Environmental Choices

THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF ENVIRONMENTALLY CONSCIOUS CHOICES THAT COME UP FREQUENTLY IN EVERYDAY LIFE AND/OR ARE ABLE TO BE MADE RIGHT FROM HOME.

“As organic beings on this Earth, we all leave a footprint. All we can really do is decide how to walk.”

Sea Turtle Eating Plastic

It’s hard to find an example that captures the epitome of our consumer culture better than single-use plastics. These are defined as any plastic items that are intended to only be used once before throwing away or recycled. Some common ones are cigarette butts, plastic bags, plastic containers, plastic lids, styrofoam, to-go containers, etc. Pretty self-explanatory, right? Well, these tools are proving to be quite the opposite of “convenient” when it comes to being stewards of our planet. Studies by the U.N. Environmental Report that over 90% of plastics do not get recycled and end up in landfills, our oceans, and waterways, being incinerated, or littered. As plastic decomposes, it does not biodegrade but breaks down into smaller fragments called microplastics. The full decomposition process can take thousands of years. In the meantime, it contaminates our water and soil. The toxic chemicals used to manufacture plastic get transferred to animal tissue, eventually entering the human food chain. Plastic bags and straws are regularly mistaken for food and once consumed can block the stomachs of animals. Styrofoam products are toxic if ingested and can damage nervous systems, lungs, and reproductive organs. Long story short, for many animal species (including humans), single-use plastics are a nightmare.

Unfortunately, the world is currently using more plastic than ever. According to Global Citizen, plastic production has more than tripled since the 90s and more than half the world’s plastic has been produced since 2003. Around 150 million tonnes of plastic are currently floating in our ocean, contributing to a giant garbage patch between Hawaii and California that is twice the size of Texas! The Canadian Government estimates that 8 million tons of plastic enter our oceans each year. To put that into perspective, that is like dumping one garbage truck full of plastic into the ocean every minute. If this continues, plastic could outweigh fish in our oceans as early as 2050. If we don’t take action now, the amount of plastic in our oceans is estimated to triple within a decade. These are numbers our planet simply cannot afford.

However, there is some good news. There is something we can do about it! And it doesn’t take a degree in Environmental Science, a position of power, or a major inconvenience to get it done. All it takes is awareness and action to avoid single-use plastics in your everyday life! Here are some ideas:

Use cloth or reusable shopping bags instead of plastic bags at the grocery store
Use reusable Tupperware instead of plastic sandwich bags

Bring your own coffee mugs, and avoid establishments that don’t offer non-plastic options. Or opt for “for here” options or regular mugs, dishes, and cutlery
Avoid non-recycled plastic bottles and plastic straws
Support efforts to reduce our dependence on single-use plastics. Examples are plastic bans and levies on shopping bags

Recycle as much as possible — and support establishments that do the same
Buy items in bulk to reduce plastic packaging
Bring your own take-out containers, or support establishments that use recyclable takeout options
Be informed — get to know what is and isn’t recyclable in your town/city/area
Spread the awareness — help people understand the importance of cutting back on single-use plastics!

By doing your part to cut down on plastic waste, you are preventing further damage to our environment, while helping to keep our wild lands and waters pristine. It’s going to take a collective effort of many to tackle this harrowing issue, and “Zero Waste” or “Zero Plastic” movements are popping up all over the world. Together, we can help stop the plastic problem from getting worse.

DIETARY CHOICES

As humans, we have a very special and complex relationship with the food we eat. Dietary choices can be subtle yet ubiquitous and are one of the biggest contributing factors to both individual health and the health of the environment. Researchers at the University of Minnesota and Oxford University have released an in-depth study regarding these choices and their effects on humans and the environment. The results are interesting and (if looked at from the right perspective) hopeful for a healthy future all around.

