Sustainability is much more than simply recycling.
Sustainable living begins long before the end of life stage, with conscious choices in our daily lives.
Refuse
Cut down on waste by rejecting single-use items and unnecessary freebies like plastic bags, water bottles, samples, and swag bags. Resist the allure of ‘free’ and choose only what you truly need or value. Ask yourself whether these free items really enhance your life.
Reduce
In our culture of over-consumption, it’s crucial to pause and reflect: Is this purchase necessary? What’s the origin, material, and end life? Opt for eco-friendly, ethically-made, and reusable products. Ready for some mindful shopping? I’ve got plenty of recommendations.
Before discarding an item, ask yourself if there is another alternative.
Reuse
Extend the life of items by repairing broken or worn things when possible, repurposing them, or giving them to someone else. Like the saying goes, “One person’s trash is another person’s treasure.”
Recycle
Although important, recycling should be our last resort, as many items are not recyclable. And recycling is complicated and not without its own environmental impacts. We cannot recycle our way out of the waste crisis our planet is facing.
Rot
You might immediately think composting is not for you, but there are more options than you may think. Emissions from food waste are a significant problem and we need to do what we can to keep food out of the landfills.
Top 3 items found in landfills
It takes all of us.
If you know of resources that were missed, places that accept items for donation or recycling, people that collect certain items, or any other ideas that you think would benefit others in their sustainable living journey, please share!
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