Tag Archives: Sustainability

Affordable Sustainable Home Guide

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How to Make Your Home More Sustainable & Eco-Friendly

Sometimes it can be difficult to know where to start when wanting to make some changes in your home. Whether it’s redesigning your living room or cleaning out your closet, sometimes you need some help with knowing where to start! Fear no more, the Envirojunkies are here to help you make your home more sustainable without feeling overwhelmed and without having to spend a ton of money! 

Kitchen

Your kitchen is one of the most impactful places when it comes to sustainability in the home. There are so many little things that you may not even realize are affecting your carbon footprint in a bad way, but they are easily fixable! Here are some of the top sustainable kitchen tips: 

  1. Do not buy disposables or single-use items. These things include plasticware, throwaway cups/straws, and so on. The best way to keep your kitchen sustainable is to avoid the disposables completely and always use reusable items. Plus, you save money by reusing!
  1. Do not throw away jars or other containers that your food items from the store come in. Hello? Why would you ever throw away jars or other containers that will surely come in handy later?! Always save things like this because they can easily turn into your favorite storage containers! 
  2. Replace your ordinary paper towels with eco-friendly ones. At the end of the day, a paper towel is a paper towel and all kinds do the trick! So, there are plenty of eco-friendly paper towel brands that you can find at your local grocery that will definitely make your kitchen far more sustainable than the ordinary ones ever will! 

Laundry room & Bathroom 

Whether you live alone or live in a  big household, we all feel like doing laundry is such a big part of our routine as we do it so often! This is an obvious reason to make some changes and choose sustainable options when it comes to all things laundry. The same goes for your bathroom, choose the sustainable, eco-friendly products over the others.

  1. Make or use natural laundry detergent. This is so easy to do or find in the store and it really helps to reduce the amount of non-eco-friendly products you use in your home. Plus, natural laundry detergents to the job just as well, if not better! It is also cheaper than buying the fancy detergent so why not?!
  2. Use wool drying balls. These are a great product to use in your laundry room if you are serious about changing things up to be more sustainable! Wool drying balls are better because they do not contain any of the harsh chemicals or toxins that your average dryer sheet does. 
  3. Buy eco-friendly toilet paper and bathroom napkins. Just like the paper towels, eco-friendly toilet paper does the job just as well as the others so why not? 

Overall Household 

These tips apply to places all over your home and they really do make an impact, so get to it! 

  1. Use energy-efficient lighting. Having to replace your lightbulbs in the house is already a pain as they seem to lose their shine so quickly anyway, so why not make the right choice and switch on over to LED lights. They are proven to last longer than other bulbs, making your home way more energy efficient than it would be if you continued to do those switch-outs so often. This is also a great way to save some money! 
  1. Make your own cleaning products or buy eco-friendly ones. Keeping your house tidy certainly requires a lot of product, but why not make your own? Or, another great option is to go ahead and just buy some eco-friendly products. Next time you find yourself in the cleaning aisle of the grocery, grab those eco-friendly products instead of your usual Lysol. Plus, the eco-friendly ones tend to smell better and clean better, so it’s a win-win!
  2. Recycle and reuse. This is obviously a given, but we just wanted to go ahead and remind you just in case! 

Now that you have your easy & affordable guide to a sustainable household, it’s time to get to it! Let us know what tips work for your home and definitely tweet us @envirjunkiess to show us how you’ve made your home more eco-friendly! 

Tags #sustainablehome #greenhomeguide #ecofriendlyhome #sustainabilitytips 

https://thethirty.whowhatwear.com/sustainable-home-tips

https://flygrn.com/blog/sustainable-living-tips

Earth Day 2021: Nature Walk

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Happy 51st Earth Day, Envirojunkies! As we begin to celebrate our beautiful Earth today, let’s take a moment to reflect upon some Earth Day history. Lately our country has felt somewhat divided politically, rarely finding a middle ground on issues. However, Earth Day was conceived as a unified movement made between a Democratic and a Replublican Senator. In 1970, Senator Gaylord Nelson (D) and Senator Pete McCloskey (R), worked together to create a globally recognized holiday to raise awareness and celebrate the Earth. April 22nd, a day in between spring break and finals season, was chosen because student involvement would be at its highest. It wasn’t until 1990 that Earth Day became a global event, allowing environmental issues to finally be recognized in governments around the World. Now, in 2021, over a billion people spread out in over 193 countries will join in the celebrate Earth Day Festivities. Here are some cheap and easy ways to celebrate Earth Day while making an impact. 

