Tomorrow is Earth Day. Ways I try to reduce my impact on the environment:
1. Be cognizant of packaging. Plastic is bad, no matter how you spin it. I avoid things packaged in plastic when I can. Do I need produce bags? No. So I don't use them.
2. Don't use paper plates and plastic cups unless we have a large crowd. Which is hardly ever anymore.
3. Tote groceries in bags kept in trunks. I only accept plastic bags when I need trash can liners. If I'm only buying a few things and don't have a tote with me, I say I don't need a bag, thanks. We don't need the plastic bags.
4. Pack lunch foods in reusable bags. These babies can go in the dishwasher.
6. Glass or stainless steel straws. Sarah got me a glass straw for Christmas a few years back. I added another as well as a set of stainless steel straws so now I'm not throwing them out all the time. The stainless steel ones I bought last year came with cleaning brushes too.
7. Hang clothes to dry. I hang a majority of my clothes to dry instead of using the dryer. When we have a large yard, they'll all be hung out to dry.
8. Group errands together, walk, or use public transport. I schedule my errands for one day instead of multiple days polluting the atmosphere with my car. I take the asshole train to work, and at the shore I park my car and walk or bike everywhere until I leave. I also run as many errands as I can at the shore since I'm on foot or bike and during lunch at work since I'm on foot then as well.
9. Carry drinks in a reusable bottle. I love the S'well bottles because they keep drinks cool all day on the beach even when left in the sun. I detest plastic water bottles. If you are traveling via air, just make sure your reusable bottle is empty until you get through security.
10. Vote for people who know science and climate change are real.
11. Pick up trash I see on the beach. Enough shit is in the oceans, we don't need our trash washing out there.
12. Use cloth napkins, cleaning cloths, and hand towels. Paper towels are for dog accidents only.
13. Look for ways to reuse items or donate them instead of trashing them. I do put shore furniture out on my curb at home, but that's because it doesn't last for more than 10 minutes before a picker snaps it up.
14. Don't let the water run. While brushing teeth, washing dishes, etc. etc.
15. Compact fluorescent bulbs. Even though they're ugly.
Areas I need improvement on:
-To go coffee cups. DD doesn't make a reusable cup big enough to hold a large. DD, are you listening? I'd like a reusable cup that holds a large.
-Composting. I don't do it, but I should.
What do you do in your daily life to be more environmentally friendly?
