Simple Swaps to Save the Environment

By now you have seen the pictures of trash floating in the oceans and rivers. News of pollution seems to be everywhere, and for good reason. We have got to do something about it.

You may be thinking “Well I never threw my trash in the ocean, it’s not my problem!” But let me make this clear: pollution is everyone’s problem. For example, if you throw plastic trash in the dumpster that gets hauled to the landfill, you are contributing to the problem.

But wait, I’m throwing my trash in the garbage and cleaning up after myself. How am I contributing to the problem?

The answer lies in what we are throwing away. (And not all trash makes it to the dump. Some blows out, makes it way to the river, then dumps in the ocean.) Single-use plastics have become a growing environmental problem. Almost everything produced is either made of, or packaged in plastic. Think of your last grocery store run. The food you bought – likely in plastic containers or wraps. The hygiene products- likely shrink wrapped in plastic or made of plastic themselves.

The problem with plastic is that it never fully bio-degrades. It simply breaks into smaller and smaller components over-time (called micro-plastics), but never composts in the way that organic matter would. Because it doesn’t fully break down, our environment is swamped with micro-plastics that release toxic chemicals and eventually find their way into the bellies of birds and marine life (more on that in a future post). And scary fact: it is estimated that by 2050, there will be more plastics in the ocean than fish….

So what can you do to help alleviate the problem? You can start by reducing your consumption of single-use plastics. Here are a few easy swaps you can make.

1. Replace saran wrap with reusable beeswax wrap.

These wraps can be used over and over which will save you money and reduce what you throw away. All you do is rinse them off after each use, let them dry, and they are ready to go. I personally think these actually keep my food fresher. Use them from anything to covering open food containers to wrapping veggies. You can find these on Amazon.

2. Use reusable shopping bags .

It is estimated that a single plastic bag takes about 500+ years to break down in the environment. So it boggles my mind that retailers are still allowed to bag your junk in single-use bags that will never degrade. What a waste. To reduce your environmental footprint, purchase a few reusable shopping bags and keep then in your car. Just by making this simple swap, you could save over 150 plastic bags from going into the environment each year!

3. Invest in mesh produce bags.

These things are a game changer. I have a few of them that I keep in my car that I always take into the store with me. I like to buy bulk fruits and veggies, which these bags are perfect for. Each time I shop with them, it eliminates around 4 single-use plastic produce bags from going into the landfill. Over the course of a year, that really adds up.

4. Say no to plastic straws, plates, cups, and cutlery.

Just no to all of it. If you are eating at home, there is no reason you can’t eat off real dishes. If you must have a straw, consider the stainless steel alternative. If you are dining out or eating lunch at school or work, skip the plastic straw and coffee stirrer. Pack your own utensils with you. Forego the zip-loc bags and pack your food in reusable containers.

These are just a few easy swaps you can make that will save you money (because they are reusable) and eliminate waste (because they are reusable). And less waste=more $ in your pocket= healthier environment= Better Lifestyles, Greater Planet.

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