We’ll be the first to admit that sometimes trying to lead a zero-waste or organic lifestyle comes with a cost association. But in a year such as this, or any other year you might have a tight budget, there’s no need to feel guilty about not spending more to do more for the environment. In this article we will discuss some easy, affordable ways to reduce your waste footprint on the planet that won’t have you breaking the bank.
Why should I care about a zero-waste lifestyle?
As of 2020 scientists are finding micro-plastics in everything. The fish we eat, the coral reefs we snorkel on, and littering the beaches we in Florida love so much. I don’t know about you but drowning in a sea of plastic does not sound like something in which I want to partake. There’s a whole list of examples of how plastic pollution is affecting our economy and our bodies, but that’s for another article at another time.
Easy changes to make toward a zero-waste lifestyle:
- This one might seem like a no-brainer, but it is one of the biggest: stop buying multiple packaged water bottles. Filters that can be reused again and again are more cost efficient and save lots of plastic overtime. If you still need the convenience of a water bottle, invest in a reusable water bottle instead.
- On a similar note, coffee/tea drinkers bring your own coffee cups. Some of you have already hopped on this trend with reusable cups offered by your preferred coffee shop. This is a cheap and easy investment that can even be personalized depending on your preferred café. Many even offer monetary incentives for bringing in reusable cups. If you are more of a tea drinker, try investing in loose tea leaves and a reusable infuser.
- Use reusable straws or no straw at all. Plastic straws were not common until the late 1960s. Before then, straws were mostly used (paper ones) for milkshakes or root-beer floats. Out of the seven reusable straws I have, I have never paid a dime for any of them. Each was found as a free take-away at non-profit events. While some are pretty affordable on their own, if this luxury item is not something you cannot splurge on at the moment, check local nonprofits in your area that may provide them for you.
- If you’re picking up take-out, try opting-out of plasticware. The more you replace plastic cutlery with metal cutlery that can be washed and reused, the better.
It might not seem like a lot, but a small effort done by the many is a large effort at the end of the day. Always remember the term reduce, reuse, recycle, is in that order for a reason. Try looking for ways to cut out plastic in your life. What you can’t reduce, try to reuse, and if can’t do either, try to recycle.