Why buy stuff when you can use waste?

In this current age of mass consumerism, easy online shopping and the very disposable nature of being able to buy pretty much anything, only for it to dumped after a short shelf life; now more than ever do we need an eye on the world of waste.

COP29 is taking place right now, with the world’s leaders discussing how they help tackle the devastating effects of climate change. For us normal folk, living with our families and working hard to earn a living, there is very little we can actually do to help contribute to a more green and environmentally friendly community where we live.

Some of us have chosen to be vegan, drive an electric car or have solar panels built on our homes. But all of these, and more, have its complications and are often very expensive ways of ‘doing our bit’.

I, Danny, have had a hybrid car for a couple of years now and I even went vegetarian for 2.5 years, only to dramatically fall off the meat wagon (as it were) on a family holiday in Cyprus (that’s another story!). I’m passionate about recycling and always try and use less energy at home when I can.

But it’s even been proven in the UK that we can’t recycle all our waste as we don’t have the infrastructure for it, so some of it is shipped to China and burned- argh!!

Often it all just feels fruitless and what we do doesn’t make a difference. When you look up in the sky and see all the hundreds of planes flying by and look up the facts, the burning of fossil fuels is still the number one form of emitting greenhouse gases. Nothing can change that without legislation from governments around the world.

So what can we do to make a difference?

Buy less stuff. That will reduce waste, emissions from its production and transportation AND, if we delve in to our recycling bins at home there is a whole world of stuff we can hoard and make stuff with to entertain our kids at home! Cardboard loo roll holders can make a fun play telescope if stuck together; cardboard packaging can be transformed in to a makeshift car track for toy cars making bumps, hills and more; and plastic bottles can be filled with water at different levels to make individual notes and a unique instrument just by blowing in to them!

So, what are you waiting for? Get your hands dirty and let your child’s imagination soar AND help the world’s future, even it’s just a little bit…