Take in all these scenarios, you normally wouldn’t think anything of these answers, if anything, it sounds like a fantastic afternoon. However, the coffee you got was served with a plastic cup and straw, the grapes in the grocery store were packaged in a plastic-zip bag, and the plastic pitcher, although cheaper, will break after your 5th use and now you still need a pitcher. All those items were disposed of and now will remain among the Earth long after your lifetime. Take that into accountability, and then think of everyone else’s afternoon and what waste they produced. 

I’m not here to cause fear, but to start a fire within and raise awareness to this serious dilemma. There are so many ways that we can reduce our waste and overall waste footprint.

Think While Shopping-

• Rather than focusing on finishing off the shopping list, focus on the products and their packaging. 

• Bringing your own bags is the best way to reduce plastic bags, which are detrimental to our environment. Sometimes, I forget mine and will opt towards the paper bags at grocery stores. 

• Consider the production process. Not only is packaging important, but the environmental footprint left behind while making the product is something that really needs to be considered. 

• Buy second hand to reduce the need for mass production. Thrifting is a major hack when it comes to buying sustainably and affordably. 

Ixnay on the Extinction-

• The meat industry is arguably one the worst things to happen to our environment. The production of meat requires a wild amount of water, which is already a limited resource, not to mention its emission of greenhouse gases, pollution and destruction of habitats. 

• Making the choice to eat plant-based is an active way for eating more environmentally friendly, lessening your footprint

• Food is one of the main things that pile up in landfills. Ensuring that you are purchasing what you are guaranteed to eat is a huge way to keep tons of wasted food out from spoiling on a random trash mountain. 

Organic Saves Lives-

• Packaging aside, let’s look at the produce in grocery stores. They’re categorized in two main titles: Organic and Non-Organic. 

• Buying Organic fights the use of pesticides which inevitably end up in our water systems and wildlife habitats through runoff. Many farmers use pesticides in their crops which goes straight to us on the dinner plate. When you opt for organic, you’re not only saving the environment, but also yourself.

Fast Fashion is So OUT-

• Fast fashion is one of the biggest contributors to climate change, from  the massive amounts of emissions released to the toxins released during shipping and supplying. 

• Animal based fabrics (wool, leather, etc) are responsible for numerous tragedies such as habitat loss and water pollution.

• Slow down with your fashion purchases. Thrifting has been an amazing habit that has resurfaced and it’s a fantastic way to search for that top that you saw last season, or even a dupe! You’d be surprised how much Shein I see in thrift stores (I might even do a whole separate post on how AWFUL Shein/Temu/TikTok Shop are towards our planet). 

Water Manners-

• Watching our water usage is super important with the population constantly growing and the demand rapidly increasing. 

• As much as it hurts to say, practicing shorter showers really helps when it comes to water management. As well as fixing leaking faucets/toilets and switching to low water-flow appliances. 

• As mentioned previously, the animal agriculture industry is a huge contributor to excess water usage, so limiting or even shifting away from meats and dairy really makes an enormous impact. (how? Supply and demand)

Travel Green-

• Transportation fueled by Fossil-fuels emit harmful toxins in the atmosphere such as smog, soot, greenhouse gases and other forms of air-pollution. 

• I received a bike for Christmas, and I’ve been trying to utilize it more when it comes to running quick errands around my neighborhood. Biking, walking, carpooling, public transportation or even join-rides are amazing ways to easily limit your carbon footprint.

• If you’re really feeling eco-friendly, you can shop for electric vehicles to end your fossil-fuel emissions once and for all! Keeping up with your car maintenance is also crucial to not only getting the best out of your car, but to ensure a lower amount of emissions. 

Boycott Endangerment-

• Lots of products are sourced and created with the price of a habitat being torn down, some being homes to endangered species. 

• For example: many products and foods contain palm oil, which is found in rainforests. Many endangered and protected species reside in those rainforests, and the deforestation caused by the sourcing of palm oil is resulting in massive habitat loss for these animals. 

• To avoid contributing to these losses, conscientious shopping is a huge role to adopt. Look for products that were made from sustainable materials, such as bamboo, and refuse purchasing foods that support a shift in balance with nature’s natural balance. 

You Have A Voice For A Reason-

• In this time, there is no more “I stay away from politics.” Everything is political now, and it’s time that you remind the government who they work for. 

• Pay attention to local elections and do your research on your representatives. These are the people who are speaking for you. The government is a reflection of what we have allowed. 

• Voting with your wallet is a huge way to shift the demands in the market. If we focus towards green, we will be presented with more green options.  

Real Talk:

I know, this is a lot to take in at once. Be patient with yourself when practicing new sustainability habits. We are only human, born in a world littered with the mentality of self-centered egotism. Humanity is not the only species on this planet, nor were we the first. Respect is something we have lost for this planet, and it’s past time to bring back our appreciation to the Earth that nurtures us. We are so lucky to be on a planet that supplies everything we need to survive, yet we litter her with micro, macro and air pollution. Fighting overconsumption and excess waste is the best way to start paying back our respects to our Mother Earth. Weren’t you taught to respect women?