Category: Individual Change

Individual Change

10 Everyday Household Items that could be Reusable!

Taylor Houghton

I always wondered how I can continue to help the planet by using reusable products. The basic items that come to my mind right away are plastic water bottles and reusable grocery bags. Although, those two things are great, there are many more opportunities to be more Eco-friendly. I composed a list of 10 things that you change exchange for your everyday products.

1. Reusable tampon and pads!

I thought I would start this list out a little interesting. When I first heard of a reusable tampon and pad, I was a little grossed out! At first it is a little hard to use (I’ll be honest), but so was a tampon when you first started using one. You just have to give it a chance. Not only does it help the environment by eliminating waste but it is also better for your body. Check out the video below to see all the benefits!

http://www.facebook.com/MenstrualCupTribe/videos/177368666139055/

2. Eco wrap!

Eco wrap is a great alternative to plastic wrap! Did I mention it is healthier and saves money for you in the long run! Check out this video to see the full details!

This Eco Food Wrap Is Perfect For People Who Love The Environment

This Eco Food Wrap Is Perfect For People Who Love The Environment

Posted by BuzzFeed Video on Tuesday, April 4, 2017

 

(And if it is too expensive or you like DIY projects, this video shows you how to make your own!)

Homemade Reusable Cling Wrap

Make your own homemade REUSABLE cling wrap to be more eco-friendly! ✨

Posted by Goodful on Sunday, April 22, 2018

3. Reusable Hand Warmers!

Reusable Hand Warmers are great because you can use them again and again and never have to buy one again. What is do is after you use it you boil it and it restarts the hand warmer. You then click the sliver button inside and watch it transform (this part is pretty neat)! Then it stay warm like a hand warmer would! When you want to use it again, start the whole process over again! Check out this short video that shows you how it works!

4. DIY Hot and Cold heat pack

All you need to do is add rice and sew it together in a pack. You can either microwave it or freeze it and use it again and again! (They make great gifts!)

 Image result for diy hot and cold heat pack

5. Reusable Straws!

I already made a blog post about this but I think this is an important item that we must switch to! There are many alternatives to this which is great! There are glass, metal, stainless steal, wood, bamboo, rubber and paper straws! All are better than the plastic alternative!

Image result for reusable straws glass, bamboo and mentalImage result for reusable straws glass, bamboo and mentalImage result for reusable straws glass, bamboo and mentalImage result for reusable straws glass, bamboo and mental

6. Reusable Juice Box!

This one if for the kids! Think about how much waste a little juice box with a straw makes! This is a easy switch and it saves you money but filling up your own juice!

Image result for reusable juice boxImage result for reusable juice box

7. Reusable Sandwich Bags!

Again think of the money you will be saving and the waste you will be preventing! This is a one time buy! The link below shows a website that sells them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

http://www.reuseit.com/reuseit-platinum-silicone-reusable-sandwich-and-snack-bags-set-of-4.htm

 

8. Chip and Snack Bag Re-sealer

This will keep your food fresh and help you not waste them!

Image result for chip and snack bag resealer

9. Reusable Napkins!

All you have to do it wash them and they look super cute too!

Image result for reusable napkins

10. Food Scrapes

Don’t waste your food scrapes! You can either compost them like I explained in past posts or you can grow new fruits and veggies from your fruit and veggie scrapes.

Image result for growing food from scraps\

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are many more alternatives but these are just 10! Start with these and you will surely make an impact!! 

Individual Change

3 Things You Can Make From Your Plastic Waste!

Taylor Houghton

Here is 3 DIY that takes old waste and turns it into something beautiful! These are great ways to put waste into good use! Check out all 3 videos and get your craft on!

  1. Plastic Water Bottles into a Bench!

    In this DIY, you will be taking plastic water bottles and forming them into a bench. Check out the video below as they take you step by step through the process.

    A padded stool from plastic bottles

    What a clever way to recycle plastic bottles!♻️via MORENA DIY, youtube.com/MORENADIY

    Posted by 5-Minute Crafts on Tuesday, September 20, 2016

  2. Plastic Bags into one reusable Bag!

    In this DIY, you will take your old plastic bags and you will fuse them together to make one reusable bag! Check out the video as it takes you step by step through the process!

    How To Fuse Plastic Bags

    Grab your iron and recycle your shopping bags into something useful!

