Waste Not, Want Not
Use less! The Goodwill or Salvation Army are treasure troves, Gently worn pieces have a beautiful patina which makes them personal and special. They're also half the price and help to save the environment. Invest in glass or ceramic dishes. Plastic, when heated up, leaks toxins into foods and liquids, so if at all possible, leave it out. Thrift stores have shelves of old glass jars. A simple scrub, and they’re ready to be refilled. Old toothbrushes are perfect for cleaning, especially in between tiles in the bathroom.
Recycle
Recycling reduces what goes to landfill, but it's not a long-term solution. The unfortunate truth: recycling facilities are very specific about what they accept. Only 8% of plastics are recycled in the U.S., so the best solution is to eliminate plastics, and thereby the need to recycle. Glass and metal are indefinitely recyclable, so they can be used repeatedly without a loss of quality. Plastic can be recycled once before it breaks apart.
Buy Vintage
Shopping for new clothing creates an automatic consumer demand: another piece of clothing quickly replaces the one you just bought. Support sustainable and ethical businesses that focus on the environment. Vintage clothes are often made with more quality fabrics, stitched well, so they last longer, and cheaper than new clothing. You’ll also have an individual look that can’t be duplicated.
Hang Dry Your Laundry
Go Plant-based
Shop in Bulk
Ever looked at how much plastic packaging is in your recycle bin? Buying in bulk drastically cuts down on food packaging. Packaging accounts for 8% of the total cost of food. Bulk shopping cuts down on all of the wasteful packaging, without worrying whether your packaging is recyclable, or what landfill it's going to. Use Mason jars, reusable pouches, cloth bags, any used containers for conscious storage and shopping.Compost
72 billion pounds of food is wasted each year in the U.S. alone. When food goes to landfill it's not given enough oxygen to decompose properly, which produces harmful greenhouse gases (methane) and contributes to global warming. Landfills are composed of sealed plastic enclosures in the ground. No soil means no proper decomposition. Composting keeps food waste out of landfills and circles back to feed the earth, where it belongs. Your plants and veggies will love you for it.
Plastic Free
Make a conscious choice sure to buy products packaged in glass or recyclable paper. There are so many options these days: food items, supplements, and makeup. Glass is 100% recyclable, indefinitely. Plastic is usually only be recycled once. Cardboard can be composted, and tin/metal is recycle, or reuse the container.
Take Shorter Showers
A typical 5 minute shower is close to 20 gallons of water. With global warming, fresh water is a natural resource to protect as we face the consequences of Global Warming and water pollution. Almost 45% of the global population currently doesn't have access to clean water or sanitation. Only 2% of the earth's water is fresh (not salted). A novel idea: wash your hair every two days, which will make your hair less dry, healthier, and saved on your water bill.