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10 Ways to be Kinder to Our Planet

  • Writer: kvaughan
    kvaughan
  • May 20, 2020
  • 6 min read

Over the past few years, I've become more aware of just how important it is to care about the earth and our impact on it. Let's be honest, our planet is NOT doing well - and that's putting it lightly. There's a ton of research on this topic, so I'll leave it to the experts to give in-depth information, but I will say that it is extremely important for every one of us to do what we can to be kinder to our planet. After all, Earth is our home and gives us life, so we should be nurturing her and treating her with respect.





As one of my favorite bloggers and Youtubers, Shelbi, says: "You cannot do all the good that the world needs, but the world needs all the good that you can do." So, here's 10 things you can do to be kinder to our planet:


1. Use what you have.


This is, in my opinion, the BEST thing we can do to help the planet! Most of us don't consider the resources that go into producing everything we consume. So, by using what you have and not consuming more, you are being kind to our planet! Generally speaking, less consumption = less production & waste. Not to mention the wonders this will do for your wallet! I think we are often tempted by the "newness" of things and can grow tired of what we have. When we come to the realization that what we have is good enough, the constant chase of "new" goes away and true happiness and contentment are introduced. So, instead of buying a new outfit for every special occasion, wear something you already own and make it feel new by pairing it with something you don't normally wear. When a new cell phone model comes out, look at your phone and, if it works and fits your needs, keep it and use it instead of buying something new. This also works for self-care items and cooking. Look in your pantry and throw something together from the ingredients you already have. Look at some DIY recipes for your hair or skin. There are so many things we can do with what we already own - we just have to sometimes think outside the box.



2. Buy secondhand.


As I mentioned above, the production of new things uses resources, and, unfortunately, most of us turn to purchase new items before secondhand items when we are in need or want of something. Secondhand items have already been made - the resources already used to produce that item. That makes them so valuable, in my opinion. I think there's a lot of stigma around buying secondhand, but it's something my family and I have done for years. Not only do you get to give each item a second "life" so to speak, but you also typically get a great deal on them. Thrift stores have become pretty popular over the last few years, so check out your local thrift store next time you are in need or want of something. If you prefer to shop online, companies like ThredUP provide an online shopping experience while being completely secondhand!



3. Upcycle what you can.


This is one of my favorite things to do because not only does it help the planet, it also helps my wallet. A few of my favorite things to upcycle include glass jars that once held food items, old wash towels, old t-shirts, and gift wrapping/bags. The jars can be used as drinking glasses, to hold leftovers, for plant propagation, for homemade self-care products, and so much more! Old wash towels can be used for cleaning. Old t-shirts can be upcycled into so many things. Just to name a few: cleaning rags, produce bags, bracelets, rugs, reusable bags, plant hangers, and fun throw pillows!



4. Use fewer paper towels.


This is one of the first things I started doing when trying to become kinder to our planet. It also became a bigger practice in our household when we were on a really tight budget. I have set aside some upcycled wash rags and t-shirts that I specifically use for cleaning, and I find that we really only use paper towels for very specific things! I'd love to get to a point where we don't buy or use them at all.



5. Say "no" to single-use items.


I have found that this is one of the most difficult things to do. We live in a fast-paced world where getting drive-thru and take out is a weekly and sometimes daily occurrence. While I'd love to say that I always bring my own cup when getting coffee and reusable bags when getting groceries, I just don't. It's something I really try to do, but often forget or get caught in a situation where I don't have my reusable so a single-use is unavoidable. A few things we can do to avoid or reduce our use of single-use items are using a reusable cup for your water, coffee, tea, etc., keep a reusable shopping bag in your car to take with you to the store to avoid plastic bags, say no to straws and/or keep a reusable straw handy, and actually use your dishes at home instead of buying paper plates, napkins, cups, and plastic cutlery!



6. Use reusable shopping bags.


As I mentioned above, reusable shopping bags are good for reducing the use of single-use items, but also keeps plastic from being used! If you are like most people I know, plastic shopping bags do get reused as trash bags, donation bags, etc., which I think is good. If you have to use them, giving them another use and purpose before tossing them seems like a step in the right direction. If there is recycling for this type of plastic near you, that is a good option if you end up with plastic shopping bags. I think most grocery stores actually have a bin where you can bring back your used plastic bags, which is pretty convenient. I have a few big reusable shopping bags I've used for years. We will take them to the grocery store with us and use the smaller ones for other shopping. Most of the time we get weird looks from the cashiers, but that's ok. It keeps tons of plastic bags out of the landfill and out of my home.



7. Reduce food waste.


Ok, this one is DIFFICULT for us and I hate it. Food waste is SO bad, and I think this goes back to the kind of society we live in where take-out is so much easier than cooking at home. I get so upset every time I have to throw out food that we didn't end up eating for one reason or another. A LOT of resources go into growing and producing the food that ends up in our grocery stores so when we buy it just to end up throwing it out I feel awful. All those resources and the food itself essentially went to waste. I have found that planning meals and being more intentional with grocery shopping has helped us reduce our food waste. It's also helped us to stay healthier. So, two birds one scone?



8. Repair first.


I think this is a practice that's widely become lost over the years. For so many people years ago and even today, repairing what is broken is a necessity because they didn't and don't have the resources to replace what's broken or torn. Whether that's a hole in your jeans or a broken appliance, opting to try and repair the item before replacing it is a much better practice for our planet and our wallets. There are so many tutorials on the internet on how to fix things and how to be more resourceful. When you repair what you already have instead of buying something new, you are getting more out of what you've already bought. You give each item a longer life by repairing it instead of replacing it. And, if you must replace it, opt for a secondhand option.



9. Consume less.


Ultimately, if we reduce our consumption we reduce the number of resources being used. This includes everything from food to clothes to home goods. Use what you have, buy second-hand, upcycle, reduce food waste, repair instead of buying new - all of these things are so important in the effort to being kinder to our planet. And you just might find some new skills in the process!



10. Recycle!


This takes a bit of learning and patience, but if you have the resources available to you, try to recycle everything you can. Take the time to learn what materials can be recycled and how to properly recycle them. Most neighborhoods have recycling pickups now, which makes it even more convenient! Recycling gives these already used resources a second life, which ultimately reduces the use of our resources.



I really believe that if we each make a few small changes and focus on what we CAN do instead of what we CAN'T do for our planet, the world would be a better place. Even if you picked up doing only one of these steps, that's more than you were doing before and that's one more thing that can help save our planet. Kindness is free and I think the world could use all the kindness we can give.






Here's a link to Shelbi's blog: https://www.shelbizleee.com/


I've learned so much from her, and I know you can, too!



 
 
 

1 Comment


alliebarnes93
May 21, 2020

This is so helpful! ❤️

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