Changing Your Habits

Beezwax Wraps- https://www.beeswrap.com/

These wraps, which come in a variety of sizes and patterns, are perfect for wrapping sandwiches and snacks or covering large dishes. Waterproof from the beeswax coating, they can be reused and easily cleaned. No longer will you have to worry about fitting food into small Ziploc bags, because the Bees Wrap can conform to snacks of all sizes and shapes. Don't keep wasting money on plastic bags when you can be more frugal AND sustainable with the Bees Wrap!

Tote Shopping Bags-https://www.organiccottonmart.com

Whether grocery shopping or running errands, these sturdy, reusable tote bags are an absolute necessity for carrying around your purchases. While some stores already offer paper bags, they often come with an extra price, can tear easily, and still do damage to our environment. By purchasing these bags, you will be able to save money while also making a difference.

Dryer Balls- https://www.publicgoods.com

Why continue paying for environmentally-harmful, single-use dryer sheets when you can purchase these reusable dryer balls? These dryer balls, made of 100% wool, achieve the same softening and static-reducing effect on your clothing, but without contributing to pollution, all with a single payment.

NotPaper Towels- https://wellearthgoods.com

Paper towels, although sometimes convenient, can easily pollute our waterways and forests, and their costs can quickly add up. Washable paper towels are a more sustainable and ultimately cheaper alternative. No matter what you may be cleaning up, these reusable paper towels can easily be tossed in the washing machine and be returned to perfect condition. A variety of colors ensures that these will be a sustainable, attractive addition to your home.

Shampoo/Soap BARS!- https://theearthlingco.com/products/shampoo-bars

You may be thinking...what does shampoo have to do with saving the environment? Similarly to most single-use products, liquid shampoo and body-wash bottles are often made of plastic and are rarely recycled. This concept of shampoo bars may seem untraditional, but high-quality shampoo and conditioner can be put in bar form just like regular hand soap! These bars not only last a long time, but also come in minimal, recyclable packaging, or even waste-free if you buy them in person! Just because you're clean, it doesn't mean the Earth can't be, too!

Personal protective equipment is helpful, but the waste it produces is not! On our cleanups, disposable masks were one of the major forms of litter we found. Instead of wasting money on uncomfortable, bland, single-use masks, try buying machine-washable masks which come in all sizes, shapes, and colors. Many brands, such as Made Trade, make reusable masks out of 100% organic cotton that are designed to fit comfortably and match with whatever you may be wearing

Thrift Shopping

Approximately 85% of textiles produced each year are thrown into landfills, where they are commonly burned, producing overwhelming amounts of harmful greenhouse gases. Supporting unsustainable fast fashion can be easily avoided by practicing thrift shopping! Cheap, high-quality clothing is in excess in thrift stores, and it can be purchased without increasing the demand for fast-fashion, polyester textiles, which often use harmful labor and production practices. Donating your clothing to thrift stores is also a way to reduce the demand for new clothing by making it available to others!

Reusable Water Bottles

Plastic water bottles are harmful to our environment and are a major expense when used in daily practice. Those with clean water available to them can save money and their environment by investing in a reusable water bottle, which can last for years and can be purchased in a variety of colors and sizes. Reusable water bottles are more convenient, especially for people with busy lives that are usually on the go.

Reduce Meat Consumption/Eat Local

The meat industry is notorious for its use of harmful chemicals, production of greenhouse gases, and excessive use of resources. As the demand for meat increases, the means of production only become more unsustainable. One way to significantly reduce your impact on the environment is eating less meat, or shopping for local, more sustainable meat. Many resources, such as www.heart.org, are available to give you all the information you may need about staying nourished while eating less meat. Although being vegetarian or vegan has the greatest benefit to the environment, a simple reduction in meat intake can still help make a difference in your health and the world around you!

Transportation

Personal cars can be costly, unreliable, contribute to traffic jams, and are especially bad for the environment. All the hassle of personal cars can be avoided with public transportation, biking, or walking! Buses and trains reduce the number of space-wasting cars on the roads and reduce the amount of harmful emissions produced per person. Paying for public transportation is also less expensive than constantly paying for gas and auto maintenance, so much so that you can save thousands of dollars per year!