So you want to know how to help?
Many people don't like what the world has become. Walking outside and instead of seeing green grass and trees, all that is in sight are hedges filled with the neighborhood trash. The people who see the beauty of the world beyond and want to help others see it, but how? It can be so simple to make this world a better, more beautiful place. Things like being more conscious of what you purchase, looking for biodegradable products which will decompose much faster and naturally and by purchasing recycled plastic products. All the listed ways are great ways to reduce the Earths waste, but the best of all is to REUSE your previous products in new ways! Things like grocery bags, straws, tin cans and tires are a huge garbage problem, so down below are some alternative ways to use these products. Plus hey, if they are going to last another 100 years on the planet you may as well find another use for them!
Basic ways to help clean up the Earth!
Finding natural products that will decompose much quicker.
With over 7 billion people currently living in the world, it is obivous that there is mass garbage build ups. Landfills are popping up in every city, town and village and slowly, the garbage is taking over! So how can we reduce this garbage waste you ask? Well, that would be extreamly difficult. Unless every person in the world cut back on what they were using then using everyday products will just continue to clutter up our planet. The simpliest thing you can start doing is opting for products that are to decompose quicker then other products. The benifit of these iteams is that they are not going to keep taking up as much land space. They will break down into the ground after a couple of months. Many people are not aware of these quickly decomposing iteams so here is a few quick examples to look out for!
Simple produce-
Simple produce-
Most people will go ahead and throw their fruit and vegetable scraps in the garbage. Yes that's okay, but there is a better alternative. Many provinces here in Canada offer a green bin service which allows all food scraps and yard waste to be put into a separate bin and collected to be composted. By removing food scraps and yard waste it decreases the amount that is to be put into a landfill as garbage. If these services are not available to you, look into starting your own composting bin. It's great for fertilizing your garden at home!
Recycled paper-
Recycled paper is a great option when considering throwing out your newspapers or old sheets of paper. This paper is super easy to make and only takes a few items. If you are not the "crafty" type and trying to make your own paper isn't up your alley, some stores actually sell recycled paper made by factories. The ones made in factories tend to be of nicer quality, but they still take a big hit on the environment because of what is creates in emissions and waste. Even though paper only take 2-3 weeks to decompose in a landfill, why throw it away when it can be reused instead of going and rotting in the environment.
Biodegradable utensils-
Most people in Canada have heard of the plastic cutlery used at barbecues, when you go camping or when your family just doesn't feel like doing the dishes. The bad thing about those plastic utensils is that they all end up in the garbage. A really neat alternative to both plastic and metal cutlery is biodegradable wooden utensils. Once you are done with these, you can just throw them into your compost bin and they will safely decompose into the ground within a couple of months, apposed to plastic or metal which can take years to decompose!
Everyday products that have alternatives:
Plastic bags- Plastic grocery bags; these plastic bags offered at almost every store in Canada are a huge danger to the planet. Instead of throwing out the bags, opt for bringing them back and reusing them next time you are shopping! Another way to reuse the bags is to give them to your kids (once they are at the age where they will use them safely) to make crafts. Crafts made using plastic bags could include jelly fish, baskets or even purses! Did you know that over 1 trillion plastic grocery bags are used annually?
There are so many alternatives for plastic bags available now and here are a few examples:
1. Recycled material plastic bags; sold at most grocery stores
1. Recycled material plastic bags; sold at most grocery stores
Source: 4allpromos.com
2. Biodegradable grocery bags made of corn. These bag are made of mostly corn and will decompose much quicker than plastic when sent to the landfill so there is not a need to try and find wacky way to reuse them!
2. Biodegradable grocery bags made of corn. These bag are made of mostly corn and will decompose much quicker than plastic when sent to the landfill so there is not a need to try and find wacky way to reuse them!
Source: made-in-china.com
3. Along with the natural corn bags, paper bags are a great alternative. They can be found practically anywhere and if you purchuse the right kind, they can carry even more then the cheaply made plastic bags!
3. Along with the natural corn bags, paper bags are a great alternative. They can be found practically anywhere and if you purchuse the right kind, they can carry even more then the cheaply made plastic bags!
Source: amazingpackaging.com
DIY Alternatives:
1. Grocery bag made out of old T-shirts
These bags are super durable and even really easy to make! All it takes is an old T-shirt, a needle and string! This is a great alternative because two uses are coming from one object. With the right fabric, these bags could be tough enough to hold 15 bricks! I have not created this idea however it is all over Pinterest and I figured I might as well share it with you!
The steps are very simple but it can be messed up so pay attention!
