Cleaning Up Your Act: A few easy ways to live more sustainably
Morgan…living that compost life!
For most of us, COVID-19 has affected our lives for over a year now. It has affected our jobs, behaviors, social lives and it has also affected our purchasing habits and options. Just when it seemed society was getting onboard with the “reuse” part of the 3 R’s; many items have now been swapped out for disposable items. This may be due to it being thought to be more sanitary or it being the only option provided. But on the plus side, this can be a great time for us to re-evaluate our own habits and swap for some more environmentally friendly options!
Re-Focus on Recycling
It is important to find out the status of recycling within your community since some municipalities stopped collecting recycling during COVID-19. This is also a great time to re-familiarize your household with what can be recycled by your community:
· Does cardboard need to be broken down? What if it has a wax layer?
· Plastic bags often end up in the recycling bin but cannot be processed; is there anywhere to return plastic bags?
· Which type of plastics can be recycled?
· Where can you recycle electronics or batteries?
Take a look here for tips on how to get rid of household items in an environmentally friendly and safe way!
Diversion from Landfill
Now that we are all spending more time at home, another great option to experiment with is composting. Although it may take a few rounds to perfect, composting is a great way to:
· Reduce waste that ends up in landfills,
· Provide great nutrition for your plants or backyard,
· Reduce your need to chemical fertilizers and
· Lower your carbon footprint.
The US EPA provides guidance for getting started. It is important to note that not all items can be composted. This applies to items labeled “compostable,” since these may require processing in a commercial composting facility.
Single-Use Alternatives
During the pandemic, we have seen an increase in the demand for disposable items (gloves, masks, wipes, etc.) and, sometimes, it has been reported that single-use plastic is more hygienic. Did you know:
· The FDA has reported “there is no evidence of food packaging being associated with the transmission of COVID-19” but they do emphasize the importance of sanitizing our reusable items.
o Cloth masks, reusable bags and reusable gloves should all be frequently washed in order to limit the spread of infectious diseases.
· If you are ordering take-out and supporting local restaurants, let them know you do not need the disposable cutlery and ask if they have a paper bag option.
· Several companies, including Force of Nature and EcoloxTech, have come out with systems that allow you to produce disinfectants at home, which lets you refill and reuse your own bottles, as needed.
So, let’s all take a step back and take a look at simple everyday life habits that we can change to make our home just a little bit better.