Turn Off

Since the pandemic, we are now more than ever engulfed by technology. Most weekdays, I spend around 4 hours on Zoom, and then I check my phone during breaks between classes. After class I leave to babysit, which is the only few hours that I get to spend outside without my phone. When I come home, I am usually so exhausted from the day that I turn on the Tv so I can tune out. This type of routine is so typical for people now, that we don’t realize really how out of touch we are becoming to nature. I cherish those few hours I spend outside just listening to the birds, and feeling the sun and wind on my face. 

This Earth Day, I challenge you to turn off your computer, phone, lights, and fan (if possible) and go outside. If you can, try leaving your phone at home so you can pay attention to all that is around you. Look down and notice the hustle and bustle of the ecosystem we have drifted so far from. Look up to notice all the animals that thrive in the trees. Each time you allow yourself to turn off your devices and tune into nature, the more you will notice and appreciate the ecosystem your community supports.

Tune In 

The term meditation might sound overwhelming for some people. However, meditation has numerous health benefits. Meditation can lower blood pressure, reduce stress, and have a positive impact on your cardiovascular health. Studies have even shown that daily meditation can even improve your mood as much as an antidepressant. Sometimes breathing meditation can be hard when the mind is so chaotic, but here is a way to incorporate meditation into your Earth Day walk. Being mindful of your surroundings while on a walk around the neighborhood IS meditation, and can further your connectedness with nature.

Pick Up

While you’re enjoying this nature walk by really tuning into the present moment, pick up any trash you might see along the way. Once you tune into all that nature has to offer, you will realize how much you were consumed by technology. As humans, we consume, consume, and consume some more.. So give back to our Earth that gives us so much, and pick up even a few pieces of trash along the way. Once you give yourself some responsibility for the up-keep of our Planet, you won’t want to stop! 

Reach out to us on Twitter or Instagram and let us know what you did Earth Day 2021! 

5 Eco Friendly Products You Can Buy Today

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It is no secret that plastic is one of the leading causes for marine pollution. According to an article posted on OurWorldinData.org, the world now produces more than 380 million tons of plastic every year. Most of that plastic ends up as pollutants entering our natural environment and oceans.

This is why it is important to use eco-friendly and reusable products to help slow down the flow of plastic waste. Here is a list of 5 eco-friendly products you can buy today:

Bamboo Cleaning Cloth

LUCKISS bamboo cleaning cloth is a sustainable alternative to using paper towels or cotton cleaning cloths. The cloth is 100% made of bamboo and is naturally absorbent because of the bamboo. You can purchase this cost effective reusable bamboo cleaning cloth here:

Glass Food Storage Containers 

Glass food storage containers are a great way to slow down your plastic usage. These glass containers are microwave friendly, so you won’t have to worry about chemicals with a plastic container. You can purchase a set here:

Reusable Shopping Bag

It is important to own a reusable shopping bag. Reusable shopping bags are more sturdy than the plastic bags you get at the grocery store. You can purchase this special HEB reusable grocery bag of Austin made by a local artist here:

https://www.heb.com/product-detail/h-e-b-austin-artist-reusable-shopping-bag/1965368

Stainless Steel Water Bottle

If you own a reusable metal water bottle you won’t have the need to use as many plastic water bottles. The Hydro Flask will keep your drinks cold or hot for hours. This is a great alternative to drinking plastic water bottles everyday. You can purchase your own Hydro Flask here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07QNTYQL9?tag=bfabby-20&ascsubtag=5300880%2C18%2C29%2Cd%2C0%2C0%2Cgoogle%2C962%3A1%3B901%3A2%3B900%3A2%3B974%3A2%3B975%3A2%3B982%3A4%2C40508%2C0

