Living a more sustainable lifestyle

What can you do in your day-to-day lives away from the classroom to have some kind of impact on climate change? 

The good news is that the decisions we make on things like our finances, our fashion and our food can all lead to positive changes.

A bank with strong ethics 

You might use your savings account as a place to stash your cash, or your home loan as a tool to buy your own home, but have you ever considered what your bank is doing with your money?

A recent report by the Responsible Investment Association Australasia, shows 92% of Australians “expect their superannuation or other investments to be invested responsibly and ethically.”

Strong ethics and values are what define teachers and the education sector. At Teachers Mutual Bank, we also want to lead by example to use money for good and make a positive impact on the planet.

We have zero direct investment in large-scale greenhouse polluting activity or companies¹. Plus, all new saving and home-loan products are certified responsible investments.

Put simply, it means your money, and the money we lend you, will never be used for industries that pollute the planet.

We also take action with our own carbon footprint.

To see how your bank stacks up when it comes to the ethical use of your money, visit Market Forces or Responsible Returns. Aside from your bank, don’t forget other areas of your finances such as how your superannuation provider invests your money.

Reduce food waste and buy local

How we eat is another important factor influencing our own carbon footprint. Ethical food consumption is easier than you might think, by simply looking ahead and meal planning.

Each week plan ahead to ensure you’re using all items in your fridge and pantry before the use by date. Not only will you help reduce your family’s food wastage, but you’ll save on your weekly grocery bill too.

Choose suppliers that provide local, organic and chemical-free food and food that has not been transported long distances.

Avoid plastic packaging and plastic shopping bags whenever you can. Bring your own reusable bags and shop at farmers’ markets. Return soft plastics to major supermarkets for recycling. 

Fashion shouldn’t cost us the earth

Fast fashion is convenient and cheap yet never quite satisfies our insatiable desire to keep up with ever changing fashion trends.

If you love a good shopping trip, you can still shop up a storm without guilt by going for second-hand pieces to supplement occasional fast fashion items. 

Whether it’s shopping at your local charity shop, attending a clothes swap meet, passing on children’s clothes to friends or buying quality used clothes from Gumtree, by going down the second-hand clothing route, you are being a sustainable fashion consumer. 

For more information on ethical fashion, have a read of the Ethical Fashion Guide.

Why Join Us?

At Teachers Mutual Bank, we’re committed to providing a better banking experience that’s convenient to you. Find out if you can join us today, it only takes a few minutes!