Let’s talk about something super important: Environmental Sustainability. I am aware that to some people, this is a touchy subject. Some of you reading this probably already know a lot about sustainability. Some of you might know a little, and maybe you recycle here and there, but you’re ready to know more and DO more to help our environment. Then there are some of you who know you don’t do enough, and it might make you feel guilty. This topic might scare you a little bit, because you know something needs to be done here, but you just don’t know where to start.
I’m going to be completely honest with you guys, I know that there are more things that my family and I could be doing to live a more sustainable life. I don’t do everything on this list, but I am working to be better. I know that it’s easy to think “Can I really make a difference all by myself?” But think about if every person on the planet had that attitude. Truth is, as much as we can harp on this topic to our peers, we can really only control our own environmental footprint. Still, if everyone tried to be even a little bit better, we could make a big difference.
The common rule of thumb that I’ve continued to come across when researching this topic is to refuse, reduce, and reuse. I’ll go into detail on how you can effectively do each of these below.
Refuse
The first step in figuring out how you can produce less waste if figuring out different things you can cut out of your day to life. Lauren Singer, a 23 year old living in New York, has produced LESS THAN a mason jar of waste in the past 2 YEARS. Okay, okay, I know that is extremely ambitious (and we are nowhere near that in my household), but hey, it can be done. She says that when she decided to commit to a zero waste life, she started out by actually going and looking in her trash can to see where she was producing the most waste.
While buying biodegradable items is a great start, they often end up in the same landfills as the other non-biodegradable products, and they end up getting covered. When they get covered with the other products, oxygen cannot properly reach them to allow them natural degradation. This is why it’s better to just cut out certain products all together, if possible. Below is a list of products that you can easily say no to.
- Free stuff/swag
I know that for some of you, it might be hard to refuse a cool free notepad or a water bottle being passed out by your local church missionaries on a hot day, but that stuff adds up. Let’s be real, a bunch of that stuff probably ends up in your trash within a week anyway.
2. Straws
Many of you probably already do this. This is SUCH an easy thing to cut out.
3. Produce bags at the grocery store
You really don’t NEED these, and you probably already wash your produce regardless. Just give them an extra 20 seconds under water.
4. Plastic cutlery & napkins
When ordering take out, don’t take the plasticware. Instead, just use the utensils that you have at home.
5. Plastic bags at a store
If you are just buying an item or two, say no when they ask if you want them to bag it.
6. Greenwashing
This is when a company says that they are eco-friendly, but they spend more resources making sure you know it than actually implementing it into their practices – avoid it.
https://www.goingzerowaste.com/blog/how-to-tell-if-youre-being-greenwashed
Reduce
While refusing is the best way to limit waste, there are some things that we just cannot live without. What we can do is reduce the amount of waste we are used to producing. You’ll see what I mean below.
1. Do less laundry
This is one that I know I need to work on. I’m a common offender of throwing something in the hamper even if I’ve only worn it for 3 hours. Some things just don’t need to be washed after wearing them for a short amount of time. I also try to use only 1 (maybe 2) towels during the whole week.
2. Buy what you can in bulk
If you buy coffee, toilet paper, etc. in bulk, that means less packaging being thrown away.
3. Bamboo toothbrush
I know you’re supposed to use a new toothbrush every few months, so you can’t really avoid going through them. These break down easier, though.
4. Grow your own produce in the summer
If you grow your own, there’s obviously no packaging, little stickers, etc.
5. Drying rack
Dry your clothes on a drying rack instead of in the dryer. It’s better for your clothes anyway.
6. Cardboard tampons
Using them is better than using plastic ones.
Reuse
This is probably the easiest way to limit your waste, as long as you have the proper materials. The great thing about buying these things is that once you get them, you don’t have to repurchase them, because they’re reusable.
- Produce bags
If you just HAVE to have produce bags, bring your own reusable ones!
2. Water bottles/coffee mugs
Carry your own refillable water bottle and bring your own mug to coffee shops.
3. Wool dryer balls
Instead of dryer sheets, just add a few drops of essential oils on your wool dryer ball. Added bonus: these help your laundry dry faster.
4. Silicone baking mats
These replace aluminum foil on making sheets. You just wash them off and you’re good to go.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00MM80ZLW/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
5. Reusable ziplock bags
Another great way to limit waste in the kitchen (aka the place where I produce the most waste).
6. Bring your own grocery bags
I’m sure many of you already do this. Just keep them in your trunk so you don’t forget them. If you happen to buy more groceries than you have room for in your bags, ask for paper instead of plastic.
7. Travel size bottles
Instead of buying little travel size bottles for your shampoo/conditioner, buy some refillable bottles that you can use over and over again.
8. Reusable keurig pods
While the compostable ones are good, the reusable ones are better (less waste).
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MTR59LM/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
9. Washable make up remover cloths
Think about how many make up wipes or cotton pads you throw away. Think about it.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07CNBG376/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1
10. Sustainable clothing
Resell/donate your clothes when you’re done with them. Buy on postmark and ebay. I also personally love going to Clothes Mentor or other local consignment shops. In order to grow enough cotton for 1 t-shirt, you need 713 gallons of water. If you do buy something new, shop from these sites:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/clothing/g27154605/sustainable-fashion-clothing/
11. Baby food storage
You guys know I made all of Hollings’ baby food myself. I would just put them in an ice cube tray, but they also sell reusable baby food pouches. This is so much better than just throwing away the little baby food packaging from store bought food.
These lists are just a small start, but think about what a difference we can make by coming together and deciding to be better! Below is a list of links where I got much of this information. Special thanks to Savannah Grant for enlightening me on this important topic.
http://nymag.com/intelligencer/2014/12/all-my-trash-fits-in-a-single-mason-jar.html
https://www.ecoproducts.com/images/pdfs/talking_points/Biodegradation.pdf