Bamboo Toothbrush

Another product made of bamboo, these toothbrushes are made of 100% natural sustainable bamboo.It is important to make the switch from a plastic toothbrush to a bamboo one. Over 3.5 million plastic toothbrushes are sold around the world every year. Which is just one part of the dilemma.These toothbrushes are degradable, recyclable and can be reused. Most toothbrushes are made out of plastic, these bamboo toothbrushes are a green way to keep your teeth clean. You can purchase a bamboo toothbrush here: 

These products are all great sustainable and cost effective alternatives to everyday products that otherwise are made of plastic or aren’t reusable. Owning these products truly makes a difference. Small changes to habits lead to big results!

Links

https://ourworldindata.org/plastic-pollution

Reasons to Switch From Plastic to Bamboo Toothbrush

Whatchu’ Drinkin?

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As most of you know, single-use plastic water bottles are a HUGE problem when it comes to sustainability, but let me paint an even better picture for you. It is estimated that over 15 million metric tons of plastic are dumped into our oceans every year. SO much plastic is being dumped that scientists are now finding traces of microplastics in the fish we consume. All human life revolves around the health of our oceans, whether we think it or not. Furthermore, 1 million single-use plastic water bottles are bought every minute in the world. However, less than ⅓ of this plastic will be recycled. It is naive that we assume that because we live in places such as Austin, TX, our plastic won’t end up in our oceans. Here is some advice to inspire the change within yourself! 

Tap Water 

Did you know that bottled water costs over 100 times more to produce than tap water? Well, the consumer must be paying for better quality water, right? Wrong! 25% of all bottled water is just tap water that was put into single-use plastic and sold. Essentially, you are just paying for well-advertised tap water which is costing you more than you think. A person who only buys bottled water spends around $1,095 annually, whereas a tap water drinker will only spend a mere $0.48 per YEAR. Who wouldn’t want over a thousand extra dollars in their pocket by making this simple switch? 

Reusable Plastic Water Bottles

If a person drinks around 4 bottles of water per day, they will waste 1460 single-use plastic bottles in a year. Even if that person only purchased 1 single-use plastic bottle every day, they would still be wasting 365 water bottles a year. A person who uses a reusable plastic bottle every day will not have to throw away one single bottle that entire year. Reusable plastic water bottles are the most cost-effective bottle to purchase since they will be quite a bit more affordable than stainless steel bottles. Reusable plastic bottles are easy to clean, especially since you can see through them it will be easy to spot any areas that need special attention. However, since these bottles are still plastic they are still more likely to end up in landfills and our oceans. First, when it comes to picking the perfect plastic water bottle, be sure to look for bottles that are BPA-free and PET-free. These are harmful chemicals that can leech into your water over time, especially when left out in the sun or a hot car. Second, make sure the bottle you buy is dish-washer-friendly so that it doesn’t warp when subjected to high temperatures. 

Stainless Steel Water Bottles

Stainless Steel water bottles are the BEST option for the environment, and here is why! Stainless steel, unlike plastic, is not porous, which means it will not leak any toxic chemicals into your water, even if subjected to high temperatures. Stainless steel makes these bottles resistant to rust, bacteria, corrosion, and mold too. Furthermore, Stainless Steel water bottles are 100% recyclable and are much more likely to stay out of landfills. These water bottles are also more environmentally friendly to produce than other materials. Although stainless steel bottles are more expensive than reusable plastic bottles, they are much more durable. The only downside to stainless steel bottles is that when they are dropped, they can sometimes dent. However, the benefits outweigh the cons. Make sure that when you are purchasing a metal water bottle it is Stainless Steel, rather than aluminum. Researchers have found that BPA can still exist in Aluminum, so it is best to steer clear of them all together. 

