In a world where landfills are densely populated by plastic and endless single-use products, it seems like being environmentally friendly makes no impact. Although there is no fool-proof solution to save the environment, there are a number of ways that individuals can do their part. Reaching beyond the familiar methods of simply reusing and recycling, there are various other tips and tricks one can use in their life to keep the planet green.
Utilize Refill Shops
Refill shops, or zero-waste stores have become a recent environmentally conscious alternative to grocery shopping that serves to minimize plastic waste in everyday products. These stores offer brand-free items ranging from pantry staples such as pasta, grains and spices to cleaning products like soaps and detergent, all of which can be purchased in bulk. Customers can either choose from a range of reusable containers like glass jars in-store, or bring them from home, which they can then fill up with the products they need. These jars are later weighed to calculate the end cost, which allows customers to only purchase the amount of product they need to minimize waste. Even when purchasing in bulk, refill stores save customers from unnecessary expenses of repeatedly buying the same product in a smaller amount. With locations such as Earth Sage Refill Shop available in downtown Winston-Salem, refill stores are an easy switch to make to adopt an eco-friendly lifestyle.
Limit Consumption
While it is nearly impossible to fully end consumption in day-to-day life, efforts can be made to limit it to secondhand items and locally owned businesses. Shopping at thrift stores is an affordable way to purchase clothes rather than contributing to the rapid manufacturing of large clothing corporations. Donating to thrift stores is an environmentally responsible way of getting rid of clothes as well, giving items that would have otherwise ended up in landfills a second chance to be worn by someone new. When purchasing fresh food, farmer’s markets are an opportunity to support local farmers and to know exactly where your produce came from. Many small farms use organic practices when growing fruits and vegetables, avoiding pesticides and other chemicals that pollute the environment. Purchasing organic foods from local farmers helps support the farms that bring healthy, affordable products to the table, and reduces the economic and environmental cost of transportation for both the producer and consumer.
Avoid Single Use Products
The majority of everyday items that seem necessary to life are the most harmful to the environment. Items like plastic water bottles and grocery bags have affordable alternatives that are effective in both protecting the environment and minimizing personal cost. Rather than repurchasing plastic water bottles to be thrown away after a single use, the purchase of a reusable water bottle is a one-time cost and can be refilled time and time again. Grocery stores in some states have begun to charge a few cents when using plastic bags at checkout, which for little to no cost, can be substituted by a reusable cloth or canvas grocery bag. Most plastic products like straws and cups can be replaced by the metal or silicone versions that can be washed and reused indefinitely.
Reducing product waste and unnecessary purchases are the first steps to take when adopting an environmentally conscious lifestyle, with sustainable alternatives allowing for a yearlong Earth Day.
