Hi Friends,
We are heading towards the end of our 30 Day Challenge. Hope you are feeing good about any of the tips which you might have implemented so far. Every action makes a difference!
Also, hope this week’s tips will inspire you to try them, and to think about other inventive ways to reduce plastic pollution and waste in our lives.
Please share your thoughts and ideas.
Plastic
1 - Here’s a fun idea. Eat an ice cream cone instead of having it in a plastic container at the ice cream store. Delicious and no waste.
2 – Take a look at ingredients of chewing gum. Most are no longer made with resin, but with plastic. We certainly don’t need to be ingesting any more plastic than we already do.
3 - Try Soap Nuts instead of laundry detergent that comes in plastic jugs. Soap nuts are biodegradable, and compostable and can be found at many grocery stores, on line and at zero waste stores. They clean your laundry really well too. Just put 4 or 5 nuts in the small bag they come with and wash your laundry as usual. After using the nuts several times, put them in the compost.
4 – Use bar soap instead of shaving cream. The cans that shaving cream comes in are not recyclable. Bar soap is far more inexpensive and works really well
5 – While we are on the topic of shaving, use a safety razor instead of disposable plastic razors
Pets
6 – Use stainless steel bowls for food and water, Better for the environment and for the health of your pet.
7 – Toys - There are toys that are made from recycled fire hoses, or natural fibers. My dog who is a notorious chewer has had his fire hose toys longer than any others.
8- Pet cleanup - There are flushable cornstarch based dog poop bags. They are called “Flush Doggie” and you can get them online .
Moving towards zero waste
9- Refuse – Say no to promotional items, like magnets, plastic pens, and all those plastic giveaways that become clutter.
10 – Repair - Many things that we toss can be repaired. There are repair cafes that offer repair services for everything from yard equipment to knife sharpening. Community organizations periodically offer these repair cafes, so look for them. Learn a new skill and repair clothing, tools, and household items yourself, or find someone who can.
11- Buy resale - There are many resale shops in our community selling an array of things from clothing to furniture to jewelry, appliances, etc. Think resale before you buy new. You never know what treasures you will find.
12 - Repurpose - Here’s where your creativity can shine. Turn an unwanted item into something new. An odd cup becomes a planter, a sheet you longer wants becomes a reusable shopping bag. Etc.
Bonus Tip *
While you are at the resale shop donate what you no longer want for someone else to use.
Have a great sustainable week
Helene
