What actions could you (in theory) undertake that would improve the 'sustainability' of your lifestyle? What might be preventing you from doing these?

In response to sustainable living, I would like to consider myself as leading quite a sustainable lifestyle within my capabilities and in comparison to a lot of people my age. However, there is always room for improvement.

Firstly, looking at the Agenda 21 of the Rio Declaration on Environmental Development 1992, 37 issues were raised, one being Waste Recycling which could be tackled at national, local and individual levels. I believe, this is one way I could easily improve the sustainability of my lifestyle especially as where I live (in MK) a brand new major recycling scheme has gone underway very recently and we have been delivered a little caddy and a green wheely bin!!! The recycling facilities in MK are really good so there should be no excuse for me not to do all I can at home. In addition, I am going to try and get my family on board - easier said then done though! Here is a link to my local community website about all I can do to support the recycling schemes in MK http://www.milton-keynes.gov.uk/recycling/home.asp. The only thing that I can think of that would stop me from participating fully in the scheme is the lack of time. It takes time to wash all the plastic, empty the caddy, remember what is suppose to go where and when it is suppose to go out for collection - however this is laziness and I do not consider myself lazy!

I already use public transport a lot as I do not have a car nor can I drive, so this is more sustainable. I lift share to uni when I can and all other times I catch the train and buses. Unfortunately, public transport is unreliable and always has been, this is why lots of people do not choose it over the car, despite it often being cheaper. Again it is also inconvient especially in winter. If I could drive, then I would definately choose a car over public transport, despite it being the less sustainable option.

To improve the sustainability of my lifefstyle I could evaluate what, where and when I buy. I found an excellent website by Channel 4 - http://www.channel4learning.com/sites/planet/takfooknwsus.html
It tells me how to live a sustainable lifestyle and has recommended some very good tips, including:
ALWAYS support local shops.
ALWAYS share a shopping trip with a friend or neighbour.
ALWAYS read the labels on the food you buy and find out where the ingredients come from.
ALWAYS buy a local alternative, if you can.
ALWAYS buy only what you know you will eat and not too much.
ALWAYS buy food that tastes good rather than looks good
These ideas are all well and good, but again it is usually a more expensive, time consuming and inconvienent solution. For example local shops charge far more than TESCO and when you go to TESCO it is all under one roof easier than going to a bakery, then a delicatessen, then the butchers and a seperate fruit and veg store, takes far more time and effort. Time is something a lot of people in this day in age simply can't afford to waste. I would like to buy more fair trade products as this is something I feel very strongly and passionately about, however, it is more expensive again and not always available. I have decided though not to be so greedy in buying, for example at Christmas. This is a way lots of people can cut back, essentially this year there is no present that I need, but people often feel obliged to buy gifts - this is seen as greedy in my opinion! It is different if you need something but to accept lots of gifts for the sake of it is wasteful especially when you don't use half of them and they stay in the packaging for half a year. I could recycle christmas presents this year! That is sustainable!

I shall add some more sustainable living ideas on a new post later on in the week, but I hope I have done this correctly? I am sure Greg you can let me know as I haven't quite got my head around this blogging idea.