Growing up in the late 80s, early 90s, plastic was big right? Food containers, bags, toys, hair accessories, bathroom essentials. Disposable was in. I never thought twice about it either. Sure we had a recycling program at school but it wasn’t implemented at home. Everything went into the garbage and I didn’t ask too many questions.
Slowly the narrative changed and more information was being provided about the state of the environment. Images of the polluted ocean from all around the globe circulated, smoldering landfills stunk up certain areas, and I can remember this. I remember seeing those three triangulated arrows become more prevalent over time. And as one progresses out of childhood and into adulthood, hopefully more mature thoughts start to progress and that is when my eyes started to open. I wanted to be a good citizen of this Earth. I want a future for this planet. But in all transparency, I’m not the picketing in Washington, D.C. for global change type. So let me tell you my seemingly insignificant steps that aren’t insignificant at all.
I see garbage, I pick it up. Garbage on the street, in the park, at my kids’ school, it ain’t pretty. So as long as it isn’t dangerous for me to pick up, into the garbage it goes. It’s amazing how close you can usually find an accessible receptacle.
I save glass bottles. Actually strike that, I save any receptacle that I can reuse. I can only remember one time in the past ten years that I bought reusable containers at the store. My favorite are the cottage cheese and ricotta containers because of their size but I’m also guilty of hoarding sauce and pickle jars. You may open my fridge and be a little confused as to why I have so much cottage cheese, but in actuality most of it’s leftovers.
The reuse of containers actually spurred me into reusable bags for grocery shopping as well. In North Carolina it is not mandatory to use reusable bags. You can still find paper but mostly plastic bags at checkout. I enjoy my huge reusable bags that fit a lot more than the plastic bags at the store though; less trips for unloading. I also made the purchase of reusable produce bags, too. Most of the time the ones at the store rip, and woven produce bags allow my fruits and veggies to breathe. Also, I can easily throw them in the wash.
A BIG hobby of mine and my girls’ is thrifting. Goodwill is our jam, baby! Pre-loved clothes, books and home decor is just an easy yes.
I’m currently in the process of switching the wax warmers in my home to either tea light powered warmers or essential oil diffusers.
These may seem like a drop in the bucket. How does any of this make any contribution to the conservation of our planet? Monterey Bay Aquarium is widely renowned for their ocean conservation efforts and research on our environment on a global scale. They have estimated that the average United States citizen throws away up to 300 pounds of plastic a year. The population of the US is sitting at about 337 MILLION people. If we all reduced our plastic consumption by one single little tiny measly pound of plastic a year…that’s 337 MILLION pounds of plastic. I think you get it. Small steps, BIG vibes.
Sound off and tell us what small changes YOU have already made!