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Kind things to do for the planet

Narrow and permanent beats broad and effortful. Every one of these is a single change that survives being forgotten about, which is the only kind that lasts past the first month.

8 ideas

• Take one regular journey off the car

  Not driving less in general. One specific trip you make every week, done another way, permanently.

  Half an hourFreeThe planet

• Ask whether it can be repaired, before you buy it

  One question at the point of purchase decides the next ten years of that object.

  5 minutesFreeThe planet

• Refill the one thing you keep rebuying

  Pick a single household item and stop buying new packaging for it. One item, permanently, beats a good fortnight.

  Half an hourUnder $10The planet

• Pick up the litter you did not drop

  Two pieces on the way home, every time. Not a campaign — a habit that takes eleven seconds.

  5 minutesFreeThe planet

• Find out what your council actually recycles

  Ten minutes on their website. Most people are wrong about at least three things, in both directions.

  5 minutesFreeThe planet

• Mend it once before you replace it

  One repair attempt, on one thing, before it goes. Most failures are a seam, a fuse or a seal.

  Half an hourUnder $10The planet

• Give it away while it still works

  Not when you have finished with it and it is nearly dead. Now, while somebody would actually want it.

  Half an hourFreeThe planet

• Plant the tree you will not sit under

  Whatever you plant now shades somebody who has not been born yet. That is the whole appeal.

  An afternoonUnder $10The planet