blog will come on this)
Be aware of Greenwashing. If it sounds too good to be true from a big company, it probably will be. Please don’t be afraid to ask those questions, if you are unsure of the credentials they are stating, ask about them. Be inquisitive, you might learn something interesting!