The choices we make, from our meals to our clothes, have an effect on the environment. And sometimes we can fall into habits that aren’t the best for us or the planet.
For example, maybe one of your habits is going to grab an iced coffee before school or work. There’s nothing wrong with a little morning pick me up, but it can lead to a lot of single use plastic cups being dumped in the trash.
To make your habits more eco-friendly, consider asking yourself “is there a way to do this more sustainably?” You can make your before-work/school more sustainable by getting it in a reusable cup.
Create your own zero-waste kit.
One of the key ways to reduce plastic use is to think ahead. When you show up to a picnic without utensils or to the local market without a reusable bag, you’re essentially forced to resort to single-use plastic products. To avoid this type of last-resort situation, keep a zero-waste kit on you.
Building your own zero-waste kit is simple. All you need is:
A reusable water bottle
A cloth shoulder bag
A stainless steel straw
A set of travel utensils
A reusable coffee cup (for the frequent coffee or tea drinkers)
With these five items, you can effectively eliminate any need for single-use plastics. Keep your zero-waste kit in your car, in your bike basket, or on your person to ensure it’s always handy whenever you may need it.
If you want to reduce plastic use, it’s important to think about alternatives. Cardboard is an excellent substitute that is sturdy and more eco-friendly. Generally speaking, it’s easier to recycle cardboard than plastic. Given that paper products tend to biodegrade more easily, cardboard is a lot kinder to the earth post-recycle. Forgo the plastic packets and opt for boxed pasta or boxed laundry detergent to reduce the amount of plastic you purchase and have in your home.
Though making lifestyle changes may seem daunting, a cleaner, greener earth awaits when we all do our part.
Learn more about EvCC Sustainability! www.everettcc.edu/green
Mariya Zelenskyy – Media and Outreach Coordinator sustainability@everettcc.edu