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From sunrise to sundown, follow this easy itinerary to be better to Mother Earth.
Changing to a zero-waste routine doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. You may be surprised to learn that the activities causing the most environmental impact are already built into our days, so with a few simple swaps, you’ll be making a huge difference.
The average person is expected to produce 102 tons of trash in their lifetime. While one plastic straw or grocery bag may seem harmless, these types of seemingly innocent items add up and create a devastating impact on our oceans, wildlife, and health. If you’re ready to take matters into your own hands and want to do your part, the time is now.
Here is a streamlined path to curbing your carbon footprint during the workday with a few health- and money-saving tips along the way.
Rise and shine! How you get ready matters: Try switching to a bamboo toothbrush that’s biodegradable down to the bristle. Over time, the entirety of the all-natural product — from the handle to the packaging — returns safely to our soil as compost, unlike the plastic variety clogging up landfills.
Iced coffee, anyone? Swap out your plastic straws with reusable metal, silicone, or bamboo ones. These durable and affordable alternatives are better for the environment — and for your teeth. You can keep them stocked in your kitchen drawer at home and at work for easy access. Say buh-bye to unnecessary plastic waste, while keeping your perfect-lip day intact.
If you can, work from home to reduce transit emissions. Otherwise, consider walking, biking, or riding public transportation to sidestep harmful carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases that damage the environment. According to the American Public Transportation Association, U.S. public transportation annually saves 37 million metric tons of carbon dioxide. Check with your workplace to see if there is a commuter benefits program available.
Approximately 1 billion trees’ worth of paper is thrown out every year in the U.S., according to a report by the University of Southern Indiana. Avoid printing out physical copies of meeting agendas — and anything else — if possible. You can also encourage colleagues, customers, and clients to electronically sign paperwork and have receipts digitally delivered.
Don’t forget to hydrate. Stick to zero-waste efforts (and contribute to clearer skin) by sipping 2 to 4 liters of water a day from a reusable water bottle. If you’re on the go between meetings and don’t have access to purified water, consider investing in an affordable filtering water bottle or a reusable personal purifying bottle.
Go meatless for lunch. Raising animals is an incredibly water- and energy-intensive process, and the production of red meat is responsible for a harmful amount of CO2 emissions. If you don’t go totally plant-based, replacing beef with chicken or fish will still significantly reduce greenhouse gases. Ordering takeaway or delivery? Skip the plastic cutlery, and pack your own from home by rolling them up in a washable cloth napkin.
Need some fresh air? Crack open your windows on a nice day rather than turning on the air conditioning. If it’s a chillier spring afternoon, don’t turn on the heat; open your blinds. About 76 percent of sunlight on windows enters the home in the form of heat, according to the Department of Energy. You’ll conserve energy — and save money.
When it’s time for that afternoon cup of joe, grab a ceramic mug or reusable tumbler instead of a paper or Styrofoam cup. Also, consider replacing non-recyclable plastic coffee pods with reusable K-cup pods. They’re unbelievably long-lasting and cheaper than repeatedly buying boxes of single-use cups. If you’re making a whole pot for the squad, try unbleached, biodegradable coffee filters made especially for composting.
By late afternoon, it’s time for a healthy snack. (Did someone say celery sticks and peanut butter?) Bid farewell to single-use plastic baggies, and hop on the reusable silicone snack and sandwich bag train. You can find affordable, eco-friendly food-storage containers that are leakproof, microwavable, freezable, and dishwasher-safe almost anywhere.
It’s almost 5 o’clock somewhere, which means it’s a good time to freshen up before your quitting time. Forgo those “flushable” wipes that aren’t actually flushable, recyclable, or biodegradable. Try plastic-free bamboo wet wipes that are plant-based and free of harmful chemicals, which means that no nasty toxins leak into the soil when they decompose. Or use one of these antibacterial ultra-microfibers that require only water to clean those screens.
Break out your smartphone or e-reader for a more sustainable and entertaining commute home. Whether you’re skimming the socials on the subway, listening to an audiobook on your walking route, or winding down with a meditation app on your couch, skipping paper is a good way to save the planet. Don’t forget: The good ol’ library offers secondhand copies of books — or use Libby, an app that provides free e-books and audiobooks from your local library.
If you’re grabbing groceries for dinner on the way home, bring along a canvas tote and washable, reusable mesh produce bags for your fruits and veggies. They fold up nicely and should fit snugly in your briefcase, backpack, and handbag. For motivation to always remember them, think about how you’re saving sea life from deadly plastic bags.
Once work is done, there’s nothing like a home-cooked meal. Challenging yourself to only eat produce that’s in season is not only better for the environment, but it’s actually more nutritious. By consuming what’s grown or produced locally, you also help combat transportation emissions, and by getting crafty with what’s already in your fridge, you a contributing to food waste, which is estimated at 1.3 billion tons per year globally. Here’s to your waste-free day — and a cleaner planet.
Mia Brabham is a staff writer at Shondaland. Follow her on Twitter at @hotmessmia.
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