University of Wisconsin–Madison

England: Emily (Emmie) Corbin (Sustainability in London)

Sustainability in London

Five people pose and take a selfie in a circular mirror hung underneath a sign that says "Piccadilly".
Kinzie, Lily, Andrea, Emmalyn, and I take a quick picture together in the mirror before boarding the Piccadilly Tube line.

One of my favorite things about London is its commitment to being environmentally conscious. The sustainable practice that impacts my life the most is London’s wide range of transportation options. For example, the Tube allows me to get anywhere I want in the city with ease and speed. Rentable bicycles also let people move through the city quickly while enjoying fresh air and exercise. Finally, on a simplistic level, many London Boroughs such as Kensington are very walkable. London’s infrastructure is designed to support these sustainable transportation options. By choosing public transport, biking, or walking over cars, Londoners reduce both carbon emissions and traffic congestion that result from driving.

During my time in London, I will get to see how the UK’s recent single-use plastic ban will make London more sustainable. As of 1 October, the UK banned single-use plastic plates, trays, bowls, cutlery, balloon sticks, and certain types of plastic cups. I believe the ban will be incredibly beneficial to the environment. England uses 2.7 billion units of single-use cutlery and 721 million single-use plates yearly. However, only 10% of these items are recycled. Plastic pollution inflicts grave damage to our rivers, land, and oceans since it takes hundreds of years to break down. Reducing the amount of plastic waste we generate is one of the best solutions to these issues. Londoners are now adapting to this new legislation by using products made from eco-friendly materials that are safer to dispose of– and ideally, also making some switches to fully reusable products.

When I return to my home in the U.S., I will miss London’s sustainable transportation options—especially the Tube! I will try my best to walk and bike in order to minimize my driving. Furthermore, I will continue to be mindful of my consumption patterns and reduce my single-use plastic waste. Overall, living in London has helped me understand and appreciate the ways in which sustainable practices can be applied to my everyday life.

Emmie leans on a white metal railing overlooking a white mansion with a black roof.

Emmie Corbin    

Major: Anthropology and Sociology

Hometown: Lannon, Wisconsin