@brian_yuri
I don’t know about you guys, but I am feeling the pressure (big time) to get my act together and pump the breaks on my use of plastic as well as decrease the amount of garbage I produce as a human. I can confirm that Michelle shares these sentiments.
“Every year, 8 million metric tons of plastics enter our ocean on top of the estimated 150 million metric tons that currently circulate our marine environments. Whether by errant plastic bags or plastic straws winding their way into gutters or large amounts of mismanaged plastic waste streaming from rapidly growing economies, that’s like dumping one New York City garbage truck full of plastic into the ocean every minute of every day for an entire year! And that much plastic is bound to have an impact on ocean ecosystems.” – oceanconservancy.org
The truth is, our beautiful home planet is in distress. Whether we want to admit or not, planet earth is getting its ass kicked by humans, and it’s not ok.
I truly feel like a total jerk every time I open up my garbage to toss in yet another handful of waste. It’s exhausting how much garbage our little home of two creates. We “recycle”, but the question is, does the city recycle our recycling?
And then there are the folks who open their car window and toss fast food out as if the expressway is also a personal garbage dump. This past Spring, after the snow melted, Chicago’s main highway, 290, was littered and I mean LITTERED with trash. There was no green grass in sight on either side of the road.
Recently, I have been working on an initiative to eliminate plastic cutlery from our Medmen store. Now that I work in a retail setting, I have never been so woke when it comes to how much waste consumerism produces…it’s astonishing.
More and more patients are bringing in their own bags for medicine as there is just no need to collect five hundred red Medmen bags that can’t be recycled. I wish I could give free cannabis to those who use reusable bags. Bless their hearts.
The good news is, there are really simple, everyday ways to change our behaviors when it comes to waste. It’s just about making the initial efforts to do our part.
I think it’s imperative, as inhabitants of this planet, to ask ourselves:
What am I doing to help save the earth???
Here are some items to help get you started. Trust me, the next time you eat lunch at work and don’t throw out your plastic fork because you used a reusable one – you’ll feel like part of the solution, not the problem.
*I want to preface this with, yes, you’ll need to be that person who carries your sh*t around with you as you put forth this effort to help our planet. It’s cool, be that person.
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I am obsessed with my stainless steel straw. I keep one at work and enjoy my morning Trader Joe’s iced coffee while using one. Love the little containers these come in.
Love this idea for a straw alternative when it comes to the little ones.
We received this Yeti in our recent Mexico wedding welcome gift bag – let’s just say, mine goes everywhere with me. It is actually huge which is great because it keeps me drinking a ton of H20. Ps. It fits in your standard car cup holder. Hooray!
Here’s a beauty of a bottle if you’re looking for something a bit sleeker.
My hygge guru, Jenna, introduced me to this type of cutlery a few years back. It does the job and doesn’t add to the shit show of plastic entering our oceans.
Here is the perfect biodegradable cutlery for your next party. Plus, it’s great way to set an example in front of your closest peeps to get them on board with saving the planet.
Michelle brought these Swedish reusable/washable towels to my attention. The llamas and terracotta colors add such a zen vibe to any kitchen. The kiddos will love them too.
Say goodbye to your plastic baggies and hello to these resusable snack bags. These are gamechangers for your lunch preparation.
What a way to care for your pretty face while thinking about mother nature too.
I have not yet invested in these partially because we don’t use plastic wrap in our home. However, I will be getting an order to help reduce my use of tin foil.
Picking up poop with an ethical twist.
Take home your produce, not in plastic, but in these fabulous little mesh bags.
Get em’ and keep them in your car. Once you hop into this habit, you won’t turn back.
The Perfect Farmer’s Market Mesh Tote
A mesh bag for the farmer’s market will let everyone know what amazing produce and treats you picked up in the park.
Love a bag that looks like a lunch bags we had back in the day for school lunches. #flashback
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Let me know what else I should be doing to help reduce waste and use less plastic.
Mother Nature needs us real bad right now, people.
XO, Lauren
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