Aiming for a zero‑waste lifestyle sounds simple in theory — but in reality, it’s incredibly challenging. Even with the best intentions, I still struggle to source everything I need without plastic, and some “eco‑friendly” items arrive after travelling halfway around the world. Add disability, health limitations, and a reduced income (hello, 2020), and the journey becomes even more complicated.
Despite all this, I’m committed to reducing my carbon footprint wherever I realistically can. I’m not perfect — none of us are — but I believe small, consistent steps matter.
Here’s what I’ve been doing over the past few years to reduce my impact.
🌬️ Switching to Green Energy
I switched to the Super Green Tariff with Octopus Energy, which provides:
- 100% renewable electricity
- full carbon offsets for gas
This means the energy I use at home is effectively carbon neutral. The switch took minutes, the customer service has been excellent, and I even saved money — a pleasant surprise.
Octopus Energy – A rapidly growing company recognized for its innovative solutions and customer-friendly approach.
But here’s the important part: Take small steps. If the greenest tariff isn’t affordable right now, choose the best option you can. Every improvement counts.
Other green energy providers in the UK include: Ecotricity , Good Energy, OVO Energy and So Energy,
đź’» Choosing Green Website Hosting
I run several websites and blogs, so hosting is a big part of my digital footprint. After researching green hosting companies, I chose Krystal Hosting, a UK provider powered by 100% renewable energy.
Krystal Hosting are the best overall UK green host (2026). Their datacentres also run on renewables and have an impressive PUE rating of 1.12. They also support reforestation through Trees for Life and Ecologi, and even encourage staff to switch to renewable energy at home.
If you use the referral code ZEROWASTELLAMA, you’ll receive £20 credit at checkout.
Other green hosting options in the UK include Eco Web Hosting, Green Hosting, Blackbox Hosting, Solve, Eco Hosting and IONOS.
🌱 My Thoughts on Carbon Offsetting
Carbon offsetting is a complicated topic. On one hand, it funds tree planting, renewable energy projects, and community initiatives. On the other, it can be used as a convenient “easy way out” — a way for companies to continue polluting while claiming to be carbon neutral.
A newly planted tree can take up to 20 years to absorb the amount of CO₂ many offsetting calculators assign to a single year of emissions. So while offsetting can help, it shouldn’t replace reducing our own footprint.
That said, if we reduce what we can AND support offsetting projects, we’re still moving in the right direction.
🌳 How I Offset My Own Emissions
I’m not in a position to live off‑grid, grow all my own food, or plant 100 trees a day (though I’d love to!). So I researched several offsetting organisations and asked questions based on my personal circumstances.
I also used multiple carbon footprint calculators to estimate my emissions — including things I hadn’t considered before, like water usage and the carbon cost of everyday purchases.
I eventually chose Carbon Neutral Britain™, mainly because they took the time to discuss my situation in detail and offered flexible packages for both individuals and businesses.
Their options include:
- Planting 20 trees per month (240 trees per year — roughly an acre of Amazon rainforest)
- Offsetting 1.25 tonnes of CO₂e per month, equivalent to the average UK citizen’s monthly emissions
For the cost of a coffee and cake, you can offset more carbon than you produce — or at least begin to close the gap.
Other organisations worth exploring include Ecologi, Earthly, Carbon Footprint, The Woodland Trust, Trees for Life, and Forest Carbon.
đź’š The Honest Truth
Even without a car, without flying, and without buying plastic‑wrapped products, I still leave a footprint. We all do. I dream of living in a tiny eco‑house in the middle of nowhere, growing my own food and generating my own power… but that’s not my reality right now.
What I can do is:
- make thoughtful choices
- reduce where possible
- support renewable energy
- choose sustainable hosting
- offset what I can
- keep learning and improving
