Tag Archives: Reduce

Apps For Environmentalism

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The number of people worldwide who use smartphone technology is continuously increasing, now there are close to 3 billion users worldwide. More smartphones mean more opportunities for App development. There are a seemingly endless number of apps available to users, whether you have an iPhone or Android. Now, in the palm of your hands are many opportunities to step-up your environmental impact through these new apps. Here is a list of three great Earth-saving Apps and what makes them worth the download! 

Earth Hero: Climate Change  

Earth Hero connects you with reliable climate data from around the world, as well as practical ways to take individual action on the Climate Crisis. Earth Hero has easy signup, which took me less than 30 seconds to register for. When you first access the App you will answer five questions that give you an estimate of your carbon footprint. Once you’ve answered all the questions, you will see a breakdown of your carbon emissions compared to the U.S and the rest of the world. It’s time for change! You can set personal climate goals and track your progress on reducing your emissions. Can’t think of any climate goal? Well, don’t worry because Earth Hero Provides hundreds of actions you can apply to your life. 

Brightly: Eco-Community

The Brightly App is another great app for sustainable living. The Brightly app is unique because of its interactive nature. Brightly connects you with thousands of other environmentalists who are interested in a wide range of sustainable topics. You can meet people through direct messaging them, or you can join one of the hundreds of group chats that are available based on your interest. For example, I love being a plant mom, so I joined a group forum called “Plant Lovers”. Brightly also has a tab for all current climate news and a tab for sustainable searching by topic. Topics include; shopping guides, home and lifestyle, fashion, beauty and wellness, food and kitchen, and environmental podcasts.  If you’re looking to join a global community of environmentalists then this is the app for you! 

My Little Plastic Footprint (MLPF)

It is MLPF’s mission to help you improve your plastic footprint by going on a “plastic diet”. The world consumes too much plastic, but you have the opportunity to reduce your use of plastic. MLPF starts by calculating your Plastic Mass Index (PMI), which is based on the number of plastics you consume, the size of those items, the frequency of their use, the probability of that plastic ending up in the environment, and the availability of alternative products. By using this app, you can find alternatives to your plastic products, and educate yourself by taking quizzes that help educate you on the uses of plastics and how to reduce that use. For example, Did you know that you can easily make your own deodorant? No?  Me either, before taking the MLPF bathroom quiz. I encourage you to download the MLPF app and discover all the easy and fun ways to go on a “plastic diet”. 

Now making an individual impact on the Climate Crisis is even easier through the use of smartphone technology. Hopefully, one, if not all of these apps interest you enough to download. Each of these apps has such valuable information at your fingertips. Download now and be the change! Tag @envirojunkiess on Twitter and let us know about your environmental journey!

Life After The Blue Bin

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How your recyclables are reused, reduced, and recycled to remake other things.

Have you ever asked yourself, “well, im recycling but I have no idea what they are used for once they make it to the recycling plant…” Here’s the short answer, Recycling truly does our environment wonders. The simple reason for this is because by recycling, we are providing a way to reuse the same exact components needed to continue making certain things, rather than creating an extra amount of product just because we chose to throw it in the trash instead. 

Why is recycling so good for the environment? Recycling is important because we are reducing how much excess waste that we are throwing away. What would be the point if all we did was just continue to make plastics, cans, etc. and continuously throw them into the trash that then eventually makes its way to landfills, dumps, or the ocean, as we previously learned on Tuesday.  

Avoid making a new “batch” 

Recycling allows goods to be remade without having to make a whole new “batch” of the original supplies. But, that is certainly not all. There are so many things that we are able to make out of the common recyclables, so why wouldn’t you want to contribute!?

These are just some of the things that come from your recyclables: 

Many recyclables are used to make jackets. You know that polyester lining in your coats? Ya, this can be made by recycled plastic bottles! 

While cars seem to be all heavy, industrial, metal, that is certainly not the case. Little do you know, a lot of your car parts are actually often made of recycled bottle caps and other metal like containers! These recyclables are mostly used to make parts such as wheel liners, seat cushions, and splash guards. Pretty neat right? 

I think that we can all say that we’ve had our fair share of fun at the playground when we were younger, right? Well guess what – playground equipment such as slides, swings, and other similar equipment is made out of your recycled milk jugs! Yep, milk jugs! The majority of that plastic-like material you find on the playground is made of high density polyethylene, which is the same as that of milk jugs. 

One of the more basic items made from recyclables are toothbrushes. The plastic handle part is made from recycled yogurt cups! Do not worry though, the bristles are new!

So, our recyclables really do contribute to the creation of many things, some random and some are just the average good! Either way, we must continue to recycle because it truly does make a difference and allows us to be useful rather than wasteful. Keep it up y’all! 

Make sure to tweet us @envirojunkiess and share with us what other things are able to be reused, reduced, and recycled to make new things! 

Citations: 

https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/71088/15-surprising-things-are-made-recycled-materials

https://www.moneycrashers.com/what-to-recycle-list-recyclable-items-materials/