Hopefully, this information will inspire you to make a cost-effective, and environmentally-friendly change in your life! Most of the United States has clean and safe tap water to drink, so finding a filling station near you won’t be a problem. Let us know how your journey to switching from single-use water bottles to reusable ones has impacted your life! 

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!

Water Saving Strategies

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Water usage is often overlooked when considering how to make your lifestyle more sustainable, however, reducing your water usage can save you a considerable amount of money and resources. In 2019, Austin American Statesman published an article that found that the average Austin resident consumed about 120 gallons of water per day. Reducing your daily water usage starts with mindfulness. Taking a little bit of extra time to become mindful of your water habits will allow you to make the most of your water-saving abilities. 

Included below is a water footprint calculator, which helps you analyze your water usage. 

https://waterfootprint.org/en/resources/interactive-tools/personal-water-footprint-calculator/

Sometimes it can be hard to put those statistics into practice, so here are some simple but effective ways to reduce your household water usage! 

Bathroom 

According to Statista, bathrooms take up the largest percentage of water usage in the average household. So, reducing your water usage in the bathroom is the most cost-effective way to reduce your impact. Here are three tips to help you save water. 

  1. Turning off the Tap while brushing your teeth- sinks use 1.5 gallons of water per minute, so turning them off while brushing your teeth can save A LOT of water!
  2. Skip the baths and stick to showers- an average shower uses 25 gallons of water, whereas a bath uses around 75 gallons of water. 
  3. Install water-saving devices in your toilet and shower- Here are two affordable options to reduce your water use for your bathroom: 

(sold on Amazon for $7.99)         (sold on Amazon for $9.99) 

Alternatively to the “Toilet Bank”, you can fill a plastic water bottle with water, or brick and drop it in your toilet to displace the amount of water being used. 

Kitchen

One of the most helpful tips for reducing water consumption in the Kitchen is being mindful of what goes down the drain. All the water (and other liquids/materials) that goes down the drain, is sent to a water treatment facility to be cleaned and used again. Therefore, it is best for the treatment facility, and our bodies to try and limit it to only water being poured down the drain. 

  1. Don’t dispose of medicines, paints, or any other pollutants down the drain- although it may be a liquid, it shouldn’t go into our water systems. 
  2. Scrape your plate- Before washing your dishes, either scrape your plate leftovers into the trash or a composite bin if possible. 
  3. Dishwasher over hand washing- Hand washing can use up to 27 gallons of water, whereas a dishwasher uses around 3 gallons of water per load. 
  4. Plug the sink- If you don’t have a dishwasher, just plug the sink before you wash your dishes. You can use this water to soak the dirty dishes and save a lot of water. 
  5. Thaw food in the refrigerator- Although we have all been in a pinch to thaw meat by running the faucet over frozen goods, it will save gallons of water if you can remember to thaw your meat in the fridge the night before. 

Lifestyle

Lastly, here are a few lifestyle tips that might help you reduce your water usage! 

  1. Purchase eco-friendly cleaning products- Switch to bar soap products. Bar soap has a carbon footprint far less than bottled soap because of the water used to make bottle soap. Bar soap typically has more eco-friendly packaging than the average plastic bottle of liquid soap. Also, avoid using products that contain phosphate. 
  2. Eat less Beef- although eating less meat is sustainable in so many ways, it also helps reduce your individual water consumption. Beef is the most water-intensive meat and uses 15,000 liters of water for 1 kg of meat. 
  3. Switch from Coffee to Tea- a cup of coffee uses 140 liters of water, whereas a cup of tea only uses 34 liters of water. The average cup of coffee has 95mg of caffeine in it, but Yerba Mate tea has 85 mg of caffeine in it, and it has numerous health benefits that coffee does not have. 

Hopefully some of these tips will inspire mindfulness, which will allow you to save money and water! Be the change you want to make for our planet and your pocket. 

Make sure to tweet us @envirojunkiess and share with us what you think about reducing your water usage! 

