It's a hard pill to swallow, but we are living on a deteriorating planet.
So far in 2019, I have seen more love and compassion for Earth than I have seen in my 18 years on this planet. However, in our everyday life, there are still mistakes made that we cannot continue to make excuses for.
1. Start with your parents.
The young and revolutionary environmentalist, Greta Thunberg, said if you want to start a movement, start with your family. Your family is already the closest group of people to you. Encouraging your family members to make more sustainable choices, like recycling properly and reducing waste, is a great first step towards trying to get more people on board with saving the planet.
2. Cut out single-use plastic.
Single-use plastic is unnecessary. You can replace plastic bottles, single-use coffee cups, plastic straws, plastic cutlery, single-use plates, all with reusable and washable ones. This may seem like a huge undertaking, so just start by refusing straws at restaurants until you can invest in a reusable set. This tip can also save you lots of money in the long-run.
3. Recycle literally everything.
If you are so stuck in your ways with single-use and disposable items, look into recycling. You can recycle most plastic and paper products through your township service, and the things you can't, can often be sent back to the company. For example, most grocery stores accept their plastic bags back and reuse them. Teaching young children about recycling and the life cycle of their waste encourages a more sustainable future.
4. Buy products with recyclable packaging.
Every time I go shopping, I look for the triangular arrows because I know that all of the items I throw out for the trash will end up in a landfill. It will never degrade back into the Earth. Some corporations are getting the message about their influence on waste, but we need to keep pushing. Doing a little bit of research on the life cycle of the products you buy, will help reduce the amount of waste we toss into landfills and the ocean.
5. Stop buying produce in plastic.
One of the great things about grown food is that it all comes with free, natural and biodegradable packaging! There is no need for grocery stores to package their produce in plastic wrap, and there is also no reason for you to purchase it when it comes this way. Earth would truly appreciate it if you did your due diligence in reducing your waste.
6. Use your social media.
In 2018, approximately 78 percent of young adults in the U.S. reportedly used Snapchat daily. We have a huge advantage in using social media platforms such as Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter, to promote Earth-friendly habits and lifestyles. Start following and supporting organizations and companies that are dedicated to saving the planet. Getting this kind of inspiration in your feed every day will not only encourage you to make smarter choices, but your friends will also be influenced by your dedication to the Earth.
7. Plant things.
My final tip to help you become less destructive to the planet is to plant and grow! Whether it is growing your own food, creating a garden or planting a tree, organically replenishing Earth is one of the best ways to show it, love. As large corporations continue to damage and destroy the planet, we can fight back by replanting and making Earth green again.
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