Every Day is Earth Day!
Is it possible to live waste free?
At the moment, I just don’t think it is possible for the average person to live completely waste free. People have busy lives that sometimes rely on convenience, not sustainability.
However, there are still some ways you can help the earth by making incredibly simple switches! I’ve listed some below. How many switches do you think you can make?
Shampoo and Conditioner Bars
Haircare usually comes in plastic packaging which piles up and languishes sadly in the corner of the shower. Cue shampoo and conditioner bars! They cater to different hair types and you only need a little bit to go a long way, making it incredibly cost effective.
While we’re on the topic of washing hair - it’s actually much healthier for your scalp if you don’t strip it of its natural oils each day. Try to go 2-3 days without washing your hair, using an eco-friendly dry shampoo once in a while as you adjust to your new, healthier routine.
A Green Bathroom Cabinet
Grooming products are usually all single use and/or disposable, which can be frustrating because everyday grooming is a necessity!
Simple swaps like going from cotton balls to washable cotton rounds and disposable Q-tips to one reusable ear swab (also washable!) help both your wallet and the planet.
One grooming department that doesn’t have as many reusable options is skincare.
The choice to refill skincare containers is pretty nonexistent, but I’m happy to announce that one of my favorite skincare brands has decided to take the leap and offer just that!
Apis Apotheca offers their refills in compostable packets, and they always give a little more in each delivery, just in case. Since their products are so good, I always squeeze out every last drop!
Refillable Dispensers
Refillable glass dispensers are eco-friendly and so much more attractive than their plasticky counterparts. You can use glass spray bottles for household chores, glass cruets for oils and vinegars, and glass soap dispensers for dishwashing and hand washing.
When you buy products in bulk and refill your containers at home, you are saving on both trips to the store and the amount of accumulating plastic. Some co-ops will also let you refill your containers in store (oils, seeds, beans, flours, etc.) and some glass containers even come with the tare weight already printed for that express purpose!
Bonus points if you can find good quality vintage glass containers and dispensers.
Sustainable Packaging
The world relies on deliveries. That means an exorbitant amount of waste is created with each shipment. Thankfully, many companies, most notably Etsy, are now adopting the practice of offsetting carbon emissions or even pledging to become carbon neutral. (Offsetting carbon emissions can mean compensating the amount of carbon dioxide emitted from each shipment by investing equally in ecosystem restoration projects.)
Some companies ship completely plastic-free, using water-activated paper tape and compostable, biodegradable packaging. How can you join? Reuse cardboard boxes, use shredded paper as filler, and look into eco-friendly tape.
The Boxery has some great eco-friendly packaging options. You can also write to your favorite companies to urge them to make the switch to carbon neutral shipping!
Reusable Straws and Cutlery
Plastic cutlery and straws have overtaken the planet. I will never forget seeing someone roll down their car window and throwing all their plastic cutlery and styrofoam takeout containers onto the the sidewalk. They even flung out their plastic takeout bag!
Clearly people are abusing the cheap convenience of plastic in ways that will affect future generations for years to come. Let’s combat the need for plastic everything by taking along a cutlery kit made of wood or metal. Easy peasy!
Bring Back the Hanky!
It’s allergy season, and before that it was winter! That’s a lot of sniffles. Instead of going through boxes and boxes of tissues, (re)consider the hanky!
Short for handkerchief, it was a mainstay of wardrobes past and in my opinion, should be brought back. You can use vintage handkerchiefs or even scraps of soft cotton.
Keep them in a pouch to wash and reuse!
Sniffles be gone.
Refillable Ink Pens
Refillable pens aren’t just for calligraphers. One of my favorite stationery stores, Yoseka Stationery, sells an array of refillable ink pens and their respective inks (not sure which colors to get? Try their ink samples first!).
Good penmanship starts with a well-constructed, elegant and refillable pen in your arsenal.
I don’t know about you, but sometimes when I read about the environmental damage that is being done to the earth I feel incredibly spurred to action. I want to overhaul all the plastics I’ve been using and buy all earth-friendly products.
However, as counterintuitive as it sounds, the best way to help is to keep using what you’ve already got. It is actually more harmful to the environment to throw out still-usable items.
So, use them until they fulfill their purpose. Then make the switch to an earth-friendly alternative like the ones above.
Remember, my fellow earthlings, EVERY day is Earth Day! 🌎