People today create waste at an ever growing rate. It’s a problem that no one person can solve. Instead it is up to each person to do their own part to help minimize the trash and waste we put into our landfills. So I thought today, America Recycles Day, would be the perfect time to put out a blog on some ways companies and people can make an effort to improve our earth and environment.
We all know about the harmful effects plastic has on our environment. There has been a huge effort to minimize straw usage or replacing plastic straws with paper or metal. However straws make up only a percentage of the plastic that is filling landfills and polluting the earth. So it’s no surprise that a lot of the tips are ways to replace plastic with more eco-friendly options. Individuals and businesses for the most part both use pens. Pens are so cheap that they are lost or thrown away at alarming rates and just replaced by another cheap pen that will end up in a landfill or polluting somewhere. One way to fix this is to purchase a refillable pen. These might cost a little more upfront. But at the rate cheap pens break or go missing it will surely save you money in the long run. This is especially pertinent to businesses. Instead of restocking pens all the time, purchase each employee their own metal pen and they can keep that with them and help reduce the amount of pens being thrown out every day.
Where’s all my coffee drinkers at?! Coffee is a staple of almost every working persons morning. And you might think you know where I’m going with this. And while yes getting coffee to go cups is a problem, most people don’t realize those Instant Coffee pods that they use, like Keurig’s K-Cups, are not recyclable nor are they biodegradable. Luckily there are simple solutions to each problem. If you don’t already have an instant coffee maker, purchase one that has a washable brew basket. If you already have one then there are reusable K-Cup filters that you can put your own coffee grounds in and it will work just the same. No as far as the to-go coffee lovers. You can bring your own mug or thermos to any coffee shop and they will fill that for you instead of one of the millions of cups that are thrown away every year.
Another easy switch that has numerous benefits is getting rid of plastic water bottles. The average American spends around $100 on bottled water every year. Some spend a lot more. Getting an eco-friendly refillable water bottle is such an easy and smart solution. It took approximately 17 million barrels of oil to produce the water bottles just to meet the demand in America last year. Oh and let’s not forget how unhealthy it is to drink water out of plastic, especially if you use the same bottle more than once. Plastic releases microplastics into water and it’s estimated that 94% of all bottled and tap water contains microplastics. Please for yourself and the world and your wallet/purse put an eco-friendly reusable water bottle on your next shopping list and stop buying water bottles.
These are a few of the easiest yet most substantial ways to be more eco friendly while also saving money and at times your health. It takes a little extra effort but the results are well worth it. Happy America Recycles Day to the eastern shore and lets start thinking about tomorrow and doing our best to make sure our future generations get to enjoy such a beautiful area like we do.
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