Reduce Plastic Use With Simple Swaps

I read an article, 10 Ways to Say No to Plastic, by Melaina Juntti and learned that humans have generated over 8 billion metric tons of plastic since 1950. The biodegradable plastic is still sitting in landfills, as the decomposition process takes QUITE A LONG TIME. Plastic refuse is everywhere; on the side of the street, in the ocean, in the forest, and in proper recycling/trash bins. 

Make a choice to reduce your plastic use

We can each make a decision to reduce our own plastic consumption. Some choices can be made on a regular basis like using reusable bags in the store for produce as well as your total purchase. 

Choices that can be made that might not be as frequent, but each one makes a difference include:

1.    Purchase wines with real corks

2.    If the store asks you if you wish to take home the plastic hanger, JUST SAY NO!

3.    Avoid using straws in restaurants

4.    Purchase ice cream in a cone, not a cup

5.    Ask your dry cleaner if you can leave your own garment bag for your clothes to be put in once cleaned.

6.    Ask a flight attendant to refill the BPA free bottle you brought on the flight. 

“Portions of this post were provided by New Hope Network. I am a member of the New Hope Influencer Co-op, a network of health and wellness bloggers committed to spreading more health to more people.”

Eliminate Food Waste ... Recipes and Household Uses for Citrus Peels

Wasting food is a concern of mine. I try to purchase only what I need so I do not waste my money or precious food.  I read the article “12 Ways to use Food Waste” by Amy Palanjian and she suggests using a citrus peel to flavor water. This fascinated me as I have noticed wedges of citrus in water, not just the peel.

This prompted me to start to look for other uses for citrus peels. Citrus peels can be used in a variety of ways.

• The peel can be grated and stored in jars for use in recipes.
• A citrus peel can be added to a 50/50 mix of vinegar/water and soaked for a week. The result is a scented household cleaner.
• Citrus peels can also be boiled in water. The natural oils in the peel will permeate the water and the room acting as a natural air freshener.
• A citrus peel in the refrigerator will help remove odors much like a box of baking soda does.
• Orange peel is known to remove scuffs from the rubber soles of athletic shoes.

“This post (or portions of this post) was provided by New Hope Network. I am a member of the New Hope Influencer Co-op, a network of health and wellness bloggers committed to spreading more health to more people.”

Think Twice Before Using Plastic

Think Twice Before Using Plastic 

I read an article, 10 Ways to Say No to Plastic, by Melaina Juntti and learned that humans have generated over 8 billion metric tons of plastic since 1950. The biodegradable plastic is still sitting in landfills, as the decomposition process takes QUITE A LONG TIME. Plastic refuse is everywhere; on the side of the street, in the ocean, in the forest, and in proper recycling/trash bins. 

We Can Make A Difference

We can each make a decision to reduce our own plastic consumption. Some choices can be made on a regular basis like using reusable bags in the store for produce as well as your total purchase. 

Six Choices that can be made that might not be as frequent, but each one makes a difference include:

1.    Purchase wines with real corks

2.    If the store asks you if you wish to take home the plastic hanger, JUST SAY NO!

3.    Avoid using straws in restaurants

4.    Purchase ice cream in a cone, not a cup

5.    Ask your dry cleaner if you can leave your own garment bag for your clothes to be put in once cleaned.

6.    Ask a flight attendant to refill the BPA free bottle you brought on the flight. 

 “This post (or portions of this post) was provided by New Hope Network. I am a member of the New Hope Influencer Co-op, a network of health and wellness bloggers committed to spreading more health to more people.”

Four Steps to Take to Reduce Plastic Use

Four Steps to Take to Reduce Plastic Use

I read an article, 10 Ways to Say No to Plastic, by Melaina Juntti and learned that humans have generated over 8 billion metric tons of plastic since 1950. The biodegradable plastic is still sitting in landfills, as the decomposition process takes QUITE A LONG TIME. Plastic refuse is everywhere; on the side of the street, in the ocean, in the forest, and in proper recycling/trash bins. 

Recently I have been informed that there is trouble with plastic recycling since China passed the National Sword policy banning plastic waste from being imported (to protect their environment) beginning January 2018. According to an NPR story from January 2018, The US, Japan, and Germany are all at the top of the list when it comes to exporting their used plastic. In the US alone, over 26 million tons were sent out of the country between 1988 and 2016. The waste that had been traveling o China is piling up in communities. Something needs to be done. 

I continue to search for more ways to create less waste. I belong to a Facebook group, Journey to Zero Waste, which gives me ideas on ways I can create less of a footprint on the Earth and leave it a better place than I found it. This article pointed out ways we can all contribute to the environment through a reduction in our use of plastics.

Suggestions for the home include:

1. Remove yourself from mailing lists. The plastic windows in envelopes make the envelopes not able to be recycled.
2. Use bar soap rather than liquid soap (in a plastic container)
3. Skip balloons at parties and opt for recyclable decorations
4. Skipping plastic produce plastic bags and bringing your own reusable bags instead

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“This post (or portions of this post) was provided by New Hope Network. I am a member of the New Hope Influencer Co-op, a network of health and wellness bloggers committed to spreading more health to more people.”
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