The study linked health outcomes and environmental effects to various different food groups and then compared the two data sets. There are various factors that go into determining the environmental impact of food production, including water consumption, pollution due to fossil fuel usage, animal methane, effluent waste, acidification, and land consumption. These have all been considered and the results show that, in general, meat products cost a lot more for the environment than non-meat products. Red meat is by far the worst (around 35x more damaging than vegetables per serving), with chicken and fish falling somewhere in between. However, the type of meat is not the only factor. For example, buying a steak from your local rancher will have less of an environmental impact than buying chicken nuggets from McDonald’s, if McDonald’s fed those chickens with feed grown in the Amazon. In order to be an environmentally conscious meat eater, it is important to take careful consideration regarding both the type AND the quality of meat you are eating, which relates to how the animals themselves are raised.

When it comes to the health impacts of these same food groups, that is where the silver lining can be found. Overwhelmingly, the same foods that are good for the environment turn out to be good for human health too. A true win-win situation. The graph to the left shows where the various food groups fall in regard to these two factors.

In conclusion, the same dietary changes that could help reduce the risk of diet-related diseases could also help meet international sustainability goals. Unfortunately, the trend is not in our favor, nor the favor of the planet. More and more people are transitioning to foods that are bad for them and the environment. Reversing this trend and instead increasing consumption of whole grains, fruits, vegetables, nuts, legumes, fish/chicken, and vegetable/olive oil would have multiple health and environmental benefits globally. Public and private solutions alike could help shift food consumption toward healthier and more environmentally sustainable outcomes.

Read the full study here.

Two additional dietary considerations:

Processed Foods – To put it simply, processed foods require more energy to produce and package than do whole foods, causing additional pollution to the environment. Not to mention, they are generally much less healthy for you overall.

Locally Sourced Foods – Locally sourced refers to food that is grown or raised locally. The closer the food is grown, the less transportation is required. Transportation has proven to be a major factor in the environmental impact of food production due to fossil fuel pollution. Hence, there is a need for smaller local farms to supply the local community with food. As a consumer, you can cut back on your environmental footprint by eating such locally sourced foods, while supporting small, local businesses at the same time.

U.K. landfill, largely composed of recyclable materials.

RECYCLING

We’ve all been told that recycling is important. But how much of a difference does it really make? In short, it can make a huge difference both economically and environmentally. Luckily, through advances in recycling technology, it is easier than ever to recycle. However, there are certain limitations that may not be so obvious, which can disrupt the process. For example, plastic grocery bags should not be recycled, as they can damage the machines used to process plastic recycling due to the bags being so thin. Another example is that residual food waste left in otherwise recyclable materials can actually cause more harm than good. Food waste taints batches of recycling, making them less valuable, and in some cases, ruin them completely. This is not to deter anyone from recycling. These are the most common issues, and the benefits are extensive when done correctly. For example, one recycled aluminum can save the same amount of energy as running a TV for 3 hours!

For more information about the benefits, rules, and all-around process of recycling, visit Waste Management’s Think Green section on their website, which contains a wealth of valuable information.

TRANSPORTATION

The environmental impact of transport is significant. Transportation requires a lot of energy and most of this energy is obtained by burning fossil fuels, thus releasing greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. This creates air pollution and is a major contributor to global warming through the emission of carbon dioxide. Keeping in mind that energy use and emissions vary largely within different modes of transportation, the general consensus is as follows for green transportation:

Human Power > Mass Transit > Personal Vehicles > Airplanes

Factors that play a role in energy efficiency within these modes of transportation include technology, size, number of passengers, operator efficiency, etc. In certain cases, the above consensus may not be correct. For example, a bus carrying only a few passengers may be less efficient than a personal vehicle if that vehicle is a motorcycle or a car that has fantastic fuel efficiency or is carpooling. Fortunately, there are now more options than ever for people to make environmentally conscious decisions when it comes to transportation.

