Diving into a new hobby can be an exciting time. Still, our thirst for knowledge about our newfound pastime can lead to us buying every single book, accessory, or piece of equipment relating to our new entertainment method, which can be wasteful monetarily. From woodworking and baking to pottery and dancing, we ultimately want a hobby that provides us with endless entertainment yet doesn’t cost the earth (literally!).
Especially in our more eco-driven generation, most people are knowledgeable about the effects of climate change and, due to this, are more likely to make purchases based on environmental values and principles, whether for home, work, or recreational activities like hobbies.
However, just because you’re trying to apply eco-principles to your hobby doesn’t mean you have to sacrifice your enjoyment! From reducing waste by containing your hobby in specific rooms or garden workshops to getting involved with local groups dedicated to your chosen pursuit, there are various ways to make your hobby eco-friendlier. To make the switch more manageable, we list some of the best ways to be creative (yet careful!) down below.
4 Ways to Make Your Daily Hobbies More Eco-Friendly
1. Reduce The Amount Of Waste You Create (Or Reuse It!)
One of the main issues with creative hobbies, such as woodworking, pottery, and other DIY-related pastimes, is the waste they create. Fortunately, there are several ways to manage the waste you make, from turning scraps into additional projects to donating your waste materials to others who can turn them into something useful.
One of the best ways to ensure that your supplies and equipment are well-spent is by dedicating a specific area to your craft so that all your materials, equipment, and waste matter are collected in one place instead of multiple. Whether you turn the spare room in your house into a craft room, convert the garage into a workspace, or install a workshop in your garden.
Find inspiration for your workspace by checking out these timber workshops by Leisure Buildings, which can be installed in your garden to keep waste generation to a minimum and keep your main living area tidy! From garden workshops to potting sheds, their website has leisure buildings benefitting any hobby; consider contacting a team member today to find out more.
2. Involve Yourself With Likeminded Individuals
No matter which hobby you choose, community groups will always be dedicated to it, which is beneficial for social and sustainable reasons. Surrounding yourself with like-minded individuals is helpful, as you can pick up new skills and knowledge relating to your hobby from them and share resources between you.
Whether you take up woodworking or filmmaking, to get started, you’ll need to purchase various bits of equipment. From craft materials for DIY-based hobbies to pieces of tech for photography, accumulating all the necessary bits can soon burn a hole in your wallet.
But if you’re friends with a group of people who share your interest, you can borrow tools or equipment from someone who already owns it rather than purchase it brand-new, saving you money and the excessive production of items.
So, before adding something to your shopping basket, stop and ask yourself if you can borrow it from someone else. Even if you only use it a couple of times, it saves you from spending unnecessary money and creating excess waste, which is much more beneficial for the environment (and your wallet!).
3. Start Eco-Friendly Hobbies
One of the best ways to apply eco-principles to your hobbies is by developing hobbies that are already compatible with an eco-friendly lifestyle. Since only some hobbies will be able to be turned as eco-conscious as others, you should consider a pastime that creates a balance between fun and eco-friendliness.
Fortunately, hundreds of hobbies allow you to give back to the environment while having fun, creating memories, and making new friends, from starting an organic garden where you can grow your own fresh produce, UK beach clean-up projects, making jewellery from waste or used materials, becoming a beekeeper, joining environmental activist groups and much more.
Not only are eco-conscious hobbies beneficial for providing you with a source of entertainment, but they’re also an excellent way to share experiences with and create memories with like-minded individuals. Plus, very few hobbies give you a sense of accomplishment while doing them, which one of the above will do.
4. Focus On Hobbies That Don’t Require Materials, Equipment, Etc.
Another way to make your hobby more sustainable is by focusing on ones that don’t require you to acquire things to participate in them. Instead, focus on ones that can be developed through learning, like history, meditation, language learning, and much more.
Thanks to the internet and public libraries, we no longer need to purchase books to develop our passion for a subject. Alternatively, consider joining in-person groups or communities, which will allow you to get the social benefit of your new hobby.
