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If each of us started taking small steps in reducing our waste it WOULD make a difference.
Going completely zero waste can seem very intimidating and it isn't a possibility for most people. That doesn't mean you can't make a difference.
" You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make."
Jane Goodall
Just taking the time to be aware of what you consume will make a huge difference in the waste you create.
Doing nothing will not change the world.
"We don't need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly."
Anne Marie Bonneau
5 ways to Reduce your waste without completely changing your life.
1. Say NO to Unnecessary Plastic
Okay so how do you say no to plastic in a world where almost everything is plastic?
Pick the glass container over the plastic container. Glass can be recycled infinitely unlike plastic. You can buy milk, juice, pasta sauce, and so much more in glass.
That little step just helped save the world.
2. Reuse/Repurpose
So you bought a bunch of stuff in a glass jar ...
But now its all gone.
WASH the container and reuse it.
Use it to store hair elastics, leftovers, or as a container for bulk food! Whatever you want. When you are completely done with it wash and recycle it.
Use items for as long as you can before getting rid of them.
3. Avoid disposables
Make a conscious decision to avoid any one time use items.
-Replace plastic shopping bags with reusable bags
-Bring a travel mug for your morning coffee
-Use a reusable water bottle
-Replace dryer sheets with wool dryer balls
-Use wax food wraps instead or plastic wrap
-Switch to cloth pads or menstrual cups
.
4. Buy quality items and shop second hand
The fashion industry is one of the largest polluters in the world....
If you are buying new be sure you buy quality items that will last.
Textile waste is becoming a big problem because clothing has become disposable. Toys and games are being mass produced and are only made to last short amounts of time. Everything that is made uses energy and will most likely be wrapped in unnecessary waste.
Shopping secondhand isn't only a great way to save money but it's also a great way to help the earth.
We need to stop the demand for unnecessary and wasteful items. To do that we need to stop buying them.
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5. Recycle
This might seem obvious but over 90% of plastic isn't recycled. That is a scary thought.
Be sure to clean out all your containers and remove any food before recycling.
Remember to REFUSE, REDUCE, REUSE, & RECYCLE!
Recycle being the last step of the 5 R's.
Now is the time for change!
Do each step one at a time and make it habit before starting the next.
" There is no such thing as 'away', when we throw anything away, it must go somewhere"
Annie Leonard
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