Many American citizens create waste and throw trash away like it’s nothing. Once it’s out of sight, it’s out of mind. The problem with this is that our landfills are overflowing, and the earth is struggling to handle the piles of garbage we’re creating. More and more people are participating in disposal methods that can help the environment, such as recycling and composting, but there are other ways we can address waste. Keep reading to learn about some creative ways to cut down on waste and live better.
Make Your Own Clothes
The textile industry is the second largest producer of pollution in the U.S. If we can take steps to combat that pollution, we should. Protecting the planet is one of the many reasons why you should consider making your own clothes. Doing so also allows you to get the exact clothing items you want without participating in fast fashion. While making your own clothes may be a time-consuming way to cut back on textile pollution, it’s certainly the most effective. However, if you don’t know how to sew, or you’re still developing your skills, you can always focus on repairing the clothes you already have. You can also shop primarily at second-hand stores.
Change How You Shop
Many of us don’t realize just how much waste and pollution we create when we grocery shop. When we shop at large stores that bring in pristine produce from afar and use plastic bags, we’re encouraging the food industry to continue these trends that hurt the earth. We need to change how we shop. Firstly, we encourage you to try your best to shop locally, both to help boost your local economy and cut down on transportation pollution. Try to bring a reusable bag, too, when you grocery shop, either locally or at larger stores. And bring home the fresh pieces of produce that don’t look perfect—they’ll still taste the same!
Take Cooking Lessons
Food waste isn’t just a problem with large stores, it’s also a problem for many households. While the recycling and composting we mentioned above can help combat your personal food waste, learning how to cook can also help you cut down on waste. As you take cooking lessons or just learn on your own, you can figure out how to incorporate food scraps into your meals, so you don’t even have to carry anything to the compost pile. While you can’t use every food scrap you create, learning how to cook better will still help you cut down on waste.
Some of the best creative ways to cut down on waste and live better are making your own clothes, changing how you shop, and learning how to cook. These strategies will allow you to be creative, exercise critical thinking, and cut down on your waste while sending a message to larger, wasteful industries. Continue to learn how you can better yourself and help the planet by visiting our website.