It is possible to save the planet without sacrificing your own comfort.
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We all use disposable things: we buy coffee in paper cups on the way to work, we order groceries delivered from the store in plastic bags, we take bottled water to the gym, we wipe our sneakers with wet wipes. Often the life of these items ends 10-15 minutes after they get into our hands. And they will take much longer to decompose. For instance, paper takes 2 to 10 years, plastic bags about 200 years and plastic dishes about 500 years.
Garbage is piling up, landfills are growing and the oceans are getting polluted. Yet few people are willing to give up a comfortable life right now to save the planet in the distant future. But the amount of waste can be reduced by only slightly adjusting one's habits. For example, if we replace some disposable things with reusable ones. This will not only help nature, but in many cases will save money.
1. Plastic bags.
Dozens of disposable bags can be replaced by one cloth bag. It can easily support the weight of all your purchases and will last for years. There are models with cheerful prints - they also raise your spirits.
Instead of packing bags, use reusable canvas bags. In them you can put vegetables, fruits, nuts, and other products. If the bag gets dirty, you can wash it easily with your hands or in the washing machine.
2. water bottles
Drinking water bottles are usually made of Plastic & Health The hidden CosTs of a PlasTiC PlaneT (PET or PETE). This material is recyclable. But not every container ends up in a plastic recycling bin and gets a second life. Most often they are just thrown in the nearest trashcan.
A good replacement is a reusable water bottle with a convenient drinking neck. And in the summer, you can take water with you in a thermos (it will stay cold even if it's hot outside).
3. Coffee cups
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If you think paper cups are harmless for the planet, you're wrong. They really are made from degradable cellulose, but they are coated on the inside with polypropylene to keep the walls from getting soggy. This "layer cake" of paper and plastic is not recyclable. And they also use bisphenol-A, which is dangerous to most marine life.
You don't have to give up on takeout drinks. You can simply bring a thermal mug and ask the barista to pour coffee into it. By the way, in some coffee houses for a drink, which poured in your drinkware, there are discounts. So not only will you help the planet, but also save money.
4. Cotton swabs
ENT doctors say it's dangerous to clean your ears with cotton swabs: you can't get the wax all the way out, and it can clump together and form plugs.
If you need the wands for other purposes (like fixing makeup or treating a scratch), use reusable ones. Simply wrap both ends of the toothpick with small pieces of absorbent cotton, then throw away the soiled "tips." If you don't want to bother, buy sticks made of biodegradable materials.
5. Diapers and pads
These hygiene items have made life a lot easier for millions of women and young parents, but they're just as bad for the environment as plastic bags.
To improve the situation, you don't have to go back to cotton diapers, which need endless washing and ironing. Just buy reusable diapers. They are sold in many children's stores.
An alternative to tampons will be a menstrual cup. It can be used up to five years. In addition, you can buy reusable pads in pharmacies.
6. Tubes for drinks
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Some eco-friendly cafes and coffee shops offer reusable metal or glass straws to customers, but they're only suitable for drinks you consume on the spot. If you like to buy take-out coffee or juice, it's better to buy your own stainless steel straw and take it with you.
Another option is tubular macarons. You can't use them with hot drinks, but they work well with juices, lemonades, and iced tea. And they're great for cocktails if you want to have an eco-party.
7. Wet Wipes.
Wet wipes contain artificial fibers that take decades to decompose. An environmentally friendly alternative was invented a long time ago - a regular handkerchief made of cotton cloth.
If you need to disinfect something, just moisten it with a hand sanitizer gel, which can be found at any supermarket or drugstore.
8. Dishwashing sponge
Regular dishwashing sponges do not biodegrade and are not suitable for recycling. That said, they most often only last a couple of weeks.
If you like to tackle problems radically, you can buy a dishwasher - regular or tabletop - that doesn't require plumbing. Another workable option is a wooden brush with a natural pile. Unlike sponges, it does not absorb odors and will last more than a year.
9. Tea bags
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There's no problem with paper tea bags: they decompose quickly and without trace. But pyramids made of plastic mesh will sit in a landfill for a couple of hundred years.
If you drink tea a lot, buy a reusable strainer and a few loose leaf varieties. Not only will it be more environmentally friendly, but it will taste better too.
10. Food wrap.
You don't have to use cling film or foil to keep food fresh. Reusable wax cloths will also work. They are made from cotton cloth, which is then impregnated with a mixture of wax, natural tree resins and oils.
Such alternative to the food film is easy to wash and convenient to store: in the dry state wipes harden and take up little space. And when you need to give them some shape, it is enough just to warm them with the warmth of your hands.
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