Local Produce Vs. Stores
Locally produced food is an essential part of a sustainable lifestyle, and it has numerous community, environmental, and personal benefits. Over the last few years, we’ve seen how food supply chains can easily be broken down during times of trouble (the pandemic), and this is why opting for locally grown food is a great option. Not only will it empower the local economy, but it will also cut down on emissions and fossil fuels.
Check out the produce delivery services that are available in your area, or see if there’s a farmers market in your area.
Reusable Vs. Single-Use
According to a 2021 study, humans have produced over 8 billion tons of plastic and recycled less than 10% of it. Additionally, 80% of tap water samples contain microplastic, which is significant because that causes damage to organ function, inflammation, immune and endocrine disruption, as well as other health risks.
So, if you’re ready to cut down on plastic use, the first thing you can start doing is opting for reusable products. Examples of this include: reusable coffee cups, hydro flasks instead of water bottles, reusable cutlery sets, glass containers for food instead of plastic ones, toothpaste in a jar, menstrual cups, metal razors, etc.
Recycled Clothing Vs. Fast Fashion
According to a 2020 study, the fashion industry makes over 90 million tons of waste per year and uses 79 trillion liters of water. Additionally, retailers like Nike, Burberry, Cartier, H&M, and Urban Outfitters have been called out in multiple media outlets like HuffPost, for destroying unsold inventory. This practice is used typically to artificially maintain scarcity and keep product costs high.
You don’t need to give up shopping as a whole, but instead start with investing in sustainable clothing brands that are more aligned with the health of the planet, or try thrifting, you never know what gems you’ll find, and as a bonus, you’ll be making a small, but powerful impact.