Some cool ideas:

Walk, skate, or ride a bike! This option is the absolute best if you can swing it. You are not only reducing your ecological footprint by a huge amount and not spending a dime on fuel, but you are also doing something healthy! A true win-win-win situation. The obvious setbacks of this transportation method are the time and effort needed to get places. However, with a little time management and motivation, we can travel our way into a greener future!
Consider the fuel efficiency of the vehicles you buy! The spectrum of fuel efficiency for personal vehicles is very wide. Many people rightfully need personal vehicles that have low fuel efficiency for reasons surrounding the utility of the vehicle (towing, extra space, off-roading, etc.). However, a very large number of people only use their vehicles for personal travel. For this reason, we encourage readers to carefully consider their personal needs surrounding a vehicle’s utility to make the most environmentally and financially responsible decision they can. After all, the less gas you burn, the less gas you buy!
Look into local mass transportation! With new technology emerging, mass transit is safer, more efficient, and faster than ever! Look into local options to cut back on your footprint, save money at the gas station, and provide more time for yourself since you won’t be driving! It seems like mass transportation is the way of the future, so why not hop on the train now? Literally.
Ride into the future! There is a whole plethora of cool new products coming out that allow for more “green” transportation. For example, many cities offer electric scooters that allow for easy and quick inner-city transportation for a small fee. Other options are cool new hybrid technologies such as electric bicycles/tricycles, which may surprise you with how quickly you can get around without using fossil fuels! The options just keep on coming.
Carpool and think minimalistic! With a little forethought, you can organize carpools that save money and gas, and cut back on fossil fuel emissions. Similarly, organizing your day and considering the most efficient use of your transportation can make a big difference!

HOME DESIGN/IMPROVEMENT PROJECTS

When it comes to your home, there are various ways to save energy and money by making improvements and environmentally-conscious decisions. Your household energy use and energy bill alike can be minimized by projects that improve efficiency in the following areas:

Heating and Cooling
Weatherizing: Air Sealing, Insulation, Moisture Control, Ventilation
Design: Windows, Doors, Skylights, etc.
Landscaping

For more detailed information on these projects, their potential savings, and step-by-step guides on how to get them done, visit the U.S. Energy Department’s website on do-it-yourself energy-saving projects here.

Zeroscaping can provide your yard with a beautiful, more natural landscape. This will save you money in the long run, and cut back on unnecessary environmental inputs such as watering large lawns in arid climates.

COMPOSTING

Composting is very easy and can benefit both your yard and your carbon footprint! Compost is organic material that can be added to soil to help plants grow. All compost requires 3 basic ingredients. Browns (dead leaves, branches, etc.), Greens (grass clippings, vegetable/fruit scraps, coffee grounds, etc.), and water. Green and Brown ingredients are simply put into a pile rather than being thrown away and are mixed together and kept moist with water. Over time, the pile breaks down into nutrient-rich organic material that is ready to give life again in your own yard/garden! Benefits of composting include:

Enriches soil
Reduces the need for chemical fertilizers
Encourages the production of beneficial bacteria and fungi
Reduces methane emissions from landfills (lowering your carbon footprint!)

For detailed information on how to compost at home and a list of what to compost and what not to compost, visit the EPA webpage on composting here.

LIGHT BULBS

When it comes to lighting, LED seems to have a bright future. Although they have a higher up-front cost than traditional incandescent lights, they have a much longer bulb life (~25x longer) and consume much less energy (~75-80%). This means that in the long run, they will actually save you money while reducing your environmental footprint at the same time. As technology improves, these bulbs are only going to get cheaper and more efficient: a true win-win situation. For more information on LED bulbs and a specific breakdown of how much money and energy they can save, visit the U.S. Energy Department’s webpage on LEDs, here.