1. Start by cutting the sleeves off of the shirt. Cut enough sleeve of each shirt so that lines up with the main part of the shirt.
2. If desired you can sew the cut part of the sleeves to make an even edge.
3.Turn the shirt inside out if you want the design on the outside to remain of the outside. If you desire to see the outside of the shirt, keep it the original way.
4.Sew the bottom of the shirt together.
5.Flip the shirt again so that the bottom seam is on the inside.
6. If you want to create a stronger bag, then you can repeat this step again with another shirt and sew the bottom seams together.
7. Enjoy your new homemade recycled grocery or tote bag!
Image source: onegoodthingbyjilliee.com
DIY Alternatives:
1. Grocery bag made out of old T-shirts
These bags are super durable and even really easy to make! All it takes is an old T-shirt, a needle and string! This is a great alternative because two uses are coming from one object. With the right fabric, these bags could be tough enough to hold 15 bricks! I have not created this idea however it is all over Pinterest and I figured I might as well share it with you!
The steps are very simple but it can be messed up so pay attention!
1. Start by cutting the sleeves off of the shirt. Cut enough sleeve of each shirt so that lines up with the main part of the shirt.
2. If desired you can sew the cut part of the sleeves to make an even edge.
3.Turn the shirt inside out if you want the design on the outside to remain of the outside. If you desire to see the outside of the shirt, keep it the original way.
4.Sew the bottom of the shirt together.
5.Flip the shirt again so that the bottom seam is on the inside.
6. If you want to create a stronger bag, then you can repeat this step again with another shirt and sew the bottom seams together.
7. Enjoy your new homemade recycled grocery or tote bag!
Image source: onegoodthingbyjilliee.com
Plastic straws-
Plastic straws are some of the most underestimated waste products ever! Over 500 million plastic straws are used every day! That's over a trillion straws used every year. These little pieces of plastic can take up to 50 years to decompose and can out live the people who use them. There are so many alternatives to disposable plastic straws that its amazing we are still using them! Here are some examples:
1. Washable metal straws- Metal straws can be purchased many place including places like Walmart, Amazon and Ebay. They do have a higher price on the stainless steel ones but other cheaper metals can also be purchased in the straw form. When done with your drink, simply rinse out the straw. Some come with a little metal pipe cleaner like object which is good for getting in the groves and getting all the remaining residue out.
1. Washable metal straws- Metal straws can be purchased many place including places like Walmart, Amazon and Ebay. They do have a higher price on the stainless steel ones but other cheaper metals can also be purchased in the straw form. When done with your drink, simply rinse out the straw. Some come with a little metal pipe cleaner like object which is good for getting in the groves and getting all the remaining residue out.
photo souce: lifeslittlejems.com
2.Glass straws- Along with the metal straws, glass straws are a little difficult to find. Places like Ebay and Amazon have a large variety to choose from.
2.Glass straws- Along with the metal straws, glass straws are a little difficult to find. Places like Ebay and Amazon have a large variety to choose from.
photo source: bargainbabe.com
3. Natural bamboo straws- These straws are the hardest and rarest straws found here in Canada. The straws are made obivously out of bamboo and like the others can be reused.
3. Natural bamboo straws- These straws are the hardest and rarest straws found here in Canada. The straws are made obivously out of bamboo and like the others can be reused.
Plastic water bottles:
In the United States alone, up to 50 million plastic water bottles are used every year. Since a plastic water bottle takes over 450 years to decompose, this would cause a huge accumulation of plastic all over the planet. Instead of using disposable plastic water bottles more eco-friendly options could be used. Here are some different options for water bottles below. Simply pick your favorite and keep refilling it!
1. Classic reusable water bottles- There are so many different alternatives when using a reusable water bottle. Not only do they come in plastic, but they also are available in glass and metal. The great thing about water bottles that can be reused, is that every bottle of water you drink, another bottle is not headed for the land fill. After drinking all your water you can just refill it! A bonus to some reusable water bottles too is that they come with filters, so you can even drink tap water without having it taste disgusting!
1. Classic reusable water bottles- There are so many different alternatives when using a reusable water bottle. Not only do they come in plastic, but they also are available in glass and metal. The great thing about water bottles that can be reused, is that every bottle of water you drink, another bottle is not headed for the land fill. After drinking all your water you can just refill it! A bonus to some reusable water bottles too is that they come with filters, so you can even drink tap water without having it taste disgusting!
2. Drinking glasses- Everyone in Canada knows what these are. Glass cups you can purchase at every store, and they aren't that expensive. What's so great about glass cups? You can reuse them for years! Every time you drink out of one, instead of sending it to the landfill you just wash it and use it again!