Describe something you do to help protect the environment

One thing I do to help the environment is to reduce the amount of plastic I use. It started about three years ago, when I watched a documentary about plastic pollution in the oceans. There were scenes of turtles and birds tangled up in bags, and I came away determined to change my habits.

The first step was to stop buying single-use bags. I now keep a couple of reusable cloth bags in my backpack, and I take them whenever I go shopping. I also carry my own water bottle and a travel mug for coffee, so I rarely buy anything in disposable containers. At home, I sort the rubbish into paper, glass, plastic and general waste, and I take the recyclables to a collection point near my building every week. Recently I've also begun buying vegetables from a local market where you don't have to use plastic packaging. I do all this every day, so it's become a normal part of my routine.

As for how effective it is, I'd be honest and say that on its own it's a drop in the ocean. Governments and large companies have far more influence than individuals. However, I do think small actions matter in two ways. They reduce my own carbon footprint, and, more importantly, they raise awareness among people around me. My flatmates and some of my colleagues have started doing the same, and when enough people change their habits, shops and producers begin to respond. So although my impact is modest, I believe it is worthwhile.