    Posted by DIY with Hometalk on Tuesday, January 16, 2018

    3. Paper Bags into Flooring!

    In this DIY, you will be taking old paper bags and making them into a floor! It is very easy and different! Check out the video below as they take you step by step through the process!

    How To Make A Paper Bag Floor

    Place paper bags on your floor for this genius updating trick!

    Posted by DIY with Hometalk on Friday, November 3, 2017

America's Effort, Global Impact, Individual Change

Plastic Free Aisles

Taylor Houghton

Let’s be Plastic-Free!

If you haven’t heard the rage about plastic free products, you might be living under a rock! I am just kidding! Let me tell you!

Image result for plastic in our oceans

A lot of the products we produce are sold in plastic packages. This is a problem because plastic is ending up in our oceans and our environment! We need to do away with plastic things! 300 million tons of plastic are produced globally but only 12% are being recycled. Where does that leave the 88%? Something has to be done.

Supermarkets are now being urged to have plastic free aisles! This helps prevents tons of waste that is already effecting our Earth! Image result for plastic free aisle

Supermarkets including Tesco, Waitrose and Sainsbury’s said they would respond to the proposals once discussions with campaigners had taken place. I have also seen activists going into local super markets with their team. What ever they purchase, they take the plastic off with it and the purchase it.

Sarah Knapton from the telegraph news for science stats, “We have more choice than ever for everything. There are countless gluten-free, organic or kosha aisles, and yet we have absolutely no choice about buying food that is packaged in plastic.” Image result for plastic free aisle

It is true. How can you expect us to take part of this movement if there is way we could? Our only option right now is to buy plastic things. We must provide plastic free aisles to the public and then see the change happen!

She always tells us, “It is a double whammy problem because not only does it make us feel guilty about all this packaging we are using, but science is starting to show us that wrapping food in plastic can bring health problems.”Image result for no more plastic

If that doesn’t motivate you, I don’t know what will. Plastics are destroying our health and our home!

#ChangingOurPlanetOneAisleAtATime

 

*Check out the link below to see a video of the first plastic free store! 

Individual Change

Environmentally Friendly Razors!

Taylor Houghton

Safety Razors!

Two billion razors are thrown away each year! This is something we don’t often think about! There is actually a razor out there that is good for the environment that already exist…SAFETY RAZORS!

Before I get into that…the two common razors that people use:

The first kind is the razor that has one set of blades on them. After a week or two of using this razor, you throw it away. And let’s be honest. Do we really get the close shave that we want. I always end up with cuts on my leg from razors like theses.

Image result for razors

The other kind is a razor that comes with about two to three replaceable razors. After you use up all the razors you throw them out. These razors never seem to get a close enough shave either. Plus their expensive!

Image result for razorsImage result for razors

 

The important thing to take away is RAZORS ARE NOT RECYCLABLE! That’s right, every time you throw away a razor it is ending up in landfills. Think about how many of these razors you use in a year!! Don’t worry the solution already exists! Safety Razors will be the last purchase you’ll ever make on a razor!

Image result for razors

People are raving that:

  1. They are getting a closer shave
  2. No more dots on their legs
  3. Safe to leave in shower
  4. Their saving money
  5. Their helping the environment

What you need to do:

Make a one time purchase of about $20 (sometimes less) and buy a Safety Razor!

For only $12, you can get 100 blades too! (This will last you for years!) You do the math of those savings!

All you do with the uses razors is out them in a can to recycle them. The company ASTRA takes care of it and reuses the materials.

The cost upfront is a bit more than a traditional razor but in the long run you will be saving money and the Earth! Think about how many disposable razors you throw away, every time your spending $10-$20…that adds up really quick! Again think about how many disposable razors you have thrown away in your lifetime, they are all sitting in a landfill as we speak.

Be the change and make the switch! Remember… small changes make a big difference!

 

*Check out this video below-they give you some good tips towards the end of the video of how to use a safety razor!

Safety Razors

The safety razor is the eco-friendly shaving tool we didn't know we needed.

Posted by We Need This on Tuesday, April 10, 2018

 

 

America's Effort, Global Impact, Individual Change

Editable and Package Free Water Bottles!

Taylor Houghton

Editable and Package Free Water Bottles… Say what??