Citations: 

https://www.epa.gov/watersense/start-saving

https://www.epa.gov/watersense/bathroom-faucets#:~:text=Specification-,Faucet%20Flows,per%20minute%20without%20sacrificing%20performance.

https://www.thespruce.com/water-saving-devices-instayourselfll–4096495

https://www.statesman.com/news/20191223/conserversquos-word-austin-per-person-water-use-hits-historic-low#:~:text=Austin%20Water%20officials%20tallied%202019,more%20than%20548%20square%20miles.

https://www-statista-com.ezproxy.stedwards.edu/statistics/1175087/residential-end-uses-of-water-in-the-united-states/

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/

Learn About Recycling! How to Help with Plastic

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http://greenpagebd.net/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/87514.ngsversion.1465407024514.adapt_.1900.1.jpg

Plastic is material used worldwide and there is about 260 million tons of plastic that the world produces each year. Most plastic is not biodegradable (meaning, not being able to naturally decompose to an environmentally safe condition overtime). This is because plastic that is non-biodegradable is cheap to make and companies choose a cheaper option vs a more eco friendly option to produce. Going back to the 260 million tons of plastic the world makes, 79 percent is accumulating in landfills, ending up at the ocean and eventually sinking to the bottom where it damages sealife and the seafloor. 

What are Plastic Identification Codes?

How can you help? I’m so glad you asked! You can reduce how much plastic is going to landfills and ending up in the ocean by learning your plastic identification codes! On the bottom of most plastic packaging there is what is called plastic identification code that helps consumers be able to identify if what they bought is recyclable or not. Below, I have an image that explains what each number means, what products each number is usually on and if the plastic is recyclable or not. Screenshot it and use it everyday! Send it to family and friends! Teach people around you about plastic identification codes and let’s make a difference together!

The Numbers on Plastic Bottles: What do Plastic Recycling Symbols Mean? | Recycle symbol, Recycling information, Recycling

How do I use the Plastic Identification Code Chart?

Easy. All you have to do is start with the product you have and compare it to the product examples listed on the chart. From that point, once you have identified a similarity, confirm the symbol that you see on the bottom of your plastic container to the chart and see if what you have is recyclable or not. If I’m losing you, let me give you an example. Let’s say I have a gas container that I am trying to recycle and I noticed that it is listed on the chart under the column called product examples. From that point I need to see if my gas container is indeed the recycle kind so I then look at the bottom can for a triangle with the number 7… Ah I found a triangle and it says 7. Yay! After this the last thing I need to do is look at the recycle curbside column. If it says yes, my gas container is recyclable and if it says no, my gas container is not recyclable and it belongs in the trash… Whooohoo I looked at the last column and it is a yes! I am going to put it in my recycle bin and take it out on Saturday for recycling pick up in my neighborhood. On with recycling!

Where Can I Recycle?

You can recycle just about anywhere in Austin.

  1. You can recycle at your home, ask your fellow neighbor what day is recycle day.
  2. You can recycle at a local drop off station. Austin, Tx has many a drop off and recycle locations. To name a few, there are
    1. 2514 Business Center Dr, Austin, TX 78744. You just have to schedule a drop off time on their website https://austintexas.gov/department/recycle-reuse-drop-center
    2. 1602 Bench Mark Dr, Austin, Texas 78728. You can check out their website to see what else they take besides plastic at https://htownrecycling.com/
  3. You can recycle at your schools located in Austin, many campuses have recycling bins on campus that you can throw your recycling bottles in

Tag Us When You Recycle and Follow For More Facts About Recycling!

References:

http://www.bioplastics.guide/ref/fossil-based/non-biodegradable#:~:text=The%20term%20non%2Dbiodegradable%20describes,low%20cost%2C%20versatility%20and%20durability

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F701928291897773969%2F&psig=AOvVaw1jdo8LHtdIK_0xMIuliuIj&ust=1615386515504000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CA0QjhxqFwoTCLDSm–1o-8CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAn

https://www.nationalgeographic.org/article/whopping-91-percent-plastic-isnt-recycled/#:~:text=The%20vast%20majority%E2%80%9479%20percent,the%20oceans%2C%20the%20final%20sink.

