We all know that if we all make small changes, at some point we will see an overall massive change. But, once you’ve nailed your recycling, ditched carrier bags and remembered your refillable water bottles and coffee cups every day, where next? So, to help you, Emma Stowell-Corten, has put together 20 small changes that you can make to become even more planet-friendly.

1. Cut down on streaming
OK, I thought I’d get this one out of the way first, as it’s probably the one with the biggest sting... internet usage produces an incredible amount of CO2 and burns an insane amount of energy. A recent BBC 3 programme called Dirty Streaming: The Internet’s Big Secrets shared this fact, that just blew my mind: The number one single Despacito has had over five billion streams online, which is equivalent to the amount of energy used by five African countries over an entire year. Slightly contradicting ourselves here, we recommend you get onto iPlayer and watch the show  – your screen time will drop immediately.

2. If you do want to stream something, do it over Wi-Fi
Streaming over Wi-Fi uses way less energy than streaming over 3g, 4g or 5g. If you like to stream while travelling, download if you can – save that energy.

3. Reduce your consumption
OK, a pretty obvious one this but if you consume less, you impact less. Quite simple. Think before you buy.

4. Take what you need – not what you want
Who doesn’t love a freebie? I know I do and I literally can’t help myself picking up free pens, free pads, free water bottles or whatever when I am out and about at events – but I’ve started to think a bit more about what I can take vs what I need and I’ve tried to stop. It’s just more waste for me to get rid of and I don’t need the stuff! 

5. Avoid dry cleaning
It’s an unwritten rule of the world that dry cleaning comes back to you covered in plastic. That’s not the problem here. The problem I have with dry cleaning are the harsh chemicals the process uses and the impact it has on the planet. Those same chemicals can also make your clothes fade quicker, meaning you’ll need to replace sooner. If you have something that’s dry clean only that needs a freshen up, hang it on the shower rail while you have a hot shower and spray it with your favourite scent when done. 

6. Think 30 when you’re buying new clothes
Can you wash it at 30 degrees and will you wear it 30 times? If the answer is no, don’t buy it. 

7. Make your own
Wool is one of the hardiest clothes materials out there. It’s strong, durable and natural as well as being biodegradable and sustainable, so why not learn to knit and make your own? Not only is this low-impact idea great for the planet, but it’s great for a spot of mindfulness too! 

8. Sharing is caring
Swap books, swap clothes, swap anything and everything you can. You don’t need to buy new – one man’s trash is another man’s treasure and all that. 

9. Three is the magic number
Unless it’s your gym wear or your pants, there’s no need to wash everything every time you wear it. So, why not make a conscious effort to wear everything at least three times before you throw it in the laundry basket?

10. Get milk deliveries
Milk deliveries are everywhere now. Dairies are supplying plant-based milk, orange juice and “normal” milk all in glass bottles direct to your door now, reducing plastic and reducing short trips “up the shop” when you’re out of semi-skimmed (the milk delivery service I use allows you to order up until 10pm the night before).

12. Refill 
Supermarkets are trialling refilling tubs and bottles and there are already a fair few refill shops around. So, where you can, go for an option where you can refill tubs, jars and bottles instead of buying again. 

13. Make a zero-single use plastic pledge
At the start of the year, Instagram was awash with celebs and bloggers pledging to ditch single-use plastic and I think we should all commit to that too. I am terrible for it, simply because I am lazy and always disorganised – must try harder. 

14. Think about your water usage
A drop of water left in your bottle? Use it to water your plants. Half a glass of water left? Pop it in your pet’s bowl – they won’t care. A tiny change, but something easy to help reduce water usage. 

15. Save your packaging
We all buy online – that’s just how it is these days, but we all know that it creates mounds of waste from packaging. Inspired by Eva Chen, I’ve started saving my Amazon envelopes, bubble wrap and the brown paper sent with my purchases to pad out the boxes to reuse. I keep it for wrapping gifts, sending things I sell and school craft projects for my kids. There are also some business and charities that will take it off your hands.

16. Make the charity shop your first point of call for everything
Furniture, clothes, shoes, gifts, books – charity shops are a one-stop shop for everything other than food. If you need anything, head to the charity shop first. 

17. Buy in bulk
I live in the smallest house in the world, but where I can, I buy in bulk. Now, I don’t mean stockpiling like it’s the end of the world, by bulk-buying I mean I buy my washing up liquid in 5L bottles – and the same for toilet cleaner and clothes washing liquid. It saves me money and saves the amount of recycling I put out every week. 

18. Keep an eye on things
Don’t wait until clothes and shows are past the point of repair – keep an eye on them and repair them before they get to that point. That way, you can keep the things you love for longer and you’re not conributing to the landfill so much. The same goes for food – if you think you have something that’s about to turn, do what you need to do to freeze it, so you’re not wasting it. 

19. Buy quality – not quickly
While I totally agree there needs to be a wider conversation about ditching fast fashion and the impact that ditching it will have on developing nations, you really should think about playing the long game – saving and buying something of quality instead of aiming to scratch that itch straight away. 

20. Be food-waste savvy
If you’ve got a pet, there’s a fair chance that they can eat a load of your food waste For instance, did you know that dogs can eat broccoli, carrots, parsley and sweet potato? Rabbits and other small pets can eat most things to – and cats, well cats can eat bananas, blueberries, and even melon. So, think about your peelings and waste before you turf them into your food waste bin – can your four-legged friend save them? (Check with professionals before you feed your pet anything new).