Are you thirsty but trying to reduce your use of plastic? Look no further. Scientists have come up with a package free and editable way to drink water. “‘Ooho’ by Skipping Rocks Lab is an edible water bottle created out of 100% biodegradable brown algae that is an environmental-friendly alternative to plastic bottles.” They are also developing colored ones or ones that have taste to them!

Image result for edible water bottle

How you drink it: 

It is a very simple process. All you have to do is peel the film/skin around the edible water and pop it in your mouth.

The editable water bottles are being tested at certain sporting events. It’s something very simple that you can just pick up and go and then just pop it in your mouth. This will help us eliminate plastic water bottles for good! They will be coming to the market soon! Keep your eyes pealed for them! I am very interested in trying one of these. My only concern is having them pop in my backpack or something. Because it has a skin that you have to peal before you drink it, it makes me think it won’t. I will let you know if I get the chance to try one!

 

Check out this video below! 

America's Effort, Individual Change

Package Free Store

Taylor Houghton

Package Free Stores do exist!!

A lot of us are trying to reduce our waste but it is actually harder than you think… If you look at the products you use everyday, their not package free. Even if you go to your local super market, you will find that the stores don’t even carry a package free product.

I came across a video Lauren Singer shared. She owns a package free store. The difference is the store hold everyday products that you wouldn’t be able to find package free at your typical store. You know her products are good because she uses also every product in the store for herself.

Singer is from New York and she has opened a package free store. She currently lives a waste free lifestyle. All of her trash from over the years, all fits in one tiny mason jar.

She explains in her video that when she tried to live a waste free lifestyle that it was hard for her to find simple things like shampoo. Now she provides all things like this. She even has a system for things like laundry detergent. You bring back your reusable jar to fill it up. She sells a lot of everyday reusable things that you wouldn’t normally think about.

“Every product we have here, I don’t have it just to be functional; it has to be beautiful too.”

Check out this video below!

Package Free shop

This Package Free store is an environmentalist's wonderland.

Posted by Mashable on Wednesday, January 3, 2018

 

Individual Change

How to Re-Grow your Fruits and Veggies Scrapes!

Taylor Houghton

Re-grow and…re-eat?

That’s right! I came across this video on Facebook and I was blown away! This video shows you how to take your fruits and vegetable scrapes and grown new ones! This video shows you how to put your food scrapes into good use and it also saves you some money in your pocket! Plus it is so good to have plants in your house. They benefit you in more ways than you think!

Foods they cover:

Veggies– Potatoes, lettuce, green onion, celery, onion.

Fruits– Orange, lemon, strawberry’s, cherries, pears, apples, raspberries, tomatoes, avocados, pineapples, kiwi, peppers.

Herbs and Spices– Mint, basil, lemongrass, cilantro, rosemary trimmings, cilantro trimmings, ginger, garlic.

Check out this video! It is really interesting! 

http://www.facebook.com/officialgoodful/videos/1890922724311518/

 

Also if your not the best planter or your not sure how to take care of plants, check out this other video. It explains the four things plants need and takes you step by step through the process.

How to stop killing your house plants! 

How To Stop Killing Your Houseplants

Here's how to stop killing your houseplants! #EarthMonth

Posted by Tasty Vegetarian on Sunday, April 8, 2018

Individual Change

Living Waste Free: Guide

Taylor Houghton

Living waste free may seem impossible but it’s not… Trashisfortossers.com gives a great guild to follow:

Image result for living waste free

ESTABLISH YOUR “WHY?”

This is important so you you ever need some motivation too keep going, think of your why! Trashistossers tells us some reasons could be:

Are you a surfer who hates seeing plastic wash up on the beach?

Image result for WHAT IS YOUR WHY

Have you experienced a health scare or issue after using a beauty product containing toxins?

Are you tired of spending $6 on a latte every single day?

Are you fed up with our political leaders not giving a damn about climate change?

Write it on your mirror, tattoo it on your bicep – always come back to you WHY.

Assess Your Waste:

Notice where your making the most waste. Notice what it is and how you can prevent this. Take it one step at a time, baby steps are good and won’t overwhelm you.

PRIORITIZE:

Start changing your everyday ways. Maybe instead of going out or buy coffee from a shop, make your lunch and coffee at home with reusable containers. It can be overwhelming to look at the trash you make but focus on one area at a time, it can be possible!

