5 Things
We Can Do Every Day

Small Steps. Shared Change.

1. Buy less. Keep things longer.
2. Waste less food — and eat more plants.
3. Walk, cycle and take public transport when practical.
   
4. Reduce disposable packaging.
5. Show your power through your purchases and make your choices count.

PERSONAL

“I’m a fan of upcycling, looking out for products made from recycled materials, and being conscious of food waste. Why leave wonderful food behind when you can have something delicious the next day or take home a little memory of a great meal too? They’re small choices, but small choices made by many of us can add up to something much bigger.”

We can all make choices that help protect our planet. Small actions, multiplied by many of us, can make a difference.

Small Steps. Shared Change.

1. Buy less. Keep things longer.
   Before replacing something, repair, borrow, reuse or buy secondhand. It is more meaningful than simply trying to recycle everything afterward.
2. Waste less food — and eat more plants.
   Food and consumption are major parts of our environmental footprint. Plan meals, use leftovers, freeze extras and explore more plant-based foods.
   As a foodie, I enjoy a wonderful meat dish too. For me, it’s less about giving it up and more about thinking about where it comes from, appreciating the traditions and cultures around it, and making it more occasional and celebratory rather than an everyday choice.
3. Walk, cycle and take public transport when practical.
   Transportation is a significant source of greenhouse-gas emissions, but getting around also has to be practical. When there’s a choice, consider public transportation, walking or cycling. I’m lucky to live in Switzerland with its fantastic public transportation system and am a huge fan of SBB. Sometimes the flight is necessary. Sometimes there’s a wonderful train journey waiting instead.
4. Reduce disposable packaging.
   Carry a bottle, cup or bag; choose refillable/reusable products; avoid unnecessary packaging. But remember, businesses and governments also need to make better choices possible.
5. Show your power through your purchases and make your choices count.
   Get curious about the businesses you support:
   – What is their approach to sustainability?
   – Where do their products and materials come from?
   – Can things be repaired, reused or refilled?
   – What happens to the items afterwards?
   And support businesses and political measures that actually improve the system.
   

5 Systems We Need to Change

1. Make reuse and recycling universal and easy.
2. Make producers responsible for the whole life of a product.
3. Make sustainable choices the easy choices.
4. Change the food system.
5. Prepare communities for the climate that is already changing.

PERSONAL

“Without the right systems, we are less empowered to help the planet and each other.
You can’t recycle if there is no system to do it, or choose public transport if it isn’t available.
We can all make small changes, but we also need to work together for the bigger changes that make better choices possible.”

Systems need to change so we can all do more. And governments and businesses need to take responsibility. 

Personal responsibility works best when systems make responsible choices possible.

Know a solution that’s working? Please share it.

1. Make reuse and recycling universal and easy.
We can’t expect people to recycle or reuse something if the systems aren’t there. Collection, sorting and composting need to be convenient and consistent, with proper processing for electronics and specialist waste. Packaging also needs better solutions — reusable, recyclable or compostable options that actually work.

2. Make producers responsible for the whole life of a product.
Responsibility shouldn’t begin with the consumer once something becomes waste. Products should be designed to last and, where possible, be repaired, reused, refilled, returned or recycled. We need business models where companies and economies can prosper without depending on products becoming obsolete and creating more waste.

3. Make sustainable choices the easy choices.
Good infrastructure can make better behavior almost effortless. Reliable public transportation, safe cycling routes and walkable communities provide alternatives to driving, while energy-efficient buildings, renewable energy and better use and reuse of building materials can dramatically reduce waste and consumption.

4. Build a better food system.
Make it easier to buy locally and sustainably while giving smaller farmers and responsible producers better access to markets. Better portioning, redistribution of surplus food and food-waste systems can reduce waste, while the purchasing power of schools, hospitals, businesses and public institutions can drive change at scale.

5. Prepare communities for the climate that is already changing.
From the horrific recent disasters in Nepal and Blatten to thawing permafrost in the Alps and rising seas threatening island communities and cultures, such as those in the Maldives, we need better monitoring, early-warning systems, flood protection, resilient infrastructure and emergency planning.

SPICE JOURNEYS

Spice Journeys is taking small steps to support people and planet.

• Choosing paper for the cover of the novels made in part from food-industry by-products.
• Minimizing printing throughout writing and revisions.
• Using recycled paper and materials for shipping and packaging where possible.
• Reducing food waste and encouraging a more thoughtful approach to what we eat and leave behind.
• Working with conscious creators who also have sustainability in mind.
• Exploring more sustainable materials for future publications, products and experiences.

Creating this space to discover and share ideas that support people and planet.

Who should be here next?

Share your ideas & DM me on Instagram → Spice Journeys

Looking forward to seeing what comes next!