The latest Reflecting Ireland research suggests 3 in 4 believe they could do more on a personal level to reduce their carbon footprint. Many are sceptical that anything they do will make any difference, particularly younger people: over half of 18-24 year olds feel this way, and just over a third of those aged 55+.

However, there are little things we can all do that will make a real difference. Follow these tips to live a more environmentally friendly lifestyle, and save money in the process!

How to live the environmentally friendly way

1. Live circular:

Circular living means that instead of the traditional "take, make, waste" approach, we aim to keep things in use for as long as possible. It's about buying less and buying quality that lasts, repairing rather than replacing, and finding new uses for what you already own. In a nutshell, “reduce, reuse, recycle”. Visit www.circular.ie for hints and tips on circular living and to find out about circular initiatives in your area.

2. Find a local repair café:

The European Commission’s Right to Repair Directive is due to be transposed into Irish law by July 2026. It will encourage and support repair services and make it easier for people to repair things instead of replacing them. 

Repair Cafés are free community spaces where people can meet and help each other repair things instead of throwing them away. Some are run by local Councils, others by volunteers. Keep an eye out for local ads. Pop along to one near you and you’ll meet like-minded people as well as expert volunteers, all willing to give you a hand and happy to chat over a coffee. You’ll find the tools, materials and advice you need to get your things fixed, and you’ll have fun in the process! 

3. Take a minute, before you bin it:

Managing your waste properly pays dividends! Segregating your waste items and putting them in the right bin not only reduces the amount of waste that ends up being incinerated or going to landfill, it also saves you money. Most waste providers charge less for handling recycling or organic / food waste, and more for handling general waste. It’s worth pausing before you put something in the bin to make sure it’s going to the right place. For guidance on what goes in each bin, how to dispose of various waste items and where to dispose of them visit www.mywaste.ie.

4. Sip and Save with reusable cups:

We have become a nation of coffee lovers, and it is estimated that in Ireland we dispose of over 22,000 non-recyclable cups every hour. The Conscious Cup Campaign is a non-profit organisation that aims to reduce and eventually eliminate single use cups in Ireland. It promotes businesses and communities that encourage reusable cups. Check out their handy map showing cafés around the country that give a discount or incentive for using a reusable cup.

5. Don’t buy clothes that cost the earth:

In recent years Ireland has enthusiastically embraced fast fashion, now accounting for the second highest level of textile consumption in Europe. Most textile waste comes from household bins and ends up in landfill or processing plants. Very little is recycled.

It doesn’t have to be this way. There are online stores and apps that allow you to buy and sell second hand clothes at an affordable price instead of buying new at a higher cost. Check out www.circular.ie for other initiatives to help reimagine your wardrobe without it costing the earth.

Read the full #ReflectingIreland report

The content of this blog does not constitute advice and is for general information purposes only. Readers should always seek professional advice before relying on anything stated in the blog. Some of the links above bring you to external websites. Your use of an external website is subject to the terms of that site.