Our planet is dying at an alarming rate whether you believe it or not and we need to make drastic changes quickly because our future depends on it. If one person can make a small difference in their lifestyle, that's already a difference made in the right direction.
Thrifting
The fashion industry throws away tons of waste each year. On average, consumers throw away about 70 pounds per person of clothes and shoes. Additionally, 95% of those textiles being thrown away in landfills could be recycled. Thrifting is undeniably a one-of-a-kind experience; you never know what you're going to find for a bargain, you are helping the planet by minimizing waste being sent to landfills, and you can donate your clothes to organizations, local churches, etc. who are in need of clothes.
Reusable utensils
Making the transition from plastic to reusable utensils can help reduce the number of plastic utensils that end up in landfills each year. According to Whole Foods Magazine, it's estimated that about 40 million utensils are produced each year, to which a majority ends up in landfills. Whether it's utensils, straws, or water bottles, reducing the need for plastic material will inevitably help our oceans and lands in the long run.
Reusable bags
Everyone has an area in their home that is full of grocery bags and produce bags that are overflowing. Switching to a reusable bag will not only clear space in your home but help fight against the issue of excessive plastic in our oceans and landfills. Your local grocery store will provide paper bags, tote bags, or canvas bags that you can use instead of plastic bags. The online company BAGGU sells custom, stylish reusable bags for as low $10 and can be used for multiple occasions.
Plant-based diet
Having a plant-based diet is not ideal for everyone (and that's okay). The Animal Agriculture industry contributes to climate change through excessive greenhouse-gas emissions, carbon dioxide, and usage of water. Making the effort to eat more ethically by incorporating more plant-based products can reduce your carbon footprint by five times.
Composting
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations reported that approximately 1.3 billion tons of food produced ends up getting lost or wasted each year. Composting is an easy way to reduce methane emissions from landfills, reduces the need for chemical fertilizers, and enriches the soil for plants. As a mother to some beautiful, apartment-grown produce, using the food scraps from cooking to enrich the soil for gardening can do wonders for this planet.
