 Switch out plastic water bottles for a reusable one.
I know this is one of the most basic sustainability tips I can give you, but it really is one of the most impactful. Having a trusty reusable water bottle that I take on the go with me has made my life so much more convenient and has saved me money in the long run. If you get into the routine of taking a reusable water bottle with you, you will be doing yourself and the planet a favor. Every single minute, 1 million plastic bottles are purchased around the world, but only 9% ever end up being recycled. According to National Geographic, a vast majority of the water bottles consumed worldwide (around 79%) find their way into landfills, or even worse our oceans and water systems. Experts predict that by 2050, 12 billion metric tons of plastic will be part of our landfills, a majority of that finding its way into ecosystems that directly impact human health. If we don’t act now and change the way we consume, plastic pollution will be even more irreversible for future generations than it is now. There are numerous reasons why going reusable is overall a smarter decision than using plastic. In the process, using even one reusable water bottle will save up to 156 single use water bottles from ending up in the landfill. Even when bottles make it into the landfill, a majority of these plastics take at least 5 centuries to decompose. It really is better to reduce than reuse or recycle. The argument that “It’s already made so I might as well use it,” is probably one of the most destructive points of view when it comes to making eco-friendly efforts. When we as consumers decide, we do not want to purchase an unsustainable mass-produced product (like plastic water bottles), companies will hear us. Never underestimate your power as an individual consumer. This is another example of how small actions from individuals can make lasting impacts. Source: Comments are closed.
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