It’s the start of a new year and more people are trying to find the best ways to be environmentally conscious in 2023.
Switching to a vegan lifestyle is one of the best things you can do to help save our planet, but we know how challenging it can be when you don't know where to start. We’ve put together a list of eco-friendly tips that will help you stay vegan beyond Veganuary!
Follow eco-friendly vegan accounts on social media
It’s important to stay inspired, as we know how easy it is for motivation to slip with the pressures of everyday life. The best way to avoid this is to ensure your feed is filled with content from accounts you admire. There are plenty of vegan and eco-friendly influencers to follow on social media who can help you stay up to date on all things vegan – including lifestyle tips, new product launches and the best vegan recipes to try. We have lots of content to support you across all our socials – offering tips, inspiration and news on our latest campaigns.
Swap your favourite meals with vegan alternatives
A recent study showed that meat alternatives have a fifth to less than a tenth of the environmental impact of meat products1. We know the thought of missing out on your favourite meals can be one of the biggest hurdles when adopting a vegan diet. However, vegan substitutes today are so widely available that it’s simple to make plant-based switches to your meals and still have the dishes you love. For example, if you're a lover of cheese, you can swap it out for cashews and nutritional yeast – trust us, it’s a game changer! See for yourself by trying out this ultimate vegan mac and cheese recipe. We also have over 60,000 products registered with our Vegan Trademark, so you can rest assured that the products you buy are not derived from any animal ingredients.
It’s important to make sure that you’re hitting your nutritional targets, so make sure to incorporate nutrient-rich foods into your meals. Our VEG 1 vegan supplements provide an affordable and reliable source of vitamin B12, vitamin D, iodine and selenium and are 100% plastic-free! Be sure to also check out our Vegan Nutrition page, as it has all the information you need to ensure you maintain a healthy vegan diet. Check out our Vegan Eatwell Guide for some sustainability tips to help you balance your food groups properly in the most environmentally friendly way possible.
Eco-friendly food shopping
Planning your meals and food shop will allow you to make more eco-conscious decisions when purchasing products. When it comes to your shop, opt for loose fruit and vegetables or products with eco-friendly, biodegradable packaging and be sure to pop them in the freezer before they go off, as this massively helps to reduce food waste. When on your weekly shop, be sure to steer clear of plastic bags and carry a reusable one instead. This goes for water bottles and coffee cups too – swap these for reusable bottles and travel mugs to avoid plastic waste. If you can, reduce your environmental footprint by shopping at zero waste stores over supermarkets – their refill stations mean you can avoid single-use plastic by bringing along your own containers to pick up everything you need.
Purchase vegan friendly, no-waste products
One of the best ways to reduce your carbon footprint is through your purchasing habits. Instead of buying toiletries that come in plastic bottles, opt for products with more environmentally friendly packaging or without any at all. You can find a range of plastic-free skin and hair care products such as shampoo bars and facial soaps from brands like Lush, Faith in Nature and Friendly Soap – not only are these the eco-friendly options, but they are certified by The Vegan Society’s Vegan Trademark.
Grow your own food
There are many benefits to growing your own food, as it is a great way to consume less and live a truly eco-friendly lifestyle. If you are concerned about the lack of space you have for this, don’t fret, as it’s much easier to grow food indoors than you think. Start by growing things like cherry tomatoes, salad greens and herbs in flowerpots on your windowsill, and you’ll be surprised at the success you might have. Check out our top tips for veganic growing here!
Join The Vegan Society
Each year, we help more and more people to go vegan and stay vegan. By signing up as a member for as little as £2 a month you will support our work and in return we will keep you up to date with the latest news through our membership newsletter. You will also receive our quarterly magazine, The Vegan, and you’ll get access to over 100 discounts on different vegan food products and the support of our in-house dietitians. Everyone is welcome to join The Vegan Society as a member; we are not exclusive to committed vegans. So, whether you are vegan, vegetarian, following a plant-based diet or just curious, The Vegan Society is here to support you on your journey.
We hope this list helps encourage you in your journey to protect the planet and all its wonderful inhabitants. For more great tips and advice on veganism, follow our One Little Switch campaign on social media using the hashtag #OneLittleSwitch and download our FREE eBook today!
The views expressed by our bloggers are not necessarily the views of The Vegan Society.