When The Mermaids Cry: The Great Plastic Tide

What You Can do to Reduce Your Austin Carbon Footprint

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 Reduce your Austin carbon footprint.  

The impact of climate change is enormous worldwide, and nothing can be done unless a big Institution such as the UN does something about it. The Paris agreement is a good example. However, there are ways to reduce your carbon footprint in Austin as an individual.   

Drive less and ride a bike more.  

Giving up using a car for transportation can save 2.6 tons of carbon dioxide annually. Also, using the public transportation system such as trains and buses is very efficient. However, riding a bike is the best way to commute. Luckily, Austin is among the top bike-friendly cities in the USA. Besides, walking is not just exercise; it reduces 75% of carbon emission then driving for the same distance. Biking and walking do not only reduce carbon emission but its open space and encourage others to do the same.   

Be a fan of local products and shops.   

The more we support our communities is, the more we reduce our carbon footprint. For example, eating locally grown food can save 1,000 miles worth of carbon emissions per year. When we shop from local stores and drink local coffee, we do not require our needs to be shipped from hundreds of miles away. For instance, we should buy our coffee from a local coffee shop instead of Starbucks. Fortunately, Austin has so many local stores.   

What about our homes? 

Every day we have habits that would reduce our carbon footprint. To know these habits, we should know what we spend energy on in our homes. The average American spends 25% of energy on heating spaces, 13% on heat water, 11% on cooling, and the rest on appliances. To reduce the carbon footprint, we should consider the following:

1- Replace lights: LED lights use 85% less power and last up to 25 times longer

2- Turn down the heat  

3- Turn down the water heater  

4- Turn off lights and appliances when we do not use them

Reducing our carbon footprint is our responsibility as individuals, and it only needs our awareness.   

Citation  

Reducing Your Transportation Footprint

https://www.nytimes.com/guides/year-of-living-better/how-to-reduce-your-carbon-footprint

How COVID-19 Taught us to be Sustainable

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How COVID19 Taught Us To Be Sustainable  

Nature’s comeback and how 2020 somehow forced us to live sustainably.

There is no doubt that 2020 was hard for many people. Out of the many burdens COVID-19 has brought upon us, it has also shown us how to live sustainably. There is a silver lining in how we changed our lifestyles because of the pandemic. Sustainability is a way society can continue to grow and prosper while the Earth does as well. Covid has shown us that nature can return to form, and humans are capable of change.

To comply with pandemic guidelines, we were forced to change the norm. Here are a couple of ways we made change. 

Less Carbon Emissions

Photo featured on CNN’s website shows a before and after the coronavirus of Los Angeles’s skyline.

One thing employees universally have a distaste for is staff meetings. The rise of remote learning and work has significantly improved the air quality around the world. According to a study led by Pachama, a climate satellite monitoring company, 20% less generation from power stations, 72% lower particulate emissions, and 50% lower carbon monoxide. This shows that we can improve our quality of life on Earth if we come together. Instead of driving your car across town for a meeting that was shorter than the ride there, we use Zoom now which saves us gas while also helping the Earth.

Focus on Reusable Products

Photo by Erin Clark of the Boston Globe

At the start of the pandemic, we faced a shortage of masks and medical gloves. The shortage showed that medical equipment was not sustainable. To solve the issue, we made reusable masks and gowns by cloth. This same effort for other reusable products will make a long-lasting impact on the planet.

Essentially, if the same urgency and policy is used from the pandemic to fight climate change, we have a shot to leave a better world for the future. That is the duty we as individuals. 

Tags: Sustainability, Environmental Awareness, COVID-19, Carbon emissions. 

References: 

https://www.bbc.com/news/science-environment-51944780

https://www.hawaiianelectric.com/hawaiian-electric-sees-drop-in-demand-during-pandemic

https://pachama.com/

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/07/us/los-angeles-pollution-clean-air-coronavirus-trnd/index.html