1. Reusable Shopping Bags Instead of Plastic
We’ve all been there—heading to the shop, grabbing a plastic bag at checkout without even thinking about it. But those plastic bags? They’re a big hassle. Did you already know the common plastic bag is used for 12 mins however takes up to at least one,1000 years to decompose? They frequently grow to be in landfills or, worse, in our oceans, wherein they harm flora and fauna.
Switching to a reusable buying bag is one of the easiest approaches to reduce down on plastic waste. Keep some sturdy totes on your vehicle or with the aid of your front door, so you’re constantly prepared. Not most effective do they remaining for years, however some stores even provide discounts while you deliver your bag! It’s a small addiction that can make a massive difference.
2. Glass or Stainless Steel Water Bottles Instead of Plastic Bottles
Buying bottled water may seem convenient, but the environmental toll is steep. Each year, an astounding 50 billion plastic water bottles are used in the U.S., with only 30% getting recycled. The rest end up polluting landfills and littering the planet.
Switching to a reusable glass or stainless steel water bottle can save hundreds of plastic bottles from becoming waste. Reusable bottles also keep your water at the perfect temperature for longer and come in a wide variety of stylish designs. This simple swap not only reduces waste but also prevents harmful microplastics from contaminating our water systems.
3. Beeswax Wraps Instead of Plastic Wrap
We use all plastic wraps to cover leftovers and package sandwiches. This is very problematic because plastic wrap is a single-use product. Plastic wrap cannot be recycled and could take hundreds of years to break down, in which process it emits very harmful chemicals. Much of this plastic wrap ends up directly in the trash after just a few hours of use.
Beeswax wraps serve as a great alternative. They are reusable and made from natural materials themselves, serving just as well in keeping food fresh. Simply rinse them off after use, and they’re ready to go again. For the small investment required, the result is an eco-friendly option that’s greatly reduced from the disposable plastic wraps.
4. LED Light Bulbs Instead of Incandescent
Replacing old light bulbs with energy-green LED ones is among the few ways you can save money by reducing your home’s environmental impact. LEDs use up to 75% less power compared to traditional incandescent bulbs and last up to 25 times longer, hence reducing costly replacement and waste. This reduced consumption of electricity not only blesses your pockets but also allows the reduction in greenhouse fuel emissions from the power vegetation that generates the energy you consume. A situation wherein it’s a win-win, you save money while doing your part in lightening the environmental load on the planet.
5. Reusable Coffee Cups Instead of Disposable Cups
Our on-the-go coffee habit comes at a steep environmental price. Annually, 16 billion disposable coffee cups are discarded worldwide, with many covered in unrecyclable plastic that clogs landfills.
However, bringing a reusable mug is a simple solution. Not only does it eliminate cup waste, but many espresso stores provide discounts for using the container. Reusable cups are additionally insulated, keeping your beverage warmer for longer. Plus, they have a more elegant, green look.
By making the transfer to a reusable cup, you could reduce waste, keep money, and revel in your coffee greater sustainably.
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6. Bar Soap Instead of Liquid Soap in Plastic Bottles
Liquid soap may seem normal, but it comes in plastic bottles that add up quickly. In addition, they often contain more chemicals than necessary. Most people don’t realize that soap scrubs are just as effective and last longer. Packaging is usually eco-friendly (or none at all!) and can help reduce the amount of plastic waste in bathroom products.
By switching to bar soap, you’ll reduce plastic waste and harmful chemicals that can end up in the waterway. Bonus: Bar soaps come in all kinds of amazing scents, and many are handmade with natural ingredients!
7. Cloth Napkins Instead of Paper Napkins
But the most harmless of all, paper napkins, in an overall effect, sum up to gigantic waste. In the United States alone, well over 130 billion paper napkins are disposed of every year. This staggering number speaks for the huge amount of environmental resources lost trees harvested for energy go into producing an item used for but a moment.
By choosing to use cloth napkins, you would be giving yourself something way more valuable and greener. In addition to the cloth napkin being demonstrative of class, it can be washed hundreds of times and then reused, which saves money in the long run while also minimizing your environmental footprint from disposable paper products.
8. Compost Bin Instead of Tossing Organic Waste
Food waste is a huge problem, with up to 40% of food in the U.S. going directly into landfills. When scraps in landfills break down, they produce methane, an extremely potent greenhouse gas compared to CO2. Composting your food scraps is an effective way to reduce landfill waste and create nutrient-rich soil for your plants or garden.
Composting isn’t as difficult as you might imagine it to be, and it can even be done indoors in tiny spaces. Many compact, indoor composting bins are designed for kitchen use or other indoor purposes. Composting takes your food waste and makes it into something valuable while keeping the methane-causing elements out of the atmosphere.
9. Digital Receipts Instead of Paper Receipts
Manufacturing paper receipts, though often perceived as negligible, actually require huge amounts of natural resources 250 million gallons of oil, 10 million trees, and 1 billion gallons of water per year in the U.S. alone. Most receipts are non-recyclable due to their chemical makeup.
Digital receipts- that is such an easy way to save some trees, and avoid some waste. Most places offer this, and you’ll be able to keep all your receipts organized in your email so you can’t lose them as easily! It’s a no-brainer!
10. Secondhand Clothes Instead of Fast Fashion
Fast Fashion is one of the most polluting businesses, has 10% of the world’s carbon emissions linked to it, and makes enormous mountains of fabric waste in landfills. Super cheaply made clothes are worn a few times before being thrown away. Shopping secondhand gives these items a new lease on life and reduces demand for new production.
You can look for secondhand clothes from a thrift store or from online websites that may be not only environment-friendly but could also be an entertaining, economical way of uncovering one-of-a-kind, great-quality items. By embracing secondhand fashion, you can do your part in mitigating the textile waste crisis.
