While viewing stories on Instagram, I discovered that Starbucks was making efforts to reduce the billions of straws used by consumers every day. While this news brightened my day, I began to wonder what other companies were doing to improve the health of our Earth through different means of conservation.
1. Kudos to Whole Foods
Some grocery stores such as Whole Foods, switched to paper instead of plastic grocery bags as early as 2008. My favorite place to not find plastic bags beside the grocery store is the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. These are the same plastic bags that have caused flooding in developing countries by blocking drainage and have leaked toxins into our water systems worldwide. Isn't it refreshing that 94% of water in the United State contains microscopic plastic fibers?
2. Shamu Splashes Into Water Conservation
Besides just eliminating plastic straws and one-use shopping bags, Sea World and its multiple theme parks have made many efforts to reduce their carbon footprint and water use. They harvest rainwater for cooling building and have installed solar panels, reducing their greenhouse gas emissions by 9%. They even have gone as far as to change their food to more organic and cruelty free ingredients. By reusing water, Sea World is helping the U.S. fight against the one trillion gallons of wasted water every year.
3. Landfill of Glitter and Gold
Stores such as Staples and Best Buy have initiated technology recycling programs. Dell is also on board and accept any brand for free. E-waste represents 2% of America's trash in landfills, but it equals 70% of overall toxic waste. The metals in technology can easily be reused as Americans continue to throw out millions of tons of gold and silver.
4. Fashionably Sustainable
Target has introduced an eco-friendly clothing line. H&M has even introduced an eco-friendly brand to accompany their clothing recycling program. Eight-five percent of textiles are not recycled causing textiles to make up 5% of our landfills. Walmart has gone as far to cut off suppliers whose manufacturing, processing and distribution methods contributed to vast carbon emissions.
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