The Ten Minute Activist
Easy Ways to Take Back the Planet
Reader Tip: The Zero-Waste Lifestyle
Since there truly is not an "away" when we throw something away, we all need to strive to live a zero-waste lifestyle. "Away" is the landfill, the atmosphere, the ocean, third-world countries. Our planet and its people are suffering from our wanton disregard when it comes to waste.
Living a zero-waste lifestyle begins by thinking carefully before making buying. Ask how the product and its packaging can be used again after its initial use. For example: buying cotton socks enables us to extend their use by darning holes; using as rags that can be washed and reused, as covers for shoes in luggage, and finally when threadbare, putting them in the long term compost to return to the earth in a useful capacity. Yogurt and deli cartons can be used in the kitchen to hold leftovers or in the office to hold push pins or other objects. Single serving resealable drink containers can be refilled, and other bottles and cans (glass is best) can hold any number of things.
These are just two examples for frequent purchases, but every purchase large or small deserves this careful selection process. Our planet is finite, but the ideas to use/reuse/return-to-the-earth in a sustainable manner are not. Be creative.
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