Related topics
A lot of us are looking for ways to use less plastic. But did you know that doing so could save more than the planet – it could also save you money? Here are five ways you can save money at the same time as helping the environment.
Buy a re-useable coffee cup
It’s not unusual for an office worker to have a couple of cups of coffee a day. Five days a week. 48 weeks a year. And if they’re buying them in disposable coffee cups, that’s 480 cups that get thrown away each year. A re-usable coffee cup can wipe out all that waste, and some cafés are offering discounts to enviro-friendly customers. So getting a stylish new cup can also save you money (particularly if you can find a café which gives a keep cup discount!).
A “one in, one out”wardrobe policy
Today’s fast fashion brands make it easy to look sharp for not much. But a lot of those clothes end up contributing to the millions of tonnes of textiles that are thrown away every year. One way to help avoid this is to adopt a one in, one out wardrobe policy. It’ll help you consider what you buy more carefully, and stop you wasting money on things you’ll only wear once. And the one out? You can sell it online or donate it.
Pick up a re-usable water bottle
It’s the same principal as the coffee cup, but with one difference – you’ll never pay for water again. In fact, the more you think about it, the more paying for a plastic bottle makes absolutely no sense. You’re creating plastic waste and paying hard-earned money to drink something that’s freely available almost everywhere.
Bring your lunch to work
Bringing in your leftovers for lunch is a tried and tested way to save money. And, let’s be honest, a home cooked meal usually tastes better than whatever’s on offer at the local food court or café. But with so many takeaway meals served in plastic containers, those thousands of meals served to hungry office workers take a toll on the environment. So bringing your lunch in makes sense for the planet as well.
Buy a safety razor
Disposable razors aren’t something we think about a lot. And why would we? They do a job. We get new ones. But the plastic they’re made of is a problem. Switching to a safety razor with metal blades is not only a great way to stop that cycle of plastic waste, it can also end up saving you cash. The razor itself can last years– and the blades do the same job. Some people think the results are even better, but we’ll leave that up to you to decide.
The information is current as at publication. Any advice on this website does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs and you should consider whether it is appropriate for you. Deposit products, savings products, credit card and home loan products are issued by ING, a business name of ING Bank (Australia) Limited ABN 24 000 893 292, AFSL and Australian Credit Licence 229823. Living Super, a sub-plan of OneSuper ABN 43 905 581 638 is issued by Diversa Trustees Limited ABN 49 006 421 638, AFSL 235153 RSE L0000635. The insurance cover offered by Living Super is provided by Metlife Insurance Limited ABN 75 004 274 882, AFSL 238096. ING Insurance is issued by Auto & General Insurance Company Limited (AGIC) ABN 42 111 586 353 AFSL Licence No 285571 as insurer. It is distributed by Auto & General Services Pty Ltd (AGS) ABN 61 003 617 909 AFSL 241411 and by ING as an Authorised Representative AR 1247634 of AGS. All applications for credit are subject to ING's credit approval criteria, and fees and charges apply. You should consider the relevant Product Disclosure Statement, Terms and Conditions, Fees and Limits Schedule, Financial Services Guide, Key Facts Sheet and Credit Guide available at ing.com.au when deciding whether to acquire, or to continue to hold, a product. Before interacting with us via our social media platforms, please take a minute to familiarise yourself with our Social Media User Terms https://www.ing.com.au/pdf/Social_Media_User_Terms.pdf.