5 EASY WAYS TO GO “ZERO WASTE”
Hi friends! There is a huge problem that lurks in the shadows all hours of the day that can catastrophically affect our lives. This problem has actually started to affect all of us, and that problem is Global Warming. Let’s speak objectively for a minute. Whether you believe global warming is real or not, the fact that will remain fact is that our trash or garbage output has grown dramatically over the years. Think about all the times you bought a drink served in a paper cup or plastic cup, or maybe printed the wrong document and threw it out, or the total amount of straws you’ve used this month. While these things seem so small, they are playing a big role in cluttering our beautiful planet with trash. The world around us, weather in particular, has noticeably shifted in the past few years.
There is no denying that we as human make mistakes, it’s just life. However, education about our surroundings can seriously influence us or empower us to make positive changes in our lives. “Zero waste” is a term that s refers to a person or being that creates no waste output. I know, kinda unrealistic… But what if I told you swapping out a one pound burger from your diet could save 2,500 gallons of water. Minor changes in our lifestyles can make a positive imprint on the world, and I am going to show you five easy ways to start you on the right track. Once you start a positive cycle, it’s hard to stop!
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Reusable Water Bottle
SO MANY PEOPLE have already begun their zero waste journey. Carrying a reusable water bottle will save thousands of plastic water bottles from piling up in our landfills or recycling plants. While the idea of recycling is a good thing, it’s not a flawless method. By eliminating plastic bottles altogether, we can drastically decrease our carbon footprint. These reusable water bottles are a power couple with Brita filters or any filtration system/pitcher. Also, plastic water bottles excrete chemicals into the water inside. When we go to drink our water, these chemicals are not detectable by taste. There is no conclusive evidence about the harm these chemicals can cause long-term, so it’s safer to stick to the alternative. Reusable water bottles are sold everywhere, and you can find some with really cute prints or designs. I’ve linked a few of my favorites as well as a Brita filter for your convenience!
Browse Reusable Bottles Here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01ACARNIO?aaxitk=BLfoXjcOxR9smjJayGfz5Q
2. Reusable Shopping Bags
Some states have initiated a 5 cent bag fee for each plastic bag you take from department stores or the grocery store. This was put into place to persuade communities into going green. What’s great about plastic bags anyway? They rip, tear, clutter up the house, and right now there are hundreds floating around our oceans suffocating marine life. Reusable bags are the way to go, and honestly, they are so much better. You can fit so much more into them, and they last longer. Just throw some in the trunk of your car, and always keep them there for when you need them in a pinch.
Browse Zero Waste Bags Here: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0083WNCA2/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=meghanhughes-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0083WNCA2&linkId=800900f2285dfe3d23ca2a4d44cbf54a
3. NO MORE PLASTIC STRAWS
Everyone is guilty of grabbing for a straw at Starbucks, to then break it as you’re taking it out of the paper, and having to throw that one away and get a new one. Plastic straws are playing a huge factor in our marine life. Turtles, in particular, suffer the most from straw clutter. Reports have shown turtles being impaled or eating them by mistake. It takes 200 YEARS for one single plastic straw to decompose, and there are 500 million straws used by Americans daily. By switching to reusable straws, not only will you always have a straw to use, but you will get the satisfaction of not contributing to the harm of turtles. Bonus, if you purchase a reusable utensil set, your plastic use will decrease by 50%.
Purchase Reusable straws Here: https://www.herbivoreclothing.com/simply-straws-bent-glass-straw-13565832.html
Purchase a Utensil Set Here: https://www.herbivoreclothing.com/to-go-ware-utensil-sets.html
4. Reusable Takeout Containers (Tiffins)
Tiffins are very popular container system in India to carry and store leftover food. Usually, it is a three-tiered stainless steel container tower that can hold food in each compartment. These are amazing, because most likely when you go out to eat, there are some kind of leftovers you’d like to take home with you. Ditch the styrofoam and the plastic, and bring a tiffin. They are super hygienic and very inexpensive, so you’ll benefit all around with these handy containers.
Browse Tiffins Here: https://amzn.to/2l8JzCt
5. Plaine Products
Plaine Products is an innovative company that focuses on quality and eco-friendliness. This subscription service allows you to select bath products such as shampoo, conditioner, and soap that are vegan, GMO-free, hypoallergenic, paraben and sulfate free, and infused with essential oils. You will receive a 16-ounce stainless steel bottle of your product for you to enjoy at home. Once you’re running low, you submit a request online and they will send you a new bottle and a return label for the old bottle. The old bottle is then returned to the facility, cleaned, and refilled for the next time you run out. This is a pretty unique service that allows you to enjoy your bath products without any plastic bottle waste. I highly recommend the service, and love it myself. The scents are absolutely amazing and very therapeutic.
Learn more about Plaine Products here: https://www.plaineproducts.com
While this is just a short list of ways to go green, there are thousands of other ways. With just a quick search, you can find many articles and videos on ways to manage your waste production. I hope that everyone will try to implement one or all of these into your lifestyle. If you are looking for a real challenge, have a group of friends attempt to go zero waste for a day, week, month, or whatever you decide! I have linked a super helpful video to get you started! Good Luck!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=99XyGRsLsrE