April brought this decade’s first full month of spring and the 50th anniversary of Earth week. It is also a period in which many of us are thinking about what we want our lives to look like on the other side of this quarantine. The alignment of these unique moments is the perfect time to bring the old adage “out with the old, in with the new” to life. Now is the time to cultivate habits that will better serve you, our global community, and our Earth. Here are some simple swaps to inspire you:
Trade in your bottled body wash for ahandmade bar of soap.Most body washes come in plastic containers, contain questionable ingredients and were tested on animals. These soap bars are handmade in Virginia, plant-based and come simply wrapped in a thin layer of scented tissue paper that can be easily reused or recycled.
Meal prep at home withreusable containers that can be washed and used again. Made with stainless steel, these containers are made with longevity in mind and are wrapped in compostable tissue.
Replace single-use plastic-wrap and aluminum foil withBeewax Food Wrap. Traditional plastic wrap requires a special recycling process as it could wrap around recycling equipment and halt operations. On the other hand, this innovative wrapper is made from organic cotton cloth and can be used to cover and protect food during storage. With gentle cleaning after each use, it can last up to 1 year before being recycled or composted. Bonus: There’s no need to continue wrestling with plastic wrap as it clings to itself or you!
Swap your plastic toothbrush for itsbamboo counterpart. Toothbrushes are traditionally made from plastic and often end up in landfills due to the difficulty of recycling them. Bamboo grows quickly and every bit of this product, from the toothbrush to the packaging, is plant-based and either recyclable or compostable.
As you move forward, remember that small steps can build overtime and that whatever simple swap you choose to integrate into your life is for you, your community, and the planet.
Christina Dietrich @christinad0889 Christina is a Kindergarten teacher who is passionate about teaching young child how to care for the environment and cultivating eco-friendly habits within her own life. Her experiences have allowed her to visit and learn about conservation efforts around the world, at places including Grand Teton NP, the Galapagos in Ecuador, and Las Terrazas in Cuba. She lives with her husband and corgi in Northern Virginia.
In the 1980s, a rising tide of consumer concern grew over the environmental impact of using and disposing of large amounts of plastic. The versatile material was becoming a target as landfills grew and the possibility of bans entered the conversation. Throughout the decade and beyond, the plastic industry spent millions of dollars in an …
Recycling is probably the most talked about aspect of the reduce, reuse, and recycle mantra but many experts feel that it should be our last option when it comes to protecting our earth’s resources. In fact, “reduce, reuse, and recycle” is a hierarchy that calls on each of us to reduce what we purchase first, …
When we nostalgically think back to the late 1940s and 1950s, we might envision a world castunder a black and white hue reminiscent of early television. Leave it to Beaver-style families sataround the kitchen table at breakfast and happily greeted the milkman as he dropped off freshmilk in exchange for the empty, glass bottles from …
COVID-19 has spread across the globe and upended cultures, economies,and the rhythm of daily life in a heartbeat. Since the beginning of this year, socialstructures have collapsed, hospitals have been inundated, and governing bodieseverywhere have taken swift and decisive action to mitigate the growing health crisis. While people have endured economic hardship, illness, and loss, …
Simple Swaps for an Eco-friendly Home
April brought this decade’s first full month of spring and the 50th anniversary of Earth week. It is also a period in which many of us are thinking about what we want our lives to look like on the other side of this quarantine. The alignment of these unique moments is the perfect time to bring the old adage “out with the old, in with the new” to life. Now is the time to cultivate habits that will better serve you, our global community, and our Earth. Here are some simple swaps to inspire you:
As you move forward, remember that small steps can build overtime and that whatever simple swap you choose to integrate into your life is for you, your community, and the planet.
Christina Dietrich @christinad0889
Christina is a Kindergarten teacher who is passionate about teaching young child how to care for the environment and cultivating eco-friendly habits within her own life. Her experiences have allowed her to visit and learn about conservation efforts around the world, at places including Grand Teton NP, the Galapagos in Ecuador, and Las Terrazas in Cuba. She lives with her husband and corgi in Northern Virginia.
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