Refuse, Reduce, Recycle, and Reuse Your Way into More Sustainable Living
Can we as consumers help to make positive global environmental changes with our purchasing power? Absolutely. Each time we make a purchase, we are supporting manufacturers who often need to adjust production in order to help lighten their carbon footprints. They won’t begin to do this until they receive notification from you, the consumer, in the way of decreased sales. The products in our hands and in our cupboards are truly what impacts not only their bottom line, but Mother’s Earth’s as well. We must all consider our part in the impact and cost on our planet.
What are the ways that this can be done, you might ask. To begin with, when considering a purchase, ask yourself if you really need the item. This is the very first step, towards REDUCING your carbon imprint. Secondly, take a good look at that packaging, and REFUSE all items that are marketed for single use. Is it something that can be recycled, or will it just end up as another piece in the massive landfill we are acquiring? Always try to purchase locally made and produced items when available. Support your local economy.
A good rule of thumb to think about when purchasing and item, is ‘will this cause harm to anyone or anything by purchasing it?’
Think of ways you can REUSE all items you bring into your day. Consider free cycle, barter, or donations to charitable organizations, rather than hauling it to the dump. There is value in your discarded items, if you remember that old rule –“Your trash is someone’s treasure.”
If you haven’t already begun a COMPOST pile, now is the time to do so. Along with the usual garden and food items, there are things you haven’t thought of including, such as dryer lint, hair, ash, and floor sweepings which can be included in red worm bins.
We all are, hopefully, involved in RECYCLING in our daily lives, but estimates reveal that everyone can reduce their household trash percentages by 75-80% if they will only become aware of what they are discarding. Just ask yourself, is there a better alternative? More often than not, you will find that there definitely is a better choice for you and Mother Earth.
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