2. Shamu Splashes Into Water Conservation | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Food Drink

From SeaWorld To Starbucks, Billion-Dollar Companies Are Eliminating Billions Of Units Of Waste

What are big companies doing to help the environment?

1161
Starbucks Pink Drink
@starbucks via instagram

In This Article:

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.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Entertainment

15 Times Michael Scott's Life Was Worse Than Your Life

Because have you ever had to endure grilling your foot on a George Foreman?

1424
Michael Scott
NBC

Most of the time, the world's (self-proclaimed) greatest boss is just that, the greatest. I mean, come on, he's Michael Freakin' Scott after all! But every once in a while, his life hits a bit of a speed bump. (or he actually hits Meredith...) So if you personally are struggling through a hard time, you know what they say: misery loves company! Here are 15 times Michael Scott's life was worse than your life:

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

12 Midnight NYE: Fun Ideas!

This isn't just for the single Pringles out there either, folks

16278
Friends celebrating the New Years!
StableDiffusion

When the clock strikes twelve midnight on New Year's Eve, do you ever find yourself lost regarding what to do during that big moment? It's a very important moment. It is the first moment of the New Year, doesn't it seem like you should be doing something grand, something meaningful, something spontaneous? Sure, many decide to spend the moment on the lips of another, but what good is that? Take a look at these other suggestions on how to ring in the New Year that are much more spectacular and exciting than a simple little kiss.

Keep Reading...Show less
piano
Digital Trends

I am very serious about the Christmas season. It's one of my favorite things, and I love it all from gift-giving to baking to the decorations, but I especially love Christmas music. Here are 11 songs you should consider adding to your Christmas playlists.

Keep Reading...Show less
campus
CampusExplorer

New year, new semester, not the same old thing. This semester will be a semester to redeem all the mistakes made in the previous five months.

1. I will wake up (sorta) on time for class.

Let's face it, last semester you woke up with enough time to brush your teeth and get to class and even then you were about 10 minutes late and rollin' in with some pretty unfortunate bed head. This semester we will set our alarms, wake up with time to get ready, and get to class on time!

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

The 5 Painfully True Stages Of Camping Out At The Library

For those long nights that turn into mornings when the struggle is real.

3404
woman reading a book while sitting on black leather 3-seat couch
Photo by Seven Shooter on Unsplash

And so it begins.

1. Walk in motivated and ready to rock

Camping out at the library is not for the faint of heart. You need to go in as a warrior. You usually have brought supplies (laptop, chargers, and textbooks) and sustenance (water, snacks, and blanket/sweatpants) since the battle will be for an undetermined length of time. Perhaps it is one assignment or perhaps it's four. You are motivated and prepared; you don’t doubt the assignment(s) will take time, but you know it couldn’t be that long.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments