It's Earth Day, and I've teamed up with Zak to pledge to choose to reuse.
The pledge is to use reusable containers instead of disposable ones whenever, and wherever, possible for 30 days starting on Earth Day 2019.
Ways to Reuse and Help Save the Earth
From pledging to reuse, to planting trees, driving less and recycling where we can. If we can set a good example, our kids and grandkids can lead the way for future generations.
Special Choose to Reuse discount: 20% discount on any Alfalfa tumblers at www.zak.com by using the code CHOOSETOREUSE any time before May 15th.
Choose reusable water bottles and travel mugs, and cut out bottled beverages
Reusable water bottles and travel mugs are easy to find and reuse. This keeps disposable water bottles out of the trash. Many coffee shops offer discounts when you bring your own cup. Another reason to use a reusable cup is you can switch from purchasing beverages to making them at home, so that you’re not using so many single-use containers. My 20oz Alfalfa Tumbler from Zak does an awesome job at keeping my favorite drink cold all day.
Use reusable bags
Reusable tote bags, sandwich bags, produce bags are really common and easy to use. Since you're going to wash your product anyway, you can even skip produce bags. You can make your own reusable bags from old fabric or purchase them. Just make sure to washed or wipe them out between uses. The hardest part is remembering to bring your bags with you and not leave them at home or in the car.
Toss reusable straws or utensils.
Say no to straws when you order a beverage, whether in a restaurant or carryout, If you like to use straws, there are reusable steel, glass, or bamboo options. What about plastic utensils? Try carrying your own for eating on the go, such as a reusable steel or bamboo set.
Stop using plastic and styrofoam food containers.
Food storage containers made of glass or metal are a better way to store food. Glass containers are often microwave and oven-safe, so you don't have extra dishes (or trash) while reheating food. Start the habit to bring glass storage containers when you go out to eat, so you don’t end up carrying leftovers home in a single-use container.
Choose Cone over Cup.
Not only is it more fun, but always choose a cone over a cup with a plastic spoon. Waffle, cake or sugar should be your only decision.
Reuse in kids lunches
Did you know he average 8- to 12-year-old kid throws away about 67 pounds of lunch trash every year? Pack your kids lunches in reusable wrappers made of cloth or beeswax. Have kids can make and decorate their own lunch bags an old jeans leg and add an apple or a banana instead of something wrapped in plastic.
Choose To Reuse Staggering Statistics
- Every minute a million plastic bottles are bought around the world (1)
- Not even half the plastic bottles sold in 2016 were turned in for recycling, and only 7% of those were used to create new bottles (2)
- It takes more than 400 years for plastic to degrade (3)
- By 2025, the ratio of plastic to fish in the ocean could be one to three, and by 2050, it’s expected that the weight of plastics in ocean will surpass the weight of fish in the ocean (4)
- 91% of the 8.3 billion metric tons of plastic that’s been produced has not been recycled according to a study published in late 2018 in the peer-reviewed journal Science Advances.
- Half of all plastics become trash in less than a year, the same study found.
(1) The Guardian; June 28, 2017 (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/28/a-million-a-minute-worlds-plastic-bottle-binge-as-dangerous-as-climate-change)
(2) The Guardian; June 28, 2017 (https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2017/jun/28/a-million-a-minute-worlds-plastic-bottle-binge-as-dangerous-as-climate-change)
(3) National Geographic; December 20, 2018 (https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/07/plastic-produced-recycling-waste-ocean-trash-debris-environment/)
(4) The New Plastics Economy: Rethinking the Future of Plastics, Ellen MacAruthur Foundation, pp 29 (https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/assets/downloads/EllenMacArthurFoundation_TheNewPlasticsEconomy_15-3-16.pdf )
Special Choose to Reuse discount: 20% discount on any Alfalfa tumblers at www.zak.com by using the code CHOOSETOREUSE any time before May 15th.
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