Reducing Plastic Waste
Hello, Columbus! Christy here, from @ReuseRevolution614. Because this is a unique period in our history with COVID19, many people are becoming more aware of sustainability, and how accessible it really can be. We always like to say "Earth Day is everyday!" I started my low waste journey years ago when I couldn't ignore the litter I was confronted with daily. I started to look at my consumer habits, and realized that individuals really have the power to change. For me, one of the biggest areas of waste in my life was produced in our kitchen and bathroom or while we were on-the-go. If you're looking for creative ways to reduce plastic consumption, I highly recommend switching to reusable and biodegradable options. Here are a few things that have helped my fam in our daily lives:
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reusable silicone stretch lids for bowls and food storage
reusable and biodegradable beeswax wrap to replace any time you would use saran wrap
reusable food containers (even if they are plastic, the most sustainable thing to do is reuse what you already own!)
reusable silicone food and soup baggies to replace single use ziploc bags
reusable coffee pods for Kuerigs, or compostable coffee filters for regular coffee pots
bamboo utensils or stainless steel utensils are an easy replacement for single use plastic cutlery
of course reusable coffee cups and water bottles are one of the easiest solutions to single use disposable plastic to-go cups
reusable tote bags instead of single use plastic bags (this is a highly contested issue right now!)
bamboo toothbrushes
dental tabs or toothpaste powder instead of contemporary plastic toothpaste tubes
menstrual cups instead of tampons or pads
anything in cardboard, glass, or steel containers instead of excessive plastic wrapped products
just saying "no thank you" to juice boxes or tiny portion snack size things
opting for bulk or bigger sizes on our frequently purchased items to avoid the extra individual packaging waste *or alternatively* purposefully purchasing something in a small amount if we know we aren't going to consume it all in time (so we accomplish avoiding wasting food this way! yay!)
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Sustainability looks different for everyone, and we all have to find what consistent daily actions work best for our lifestyles. I would encourage you to try different techniques in your life on your journey towards making less waste. Anything we can divert from the landfill is a win! Being mindful and raising awareness are awesome consistent steps. Taking action is so important. Don't forget, emailing a company or tweeting at a politician online is free. If you care about our plastic production and consumption epidemic - don't be afraid to use your voice to create a better world for all of us :) We can all join this revolution, quietly or loudly, either way is perfect. . . . PS: If you're cleaning out your home right now & looking for donation drop off sites in Columbus, check out our facebook page for an amazing resource list of who needs what in the 614.
SWACO and Rumpke of course offer collection dates when we aren't in an international pandemic, so check their websites for take back programs of hard to recycle items like old electronics. Terracycle is awesome if your category of waste qualifies for one of their free recycling boxes... if you have the means to pay for one of their pay-to-play boxes, you can recycle almost anything through their mail in service. What do you find has been the hardest thing to recycle in your life? What is one sustainable swap that you've found beneficial?
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Happy Earth Day, everyday!! #reuserevolution614 #EarthDayAtHome #EarthDayColumbus
