Starter Tips for Sustainability
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Sustainability has been around for years, although with the recent influx in climate change awareness, it has become much more popular. The newfound popularity of sustainability has created an abundant amount of information, and it’s made it hard to figure out where to start. To get you started, I created a list of 5 of the best ways to get started on your sustainability journey.
Recycling. Recycling is the easiest first step you can take. It's often not thought about much, but it's more important than you think. However, there are tons of misconceptions about recycling. Many believe that you can just toss it into the bin, and you're good, but there are a few more steps. When it comes to recycling, you must wash the item first. After washing it, the plastic is clean, meaning it's safe to recycle but watch out for lids; not all of them are recyclable. Before recycling, make sure to check your area's local recycling rules.
Cleaning up. Another simple task that can help the environment is picking up litter in your area. Trash can greatly affect the habitats of animals living around you by spreading harsh chemicals, especially in coastal towns. Trash can also end up in our oceans, creating unlivable habitats for the aquatic animals of our planet and aiding the climate change crisis. It's another simple idea that isn’t thought of much but has a huge impact on our planet.
Utilize reusable items. Aside from recycling and trash clean-up, the best way to start living sustainably is to opt for reusable items. Bring canvas tote bags when you go shopping, so you don't have to use the plastic ones from stores. When you go out for coffee or tea, bring a reusable plastic cup, and if you’re getting food to-go, ditch the plastic utensils. This reduces the use of single-use plastic cups and utensils, decreasing the amount of plastic left to accumulate in our oceans and in landfills.
Donate clothing. Instead of throwing old clothes away, donate them to your local thrift store! This not only gives them more use but keeps them out of landfills. Along with donating to second-hand stores shopping at these locations adds to the benefits. There's a lot of cute stuff for cheap prices, and you help with saving the planet by supporting those businesses and further contributing to keeping clothes out of landfills. So stop by your local Goodwill, drop off some old clothes and take a look around; you’re bound to find something good.
Explore other options for drying your clothes. When drying your clothes, there are 2 sustainable options. The first is the use of a drying rack or a clothesline. This reduces the amount of carbon emissions generated by dryers around the world. If you’re unable to use a drying rack or a clothesline due to space, the second-best option is to use dryer balls rather than dryer lint. Along with carbon emissions, millions of single-use dryer sheets end up in landfills. Dryer balls eliminate excess weight and help your clothes last longer. A recommendation of mine is LooHoo Wool Dryer Balls, an online small business that is Black and female-owned.
There are tons of more tips for sustainable living, but these are great for people who want to live a sustainable lifestyle and don’t know where to start.
Strike Out,
Writers: Ainsley McCullen
Editors: Marissa DeMaio & Madison Sloan
Saint Augustine
