Sara Cox: My Sustainable Life - ‘Sitting in your parked car with the engine ticking over should be punishable by law’

The British broadcaster tells Olivia Petter how sustainability influences her daily life

(Sara Cox)

The Independent’s My Sustainable Life is a Q&A series in which famous faces reveal their personal approach to the climate crisis

This week, for My Sustainable Life, we hear from British presenter and DJ Sara Cox, who is working with Co-op on a new soft-plastic recycling campaign that encourages shoppers to dispose of items such as crisp packets, bread bags and biscuit wrappers at their local Co-op store.

Previous guests on My Sustainable Life include singer Birdy and model Daisy Lowe.

A juggernaut in British broadcasting, Cox, 46, is best known for her radio presenting roles, having worked in the industry since 1999.

She has previously hosted BBC Radio 1’s breakfast show and is currently the host of BBC Radio 2’s Drivetime show that airs on weekdays.

Here, Cox explains why she wants to cultivate avocados in her garden, how sitting in your car with the engine on should be a punishable offence, and why Christmas is her least sustainable guilty habit.

The most sustainable decision I made in the past year was…

Cycling even more. I treated myself to a new bike in lockdown to add to my Brompton and now cycle most days to Radio 2. If I don’t cycle, I get the tube and occasionally will drive my little electric car, especially if it’s tipping it down.

I also take my soft plastics (anything that springs back when you scrunch it – crisp packets, biscuit wrappers, pet food sachets) to Co-op to be recycled in one of their bins. The dream is for my landfill bin to be near enough empty.

My least sustainable guilty habit is…

It’s only once a year but I think it’s hard to be super green at Christmas. There’s so much food, plastic, and packaging. I also used to love a real fire in winter but I just can’t anymore, the guilt spoils the pleasure.

If I ruled the world, I would make it more sustainable by…

Making all commercial buildings have sensor lights. I hate how lights seem to be forever burning in empty buildings. I’d also make sitting in your parked car with the engine ticking over while you faff with your phone punishable by law.

When I want to feel in touch with the natural world I…

Get on my horse Nelly and go for a hack for a couple of hours along gorgeous bridleways.

I literally feel in touch with nature as I try and fail to duck the overhanging greenery.

If I could invent one thing that would make my life more sustainable it would be…

Dog poo bags made of leaves that decompose when thrown in a bush. If I wasn’t so busy I’d crack on and invent them. Also, I’d cultivate an avocado that could be easily grown in my garden.

My sustainability hero is…

Terry Walton and his allotment in the Rhondda Valley. He has been growing his own food for fifty years. His allotment slot on Jeremy Vine is a Friday highlight.

The one thing everyone should watch or read about the climate crisis is…

The Game changers is all about veganism; I found it fascinating.

My favourite vegan or vegetarian restaurant is…

Mildreds in Soho is incredible. It’s a really friendly place with a great vibe and truly beautiful food packed with incredible flavours.

My one piece of advice to people trying to be more sustainable is…

Don’t contaminate your recyclables with soft plastics - councils don’t have the resources to separate it if you mess up and the whole lot might end up in landfill. Take your soft plastics to your local Co-op.

I recently worked with Co-op on a campaign raising awareness about their soft plastic units, which will be available in over 2,000 stores across the country by November - I think they’re a brilliant thing.

All you have to do is drop the soft plastics you have collected at home into your local store, and Co-op will make sure that they are recycled into new materials, here in the UK – it’s so simple and easy for everyone to make a difference.

Three sustainable brands everyone should know about

Balance Me Skincare: I love that it’s made with natural ingredients and comes packed with water-soluble foam chips made of cornstarch.

Cricklewood Coffee: I like supporting local independent businesses. This is ethically sourced and supports farmers and growers.

Sean’s Loaf: It’s ace. Freshly baked bread and pastries delivered to your door on a bicycle.

Sara Cox is a member of Co-op’s Behavior Change Board, on a mission to find out how everyone can build better recycling habits at home, live more sustainably, and do their bit for the environment.