3 Steps Away From Sustainable Living
The increasing frequency of extreme weather disturbances, dense urban air pollution, and the contamination of the seas and oceans with plastic waste has dramatically increased awareness that human civilization faces a huge existential environmental crisis. Here, we argue that humankind and our reluctance to take meaningful and urgent action are viewed as the cause of this crisis.
The mere knowledge of ocean pollution by plastics has already elicited an enormous amount of response and awakening. There is a rise in climate change activism, mainly driven by the youth. One thing that they are pushing is sustainable living.
What is Sustainable Living?
The Importance
Sustainability is something we are all responsible for and something we all benefit from. Not only in the long run by ensuring that we have a healthy and thriving planet, but also saving ourselves money and resources. The result is a cleaner environment, healthier home life, and the joy that comes from taking action for the greater good.
One of the key ways to start sustainable living is knowing how to reduce our plastic consumption, more specifically the use of single-use plastics. Plastic is part of nearly everything that surrounds us. From plastic bags used in stores to packaging materials used in our favorite fast-food chain, avoiding it can seem pretty daunting. However, to lead a more sustainable life, there are plenty of ways to cut back on how much we use.
Here, we have three steps that we can all invest in towards a greener planet.
First, let's eliminate single-use plastics. In 2020, over 220 million Americans used plastic plates and cups in their day-to-day lives. While its easy to ask everyone to eat dinner in re-useable china, for young adults with busy lifestyles or working parents, it's means
It will provide a cost-effective and stylish way to stay hydrated without relying on single-use plastics. Plus, most stainless bottles have built-in insulators that will keep your drinks cold or hot for a long period. Also, this does not only apply to water bottles and cups, it can also apply to other eating and drinking utensils, i.e. spoon, fork, and straw.
In some countries, they don’t even have the option but to put their purchases in plastic bags. Whatever it is that they offer, we can only help to reduce the use of plastics by recycling our reusable bags or containers.
Third, we replace our plastic toothbrushes with one’s made of wood. Plastic toothbrushes are made of polypropylene plastic and nylon which are sourced from fossil fuel, which is a non-renewable resource. Imagine the billions of toothbrushes dumped every year, sitting around 1000 years before finally breaking down.
That simply means that our first-ever toothbrush is still somewhere, creating pollution to our planet. So toothbrushes made of wood like Bamboo is a very good alternative. Not only is Bamboo toothbrushes a sustainable product it is also toxic-free. Responsibility to Conserve and Protect the Environment
It is very difficult for us to refuse any single-use plastics, especially one’s being offered in food chains and stores. By putting so much intentionality into living a sustainable lifestyle, refusing this single-use plastic means making a difference in taking good care of our environment.
Many business owners are now extracting their creative juices and becoming so competitive in conceptualizing their eco-friendly packaging, knowing that packing brings the first impression to the consumers. A lot of small and big indie businesses, like EcoSoul Home, are becoming very supportive in using and selling plastic-free products. They are offering plant-based eco-bags and wooden cutleries up for purchase on their website at https://www.ecosoulhome.com/
Businesses like this should be patronized and supported. Markets are also encouraging customers to bring their baskets or reusable containers for their goods. Because of this movement, native products are now getting more in demand and are being shipped all over the world. This has inspired a lot of craftsmen and environmentalists to pursue their passion and advocacy to help save our dear planet from too much pollution.
So before we do the purchase, let’s spend time finding companies or businesses that sell eco-friendly products which by the way are toxic-free. Through this, we are supporting and helping plastic-free brands to rise in the market.
Small Progress is still a Progress
The urgency to rise to such global challenges can often feel overwhelming, like nothing we can do as individuals will never be enough. Yet even the biggest movements began with small, localized actions. We may not have the ways to resolve dumped products from thousands of years ago, but we sure have the chance to make a change. Becoming mindful of our choices may seem small and meaningless but it does bring great impact for the years to come. Allow the next generation to thank you for saying yes to a sustainable way of living.