Replace your items as they run out:Image result for dont throw everything away

You don’t need to go out a buy all your products in zero waste right away. It can be very costly. A good idea is to wait until your products run out then replace them with a zero waste product. Throwing away your product that your not finished using up can be just as wasteful.

RESEARCH HOW TO PROPERLY RECYCLE OLD ITEMS, DONATE, SELL OR UP-CYCLE THEM:

 

 

Don’t just throw away all your old items in the trash. There are ways to property depose of them by recycling,

Image result for recycle and donate

composting, etc. You can find ways to reuse old items, donate them, or give them as a gift. As long as they don’t end up in landfills that is all that matters. If your really struggling what to do with something, look in to the TerraCycle program. They have come up with a solution to recycle just about everything you could think of!

REMEMBER: IT’S A PROCESS!

This is going to take time. It could take up to a year to fully go waste free. Be patient. And don’t give up!

“Everyone’s zero waste journey is different. So never compare yourself to other people. Get inspiration from them, communicate with other zero waste-ers in the process when you have questions or concerns, be supported by other people – not intimidated.”Image result for live waste free dont give up

 

Global Impact, Individual Change

Ecosia- Search the Web to Plant Trees!

Taylor Houghton

Ecosia- Search the Web to Plant Trees!

 

The Top 7 Google Alternatives | DOZ

What? Did I read that right? Yes! Ecosia is a search engine that helps the planet! You need about 45 searches to plant a tree! Why not use this web search engine!

Ecosia is like any other search engine! Your searching up things anyways, might as well put it to good use! It also counts the each search that you make so you can keep track of your own individual efforts! Also, under the search bar there is a larger number that goes up every time someone makes a new search so you can also keep track of the number of searches the world makes! This is literally amazing!

“We want to create a world where the environment no longer needs protecting,” said the Esosia activists.

How it works: Every time you make a search from a search engine, they profit in some way. Esosia is different in this way because the profit they make for your searches goes towards the efforts to plant trees! The trees are planted in various different locations. They are being planted where they are needed most. Ecosia-Make planet greener by planting trees while you ...

The site has a option to make Ecosia your default browsers. If your searching on your phone more than your laptop, they also have a mobile app! You can also keep track of where the trees are being planted and who is being benefited. They have a little bell in the right hand

Ecosia. Plant trees while you search the Internet. · Cabo ...corner that is labeled “news” and it keeps you updated. They are such a honest search engine that they even have their financial report open to the public. They also post their tree receipts too.

 

 

 

42- year-old Sara from Mechisho, Ethiopia stated, “We plant native acacia trees, because they make the soil more fertile. With our earnings we started a communal savings account, which allows women to start their own businesses.”

 

Not only that but your privacy is respect as they stated this on their site. A lot search engines use your data to make a profit for themselves. Ecosia does not sell your data to advertisers and have no third part trackers. The search engine’s only goal is to encourage the public to use their search engine to plant more trees!

Over 24 million trees have already been planted, and their not stopping there! Start searching today!! ECOSIA - Planta Árboles buscando en Internet ¿Cómo ...

Check out the video below! Explains how they got the idea. Also download the app! 

Individual Change

Food Waste into Cooking Gas?!

Taylor Houghton

Homebiogas:

Can you even believe that there is a device that will allow you to turn your food waste into cooking gas! Honestly, your throwing away your food waste anyways, might as well put it to good use. Literally, all I hear is savings!!!

The blow up machine just sits in your backyard! “Homebiogas is an off-grid system that generates clean energy without any electricity AND allows you to properly treat your household waste! The system produces up to 2 hours of cooking gas every day solely from your food scraps or animal waste, ” Homebiogas tells us themselves.

How it works:

The process is easy to assemble and doesn’t require a professional technician, HomeBiogas is a DIY kit!
The system is sent to your home with all the tools and a detailed guide, so it is super easy! All you have to do is activate your system and have a healthy colony of bacteria growing in the digester right in your backyard. Literally, your able to toss your food scraps and/or animal waste into the system and then after that it generates up to 2 hours of cooking gas and fertilizer DAILY. Talk about savings!! $$$

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Below is a video that shows the HOMEBIOGAS in action!

Turn your food waste into cooking gas! Music by Joakim Karud

Turn your food waste into cooking gas!Music by Joakim Karud

Posted by Genius Club on Monday, November 20, 2017