Captured by the view of the mountains in the morning and the sound of the mockingbird, I couldn’t help but to wonder about that Indian Prophecy: “Only when the last tree has been cut down, the last fish been caught, and the last stream poisoned, will we realize we cannot eat money”. Based on an EPA report by 2016, the average American was tossing over 4.4 pounds of trash every day (data hasn’t been updated to 2018). Just imagine that pattern for the last few years, buying and tossing. Sure! we can agree that money is a good tool, but can we see ourselves eating a big bowl of money… Doesn’t sound much appealing, so here are 5 ways to reduce waste and help Planet Earth.
Here’s the thing with plastic bottles, not every type of plastic can be recycle. Make it easier. Try switching to a reusable bottle; whether it is stainless steel or glass, these types provide functionality and sustainability.
A plastic bag can take from 10 to 1000 years to decompose. Most are disposed of in landfills and others can end in the ocean affecting the lives of marine animals. Most plastic bags can’t biodegrade because in landfills they get the exposure to light which breaks the bag into small pieces, which leads to the formation of toxic particles. A reusable cotton bag has a lifespan more than 700 disposal plastic bags, plus they are custom made.
Yes, we can be picky about the quality of our products and smart when combining them for “all-out” nourishment. Making our own products can give us the freedom of choosing and manage what goes into our bodies. There’s tons of recipes on how to make butter, cream, deodorant, and toothpaste. I’ve been using DIY toothpaste for over a year now; it feels wonderful, leaving the mouth fresh, the teeth white, and most importantly, I can still smile!
Ok, ladies! Did you know they’ve been around since late 1930s, but it wasn’t until 1987 that this product was manufactured in U.S. - a reusable menstrual cup can cost from $30 to $40 and can last over 10 years. This means less waste into landfills, less money over time, and it reduces the risk of Toxic Shock syndrome. Just remember to change it and clean it afterwards!
Last but not least, buying fruits and veggies from local market doesn’t only make meals fresher, it also helps supports small business owner and local economy. Other benefits include products that are organic, nutritional, seasonal, and provenance, meaning that we can learn from where the product came as well as the farmer’s growing practice and procedures.
Remember everyone deserves to have access to basic natural resources. What we do today might be the definition of tomorrow. We can act in many ways to help preserve the world we live in for the present and future generations, but it will depend on our effort and choices. Let's make the effort! And share with us how you are making an effort to preserve the Planet.