With almost 30 ‘‘planet-friendly’’ stalls booked for this weekend’s Sustainability Festival, and workshops on Saturday ranging from cheese making to sustainable building, organisers share their top tips for planet-friendly living.
Eco Centre activator Alice Brice said her advice would be to change one thing at a time — from using a BYO cup, learning how to keep a worm farm, or using beeswax wraps for your lunch.
‘‘Small changes often make a difference.’’
One of the small changes she had implemented into her daily life was cycling to work.
While she could not cycle to both of her workplaces, one was close enough to allow her to cycle back before her children needed to be picked up. ‘‘Ironically, I started on the first day of winter.’’ She loved spending that time outside after working inside all day. ‘‘It takes me about 15 minutes to [get to] work and 20 minutes [to get] home.’’ Timaru District Council climate change adviser Rhys Taylor said his top tip was ‘‘the power of shopping lists’’.
He tried to buy groceries once a week.
‘‘And buy it all.’’
Because he aimed for one big shop rather than multiple small ones, he would not suggest giving up vehicles any time soon, as it meant you would be carrying huge weights down the street.
However, exercise was important.
‘‘As any dog walker would tell you, walking keeps you healthy.’’
He had panniers for his bicycle, but was a ‘‘fairweather cyclist’’ as rain put him off.
He was also a fan of carpooling for regular trips to work.
