There is no question that when it comes to the environment, our time is up, we MUST do everything we can to preserve our precious planet.
A lot of folks are caught up in the straw banning movement. Are single use plastics (single use anything for that matter) awful? Absolutely. But vilifying straws is doing a disservice to the many people who utilize them as an adaptive tool. In this rare case, plastic is best. These straws make drinks accessible for a lot of people. Paper falls apart, compostable cracks, metal can be dangerous, and reusable are sub-par.
It almost feels like we need a save the straws movement, but who’s got time for that?
As we celebrate Earth Day, let’s do an assessment of our Activities of Daily Living to see what changes we can make to do right by this planet, and leave those straws alone. Here’s a not so short list to start with:
- Refuse a straw if you don’t need it
- Ban balloons
- Save those plastic Easter eggs for next year
- Stop using disposable stirrers
- Recycle your bottle caps along with your bottles
- Better yet, stop buying bottles
- Demand stores sell milk and other beverages in glass that can be returned
- Don’t buy beverage cans that come in plastic rings
- Bring your own bags – everywhere
- Pack your lunch with reusable containers
- Take a to-go thermos to your coffee place
- Ditch those juice boxes/bags
- Invest in a reusable water bottle
- Bring your own doggy bag to a restaurant
- Ladies evaluate tampons – do you need one with an applicator?
- Use bars of soap instead of body wash in plastic bottles
- Demand water fountains make a comeback
- Tell your grocery stores to do better and cut back on excess packaging
- Use cloth towels rather than paper
- Turn the water off while you brush your teeth
- Compost your food waste
- Stop using wrapping paper
- Stop handing out plastic bags filled with plastic toys at birthday parties
- Ban plastic lollipop sticks
- Limit Amazon buys, frequent purchases = excess packaging and a big carbon footprint from deliveries
- Switch to energy efficient light bulbs
- Take shorter showers
- Combine errands so you can make them in one trip and use less gas
- Buy used toys
- Rethink that remodel. Think of the toll that dream kitchen takes on Mother Earth
- Properly dispose of cigarette butts (or quit smoking)
- Recycle more
- Flush less
- Dress for the weather and adjust your thermostat accordingly
- Refuse utensils with your take out
- Eat less beef
- Carpool
- Work from home
- Buy bulk using reusable containers
- Demand Apple, Samsung, etc. make sustainable electronics
- Research the clothing and bedding you buy to ensure it’s not shedding plastic into our waterways – microfibers are terrible for our oceans
- Buy used furniture
- Repair what you have
- Buy sustainable products
- Plant a tree
- Do laundry in cold water
- Use a drying rack/clothes line
- Don’t wash clothes unless they are truly dirty
- Swap your showerhead
- Use biodegradable dish soap
- Use covered containers instead of plastic bags for food storage
- Download your music
- Don’t bag your produce, if you wash it anyway, why not let it be free?
- Shop local
- Turn off your lights
- Recycle your cell phone
- Use matches instead of lighters
- Pay bills online
- Eat package free snacks: carrots, grapes, apples, oranges are healthier anyway
- Plant your own garden
- Dine at a restaurant instead of getting carryout in single use packaging
- If disposable cups are a must, label them and limit how many you hand out
- Look for energy efficient appliances
- Sign up for renewable energy
- Opt out of unsolicited mail
- Reuse scrap paper for lists, art, doodling, etc.
- Collect rainwater to water plants
- Unplug items you are not using
- Donate unwanted items instead trashing them
- Make your own tea, lemonade, etc. instead of buying bottles
- Stop using disposable coffee pods
- Toss used coffee grounds into your garden
- Shut your computer down at night
- Make homemade baby food
- Make your own cleaner or buy concentrated refills
- STOP upgrading everything, it’s downgrading our planet
What are we missing? What would you add to this list?
