Watching a brilliant Ted Talk earlier this week inspired me to share with you some of the ways in which I try to reduce the waste and disposability of the stuff in my life.
This is not meant to be a “ooo look how great I am and all these great things I do!” kind of thing. This is just to share some of the things I do to help lessen my impact on the planet. I would LOVE to hear what you do!
I also had a very good friend visit me last week, who was the first person I knew who was vegan before I went vegan, and who worked at the Green Party with me back then.
That means we have a lot of similar interests and values, and it was so energizing to have long discussions about the Red Cross thrift shop, soap nuts, comparisons of our travel mugs, and the various uses of aquafaba.
This video is meant as a friend checking in about some practical actions we can take, each in our own lives, to band together and make a difference in the world for those to whom this is really important.
This affects not so much us, who are reading/watching this – but more so the people who don’t have the means or resources to take these actions, and are being directly affected by what we do each day.
Pick up some reusable stuff:
Loose tea and Infuser: Loose tea creates less packaging waste than bagged tea, and you can find all kinds of fun infusers. I also never leave home without my travel mug.
Glass Straws: I never thought I needed a straw until I started using a glass one. These are a great option to make sipping fun and avoid plastic straw waste. Get a carrying case so you can keep it in your bag for impromptu smoothie dates.
Travel Cutlery: Light My Fire makes a pretty fantastic spork, with a carrying case included. I carry it in my bag all the time so that I have it ready if I’m out at work or travelling, to eat on the go.
Sandwich and Snack Bags/Wraps: These are great for taking lunch on the go, for kids or adults!
Reusable Lunch Containers: You can use these to store leftovers or take lunch or snacks to go.
Reusable Baking Sheet: This is a great alternative to parchment paper or tinfoil (which could still be re-used several times!) for baking that tends to stick, like veggie burgers or low-fat cookies. You can also get muffin cups.
Soap nuts: Little nut-looking things that you can use to wash laundry, create liquid soap, and more.
Solid shampoo: These are great for travelling, with the tins, and last a lot longer than a bottle of shampoo. They also have conditioners.
Re-Useable K-Cup: Keurig seems to be everywhere! Reduce the plastic with a re-useable filter cup, and save money by filling it yourself.
Watch, read, learn more:
Van Jones’ Ted Talk: The economic injustice of plastic
A person who follows a vegan diet produces the equivalent of 50% less carbon dioxide, uses 1/11th oil, 1/13th water, and 1/18th land compared to a meat-lover for their food. Click here for more stats.
Lead author on forthcoming UN climate report admits it’s time for action, not reports
Podcast: “We Are the Meteor”
Seafood eaters ingest up to 11,000 tiny pieces of plastic every year, study shows
Goals: Two friends walked from Mexico to Canada and picked up every piece of rubbish they saw along the way
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Amazon Associates Disclosure: Heather Nicholds is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.
