Sustainability doesn't need to be scary
Earth Day everyday.
In the past two years, I have become increasingly educated and drawn to the idea of a more sustainable life style.
When I first learned that there was a way of living that could actively minimize my environmental footprint on the planet, I was admittedly intimidated by environmentalists and dedicated zero-waste people who could ridicule me for my small and seemingly useless attempts at helping out planet Earth. But I realize now that I shouldn't be afraid to make change.
I was primarily drawn to sustainability by the rude awakening of the consequences of modern society's plastic use. There is 300 million tons of plastic produced annually; 91% of which ends up in oceans around the world.
When I first learned this statistic, I was struck with a plastic conviction for a few weeks. I noticed the use of short-term plastic in my toothpaste tube, my shoe laces, Ziploc bags, makeup and skincare bottles, and even the bright neon plastic covers of my school notebooks.
It is naïve and arrogant to dismiss the fact that plastic has become an essential material for our fast-paced industrial economy and while I could (and I have) write a whole essay detailing the harms and solutions of plastic waste, that's not what I want to rave on about this time.
Instead, it was just this plastic conviction that forced me to begin considering how every other aspect of my life was creating unnecessary waste. Waste comes in many forms. I've seen it in Belize as the shilling water bags and foam food containers littered on the sides of the roads. In America, I see it daily in the excessive use of resources such as water and electricity (not to mention those plastic straws killing the turtles!).
Thus began the small lifestyle changes and reusable alternatives I have turned to in the last few months in efforts of moving towards sustainability.
I've included just a few examples below.
Eating/ drinking: Reusable straws and snack bags
Grocery shopping: reusable produce bags and totes
Shopping for clothes/ jewelry: Choose anti-fast fashion and sustainable brands or buy second-hand pieces
My closet is made up of around 95% second-hand pieces. The key here is THRIFTING. I love up-cycling clothes from thrift stores, but every now and then I treat myself to a piece from sustainable anti-fast fashion (I'm planning to write another post about fast fashion soon!) brands like Reformation or Everlane. However, as much as I love Reformation dresses, I've got to be honest...who has that much money to spend on a single piece of clothing?
Although I'm keeping my fingers crossed that one day I'll be able to afford a full closet of Reformation, I turn to resale items (that are usually new with tags anyways) on Depop, eBay, or Poshmark for now. And since I'm buying sustainable pieces second-hand, does that make me extra EXTRA sustainable? Probably not, but it's a reassuring thought nonetheless. PS. I also love looking for vintage jewelry pieces in thrift stores or antique stores; buying old jewelry minimizes the waste of metals that are difficult to recycle!
Beauty/ Self-Care: Plastic-free packaging or reusable alternatives
After making my own reusable facial rounds from cotton cloths a few months ago, I have saved myself from buying and using HUNDREDS of normal cotton rounds. And that's on saving both money and the planet.
I now swear by shampoo and conditioner bars. They come without any unnecessary packaging and each one lasts forever (forever as in more than 6 months)
There are so many options available today that make changes in self-care pretty easy. Apart from the products above, there are bamboo toothbrushes, plastic-free deodorants, makeup packaged in reusable glass containers, and more.
Also, in purchasing these items, I've begun to make a conscious effort to minimize ordering products on sites such as Amazon, due to tendencies for excessive packaging. Most of these products I've bought in-store or ordered from small companies such as Package Free Shop and Zero Waste Store that ship with compostable or zero packaging.
Though I didn't include them here, there are so many other ways to become more sustainable. Recently, I have personally begun switching to plastic-free toothpaste and sunscreen, as well as learning about the process of composting.
By no means have I become completely zero-waste in my life. Rather than trying to come off as self-righteous, I just wanted to share this subject because through many personal conversations, I have realized that sustainability is an idea that people often have very limited knowledge of. Sustainability doesn't have to be a daunting subject that can only be talked about by hippies or environmentalists! I'm just a 17-year-old making as many small changes as I can and hoping that this may inspire you to do so too!
On average, a person produces 1,569.5 pounds of trash each year.
What if we could reduce that statistic? Practicing sustainability affects every single one of us.
We all share the Earth as our home, so becoming more and more aware of how our lifestyles and habits affect the Earth we live on is so very important.
So where can you make changes in your life today?
It could be switching to a reusable water bottle to prevent plastic waste from disposable ones, remembering to bring a reusable bag the next time you head to the store, or it could just be educating yourself on the topic of sustainability right now.
Don't be afraid to start small.
I'm still learning each day about new ways to better both myself and the planet. If you made it all the way down here, kudos to you!
Stay safe and healthy friends :)
Xx, Joy
