Holloway Express - Issue One

Go green on a budget

We have now realised that a plastic life is not all it was cracked up to be. With a desperate call to save the planet, humanity only has a few years to fix its relationship with Mother Nature before an irreversible break up.

Many people believe that going green is pricey. Some of the methods can be quite expensive but ancient Chinese philosopher and writer Laozi once said: ‘The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step’.

Money should not be an obstacle in taking care of our home. A few affordable steps to save the planet include:

• Take your reusable cloth bags and heading to the local farmers’ market every Sunday on Chapel Market. You can find everything your hangry body needs in this sprawling food Mecca, from vegetables to raw milk.

Market products are often cheaper than supermarket ones, and if you’re worried about plastic packaging this could be the move for you. You’ll also re- duce pollution levels if your market is only a walking distance from your home.

• Use chemical-free cleaning products. These are making a comeback, including homemade all surface purpose, only made out with vinegar, baking soda and water.

When your current home products are all used up, check out morningchore.com, which provides 50 recipes for all your housekeeping needs, all 100% healthy, cheap and eco-friendly.

• Go vintage and second hand. Thrift shopping has become a thing after rapper Macklemore shouted out to the world about it in his song Thrift Shop. So pop some tags and reuse those vintage goodies. Vintage clothing kilo sales are in abundance in the Holloway area, including the Islington Assembly Hall Kilo sale on every month. You could put your hands on a fine piece of clothing for less than £18 a kilo.

• Let’s talk about containers and paper towels. Commit to reusable containers. Branches such as Starbucks gives you discounted coffee if you bring your own cup! It’s an amazing way to save money and the environ- ment all in one. Refill your water bottle at school or bring your food box for leftover food when you eat out with friends. Replace paper towel with dishtowels and cloth napkins. If they get very dirty, wash them with one of the natural home-made products you learnt how to make.

• Switch your bills and bank statement to paperless. And if you are an Amazon addict, try to purchase what you need in one order. Nature will be happier and you will not have to deal with hundreds of plastic boxes.