Sustainability….. we’re told time and time again how vital it is.

We are living in an time where people are more and more concerned about the future of the planet than ever before. With talk about our carbon footprint, climate change and how the quality of life for future generations will be compromised by our damaged environment, the concept of sustainable living is becoming more and more important to think about.

Sustainability is about looking at the long-term outlook. At how our actions now will affect our children’s lives, and our children’s children’s lives. It’s about finding ways to not  deplete the earth’s resources or causing pollution at rates much faster than the earth can renew them.

At The Sanctuary BNE we are always doing our best to Reduce, Recycle and Re-Use as we believe the only thing we should leave behind are footprints.

Here are 5 things that we do to try and reduce our footprint on Mother Earth:

1. Re-Use boxes and packaging we receive plus packaging from friends and family

We keep all the packaging we receive from our deliveries and re-use where we can, that’s why from time to time you might receive a package from us that may be in a box that has been previously utilised, the box may not look pretty but the contents inside always will be!

2. Use biodegradable packing beans

We have sourced bio degradable packaging beans for padding out and protecting your parcels. These packaging beans are made from cornstarch and dissolve when they come into contact with water, try it out when you receive your next order.

3. Use craft paper for packaging

As well as using the bio-degradable packaging beans we also use recycled craft paper when packaging up your orders.

4. Use cardboard boxes instead of plastic satchels

Most of our orders are packed into recycled die cut cardboard boxes instead of the typical plastic satchels available through usual postal suppliers.

5. Use LED Lighting

All of the lighting in our apartment which currently doubles as The Sanctuary BNE HQ are LED lights, which use much less power, omit less heat and last up to 3 times longer that regular light bulbs.

Your probably wondering “What types of things can I do to help when it comes to sustainability and the environment. Here are some examples to get you started:

1. Reduce, reuse, recycle

It’s an age-old concept, but one that has stood the test of time for good reason. Reducing your waste is perhaps the most important here, seeing as the less we use, the less we need to in turn reuse or recycle. For example, reusable coffee cups and straws make great investments to avoid nasty disposable plastic.

When reducing isn’t an option, reusing is the next best thing. For instance, glass jars, containers or cans are perfect for filling with dried pasta, nuts and seeds.

When all else fails, it’s important to recycle. Recycling is obviously better than simply sending your waste off to the landfill, but an even better scenario would be to reduce the waste to begin with. But when there's no other way, reach for the recycling bin.

2. Catch public transport

Another great example of sustainability is the decision to leave your car at home and catch public transport instead.

Obviously, not everyone lives somewhere it’s possible to walk, run or even cycle to work, but it’s often a possibility to swap your car for public transport. By leaving your car at home and choosing to jump on the bus, train, tram or ferry, you’re not only helping reduce pollution, but you’re actively saving money!! Heck yea!

3. Solar energy

One of the best things about solar energy is that it’s free and available in limitless supply (that’s once you’ve installed solar panels and given the sun is shining!). By replacing non-renewable energy with solar energy, you’ll not only be energy efficient, but financially efficient, too.

4. Grow your own garden

The food you purchase from the market goes through a process where food is grown, transported, and stored before it can reach the shelves of a supermarket. The food that reaches the shelves of a grocery store is not always grown through sustainable methods. You can help reduce your carbon footprint and reduce negative environmental impacts by growing your own food in your backyard or balcony.

5. Compost kitchen waste

Try to use as much food from your kitchen as possible. Any unusable raw waste can make great compost fertilizer in your garden.

It’s super important to think about our everyday actions. Whether it’s through deciding to leave your car in the driveway and catch the train to work, buying clothing made in a sustainable way or considering sustainable development choices at home or at work, it’s the responsibility of each of us to leave this world in the best possible condition for our children, their children and all future generations to come.

If in doubt, think green!