10 ways to be more sustainable in 2025

How can you look out for the planet this year? 

From reducing waste to caring for wildlife, read on for 10 smart ways to be more sustainable in 2025! 

1. Reducing what you use

Reduce, reuse and recycle. We’re getting pretty good at putting the right colour bin out on the right week. And there are countless TikToks about reusing and repurposing, from the shiny inside of a tomato puree tube to old wood pallets. But the first of the motto is often ignored, reduce.

Before you buy anything in 2025, try asking yourself, do I really need this? The answer will often be yes. But being mindful about what we buy and use is a great habit to get into.

2. Cut out pesticides

Our pollinator population is falling dramatically. One of the best things you can do to help is cut out pesticides like weed killer and bug spray, which spell disaster for the insects so vital to our ecosystems. Even birds die from ingesting pesticides, so clear them out and give wildlife a chance. 

3. Let your lawn grow long 

Not only is a long lawn a rich habitat for bees, bugs and crucial insects, but it also makes for a more climate-resilient garden.  

Long grass resists browning in summer heat and it’s better at soaking up floods. With higher temperatures and more unreliable weather, long lawns are a wise choice. 

And they can look splendid in summer! 

4. Create a weekly food plan

The average UK household spends £470 a year on food that ends up in the bin. 

Combat food waste by making a weekly meal plan before you shop. You won’t overbuy and if you keep to it, you won’t find green potatoes or mouldy cheese hidden at the back of the fridge! 

5. Stop food waste at the shops

Shops produce far too much food just to make sure they meet demand, which means unbought food gets thrown away. And it’s not just not just big supermarket chains, your local bakery is probably guilty of it too!

Try scouring the bigger shops just before closing time, looking for that “reduced price” sticker.  

Or you can get someone else to do it for you, by downloading the free Too Good To Go app. The app offers surprise bags of surplus shop food, which cost 1/3 of the normal price! 

You can’t predict what will be in these bags, but the shops they come from will give you a hint. A local bakery or a Greggs is likely to give sandwiches or sweet treats, which you can factor into your lunch plans or freeze for another time. 

6. Pick one item and shop Fairtrade

Coffee farmers are especially at risk from the climate crisis

Fairtrade makes sure all the people involved in making the product are paid fairly. But because of the climate crisis, Fairtrade has become even more important.  

Floods, droughts, storms, all these events make it harder than ever for farmers to produce food. Shocking fact – an estimated 50% of all land used for growing coffee may be unusable by 2050!! 

Fairtrade is helping farmers adapt to climate change, so they can grow thriving crops and nurture the land. 

This year, pick one item and commit to only buying Fairtrade. It can be your morning coffee or your afternoon pick-me-up chocolate bar, or something you had no idea could be Fairtrade – like honey, spices, flowers or fruit juice! 

7. Switch soaps

Swap liquid soap for an old-fashioned bar to save on water, plastic, carbon and energy! They’re also usually cheaper – a great money-saving tactic. 

8. Hit the charity shops

Say no to fast fashion by going to charity shops! 

Shopping there will stop perfectly good clothes going to landfill and support many excellent causes. Plus, plenty of designer brands end up in charity shops, sold at a fraction of the original price! 

Want to shop online? Charities like Oxfam now offer second hand items online. While Vinted, Depop and Ebay allow you to shop other people’s closets via their apps.

9. Plant trees and flowers at home 

Bring life to your garden with trees and flowers! And if you don’t have a garden, why not try a window box or a hanging basket? 

Trees and flowers are a wonderful shelter for wildlife and vital for pollinators. They help capture pollutants, clean the air and enrich the soil, bringing balance to the local ecosystem. 

They even improve your mood, with a splash of colour and natural scents that lift your spirits! 

10. Plant trees where they’re most desperately needed! 

Finally, help capture carbon, clean the air and provide food, shelter and shade by planting 3 trees every month. Sign up to give monthly with ITF and you’ll be planting trees in places where they’re most needed, fighting drought, combatting floods and growing food.

Just £2 can plant 1 tree that provides food and income for today and restores nature and protects our planet for tomorrow. How many trees could you plant in 2025?

Donate today

Restore our forests and grow a greener future!