People create 64 tons of waste in a lifetime. A big portion of this waste comes from single use items. Most of these items are made of plastic and are contributing to the plastic crisis we have right now. If you want to save the planet by making easy changes to your daily habits, then keep reading!
The mantra of zero-waste living is to reduce, reuse and recycle. Today, we will be talking about re-using. Have you stopped to think about how many single use items you go through daily? Here's a typical example of our friend Sarah. On the weekends, she likes to go grocery shopping and run errands. She leaves the grocery store with her items in plastic bags. She grabs her favorite daily coffee in a paper cup. She goes home and spills some of that coffee on the counter and cleans it off with paper towels.
This is just one example of the unnecessary waste we may produce in one day. We will be sharing with you a few ways you can make changes to your daily habits that are good for the planet and leave more money in your pocket!
1) Razors
Did you know that disposable razors are good for 3 to 10 shaves? So if you shave 3 times a week, you will go through 4 razors a month. If you spend on average 14$ per pack, you will be spending around 19$ every month or 228$ a year. Not only does it cost about 228$/year to buy disposable razors, but it creates unnecessary plastic waste. Safety razors are a great alternative. They cost about 57$ and last a lifetime. You can buy a box of 100 blades for 12 dollars. Your initial investment will cost you 69$ for about 2 years. And after that, it will cost 6$ a year to shave your legs. If you shave your legs for 50 years in your lifetime, you would be spending 11400 dollars. If you shave your legs with a safety razor, it will cost you 357$ for 50 years. That's 11043$ in savings in a life time! This is proof that protecting the environment does not have to cost you more money. As outlined here, sometimes it does the exact opposite. Check out some razors we found here.
2) Paper towels
The average American family uses two rolls of paper towels per week. Considering that our habits are similar to our neighbors, it is not far fetched to assume that Canadians also use this many. Not only do they pollute water and harm marine life, but they are also harmful to our health. They contain high amounts of BPA, a hormone disruptor responsible for some cancers, and formaldehyde, a known carcinogen . These paper towels contain bleach, and yet are still being used to soak the oil out of fried foods. To protect your health, and the environment, opt for reusable rags such as these to clean anything and everything. Then easily throw them in the wash.
3) Paper floor cleaners
Paper floor cleaners are also another unnecessary expense. Not only do these produce waste, but they also require repurchasing. When you invest in a good mop, it can last you a few years. Not to mention that there is nothing like an old fashion good scrub.
4) Toilet paper
Yes yes we know what you think! Who would want to opt out of toilet paper? Well hear us out. Toilet paper wipes out 27000 trees a day. We throw away 17 billion toilet paper rolls per year. So if you're going to buy toilet paper, opt for recycled toilet paper that is unbleached. You will save trees, and protect your body. And if you're brave, you can have a professional bidet such as this one installed on your toilet. This will help you reduce your toilet paper usage, or eliminate it completely.
5) Pads and tampons
Did you know pads and tampons cause so much pollution? Pads, tampons and their packaging generate over 200 000 tons of waste per year. Tampons also have harmful health effects where they can cause toxic shock syndrome. Moreover, the retained moisture from using bleached disposable pads can lead to recurring yeast infections, and PH imbalances in your sensitive areas. Canadian women spend 65.82 $ a year on average on feminine products. This is what some people refer to as pink tax. Empower your body and the environment by opting for something like a reusable menstrual cup (made of silicone, not plastic!), which can last up to 10 years. And if you prefer pads, there is also the option of using washable cloth pads or period underwear. But make sure you change them frequently!
6) Cups vs tumblers
If you buy a Starbucks coffee everyday, it will average you about 1080$ per year. Or you can make a 20 cent coffee at home, and put it in a reusable jar or tumbler like this. If you like the feeling of splurging on coffee daily, and making a ritual out of coffee shop drive thrus, we understand! You would still be saving 360 paper cups/year from the landfill.
7) Grocery bags
Plastic bags are often unnecessary. Many grocery stores started charging for them to deter customers from buying them. They even started selling eco-friendly reusable grocery bags for a dollar or two. Not only are these bags sturdier than plastic ones (we mean how many times did one of your bags rip wipe open from the weight of its contents? ), but it also prevents many plastic bags from reaching the landfill. According to the Canadian government, Canadians use 15 billion plastic bags every year. This is how many bags we would be preventing from reaching the landfill every year.
So there you have it! Which one of these are you excited to start applying? Let us know in our social media.
With love and compassion,
Team Karunaki