GROCERY BAGS

Reusable grocery bags are self-explanatory. They are inexpensive and can be found at nearly any grocery store. Reusable bags allow shoppers to help the environment by reducing energy used for production, as well as reducing plastic pollution. According to research conducted by the EPA, somewhere between five hundred billion and one trillion disposable bags are used each year around the world. Plastic bags, while only used for an average of about 12 minutes, remain in landfills, oceans, and other places for thousands of years. These plastic bags degrade the beauty of our planet, directly harm many animals that come in contact with them, deteriorating ecosystems, and can even cause indirect harm to human health as plastics permeate their way through the food chain. Here are some additional tips on how you can help reduce the use of single-use plastic grocery bags.

Use reusable shopping bags!!

Find stores that offer credit for using reusable grocery bags. They exist!

If you have any plastic bags at home, reuse them.

Educate yourself and others on the harm plastic bags are causing our planet, and how easy it is to avoid them.

HOMEMADE ALL-NATURAL CLEANSERS

The vast majority of cleaning products that can be found in stores have harmful toxins in them. Many have a staggering amount of chemicals that can be dangerous to people and the environment alike, even when used properly. Cleaning products are washed down our drains and pollute groundwater and waterways, despite the best efforts of wastewater treatment plants. Luckily, there is an alternative to cleaning your house that doesn’t involve toxin-loaded products. Companies like Seventh Generation sell environmentally friendly cleansers and truly walk the talk when it comes to creating “green” products. However, you can also make all-natural cleaning products at home for everything you need to clean in your house from the kitchen to the laundry room and everywhere in between! Many of these cleansers include white vinegar and/or baking soda, as well as essential oils for a pleasant odor. They are simple, cheap, yet tried and true solutions for cleaning your home. For an informed recipe guide on making these household cleansers yourself, go here.

AT-HOME RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS

Renewable energy systems can be set up to power some or all of your electricity needs right at home. The process includes analyzing your existing electricity use, looking at local codes and requirements, deciding between operating your system on or off the existing electric grid and understanding different technology options. The most used technologies are small solar electric systems, small wind electric systems, micro-hydropower systems, and small hybrid electric systems (solar and wind). Technology in this area is advancing rapidly, making it easier and cheaper than ever to generate and store your own energy. There are a few substantial benefits of setting up these kinds of systems, including: taking care of the environment, not relying on the electric grid to get power (being off the grid), and long-term money saving. While it does cost more money upfront to get these kinds of projects set up, you can save money in the long term due to your power bill decreasing or disappearing completely. In fact, in some cases, you can sell excess power that you aren’t using for your own home back into the grid and get paid by the power company. For more information and specifics about setting up at-home renewable energy systems, visit the U.S. Department of Energy’s webpage on the subject, here.

PRESCRIPTION DRUG DISPOSAL

The contamination of the world’s water supply due to improper disposal of pharmaceuticals is a reality. There is genuine concern for the health of both humans and aquatic organisms, as these chemicals have the potential to cause biological harm even at extremely low levels. Examples of these damaging chemicals include antibiotics, sex hormones, anticonvulsants, and mood stabilizers just to name a few. Unfortunately, it is hard to avoid exposure. Most bottled water companies do not typically test or treat for pharmaceuticals, and home filtration systems were not made to filter these chemicals out either. On the bright side, more and more pharmacies are responding to these kinds of findings and the demand of customers by offering eco-friendly and safe options for the disposal of unused medication. Chances are, your pharmacy will happily take any unused prescription medication off your hands to dispose of in a safe way!

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

While these are some great ideas on how you can start living greener, healthier, and wealthier, there are countless opportunities in everyday life for being a steward to your planet. It can be as simple as using the stairs instead of an elevator or turning off unneeded lights around the house. Living this way is an awareness born from compassion and wisdom, and it feels good to be aware. We encourage our readers, those of us who truly want to live differently, and create a different world, to practice being aware of the choices you make and the impact they have on the rest of the planet. To live consciously and out of compassion is at once liberating and inspirational. So, hop on the GreenVibe, and let’s make this a better world, together.