With so much news about environmental damage caused by humans, positive outcomes can sometimes seem unattainable. But with more people discovering ways to make small changes in their daily lives, it is becoming easier to contribute towards the reversal of a worrying trend.
Reduce and reuse
Many people have been led to believe recycling is the ultimate ecological power move. In truth, recycling is only better if there is no way of avoiding buying plastic in the first place.
Reducing how much plastic you buy, and reusing what has already been made, are more beneficial for the environment.
Producing new recyclable plastic uses fossil fuels. This requires extraction and releases harmful pollutants into the environment. Recycling itself is also resource-intensive and not always successful.
Be prepared when recycling
The pursuit of convenience leads to many recyclable products being disposed of improperly. This causes more waste to go to landfill.
Recycling should be washed and separated properly, as some types of plastic can only be recycled in specific places.
While poorly discarded items can end up in landfill, they also risk contaminating whole batches of recycling. Check local recycling rules and product markings to avoid mistakes.
Research the practices of product manufacturers
When starting to make eco-friendly choices, greenwashing by unscrupulous companies can lead consumers astray.
Some companies may attain certificates that allow them to present sustainable credentials to the public, before reverting to harmful practices.
In addition, remember: unnecessary plastic packaging is still unnecessary, even if the manufacturer claims that it is made from recycled materials.
Make small sustainable household changes
Establish how much waste you generate, by performing a plastic or food waste audit. Collect all the plastic you would otherwise throw out for a few weeks to identify where you can most effectively cut down. Do this over a week to quantify food waste.
Introduce new habits to make your kitchen more sustainable. For example:
- Take reusable containers on shopping trips to avoid buying loose goods with non-recyclable plastic packaging
- Grow fresh herbs instead of buying dried, pre-packaged ones transported over long distances.
There are some simple changes you can also make in the bathroom:
- Switch to natural, plastic-free toiletries as existing products run out
- Refill existing containers at refill stations to reduce plastic waste
- Choose natural cleaners and products with fewer harsh chemicals to protect waterways.
Enact change through your wallet
As the saying goes, money talks. Commit to buying from companies with a proven sustainable track-record, rather than funding those that damage the environment. This can force stubborn companies to change their ways.
In addition, investigate the eco-credentials of your bank and other institutions to which you entrust your money. This can help prevent accidental investment in fossil fuel extraction or other unsustainable practices.
Talk to others about the environment
Share tips and get other people involved. Community sustainability events, such as clothing swaps or compost initiatives, reduce waste collectively. There are also opportunities to save newcomers time and money by sharing quality eco-friendly products discovered through trial and error.
Join community litter picks for a direct positive impact and clear up litter when you spend time outside. Though everyone should be responsible for their own rubbish, the environment is helped more by undoing the negative actions of others, rather than simply becoming frustrated.
Keep eco-friendly living simple
Don’t try to save the world by yourself all at once. It’s easy to become overwhelmed and burnt out. Small changes that still allow you to enjoy convenience are likely to last longer, cumulatively reducing your negative environmental impact.
We have all become used to bringing reusable bags shopping with us, or giving up plastic straws in favour of sustainable, plastic-free alternatives. These changes show how natural products can seamlessly replace plastic, without sacrificing ease.
Making eco-friendly dinnerware choices
Our stylish, affordable, and convenient natural palm leaf tableware is designed to offer an alternative to disposable plastic solutions.
Made from the dried, fallen leaves of areca palm trees, palm leaf plates, bowls and spoons are made from a sustainable agricultural waste product, that does not contribute to deforestation.
Moulded from sugarcane pulp, our bagasse tableware is also a sturdy and eco-friendly alternative to plastic plates and bowls.
After use, both palm leaf tableware and sugarcane bagasse tableware can be reused or simply disposed of into home compost, where it will biodegrade in 2–3 months.
Despite being a natural substitute for disposable plastic and paper utensils, bagasse tableware is inherently durable and able to be used with a wide range of foodstuffs, including hot and cold liquids.
Visit our online store to see the complete range of high-quality compostable tableware we have to offer.