Celebrating Earth Day: Finding my way back to my roots
When I was a kid, I remember riding my bike with streamers on the handlebars, learning how to make a side ponytail like Cyndi Lauper, and hearing my mom talk about how ‘the cheaper, faster, plastic way of life’ would harm us. She could see where we were headed with the hurry up and go lifestyle, more is better, takeout containers everywhere, consumer society. At this time in my life, much of what we ate came from our organic backyard. My parents would drive to the natural food store for high quality chicken feed. We had eggplants, corn, peas, carrots, strawberries… We were surrounded by beautiful fruit trees. Doesn’t it sound magnificent!
Then life took over. I distanced myself from my roots, grew up, got a cell phone, accepted the hustle culture, and the takeout containers along with it. Until it all became too much! I realized what I longed for was to get back to my roots.
It is difficult to be a conscious consumer, but I’ve been working hard to take small steps to reduce the plastic in my life. I want it to be easier for you to make choices that allow you to live simply and reduce your waste. We can’t go back to the way it was. Let’s redesign the present with thoughtful choices that bring us more joy.
On a hike over the weekend, some friends asked me to share more about the changes I’ve made and the products I use. Here are just some of the ways I have reduced plastic and some other habits I have changed to be a more conscious consumer.
1. Laundry: I like clean clothes, but I couldn’t bring myself to buy another plastic bin of Oxyclean. So in my switch from Amazon to Thrive Organic Market, I found Dropps detergent pods that come in a cardboard box. Amazing! I use:
a. Dropps Oxy Booster Laundry Whitener and Stain Remover - https://thrivemarket.com/p/dropps-oxi-booster-laundry-whitener-stain-remover-pods-unscented
b. Earth Breeze Laundry Detergent Sheets – I order a case that lasts me for a year to cut down on deliveries. https://earthbreeze.com/products/earthbreeze-ecosheets-laundry-detergent?
c. Dirty Labs Bio Laundry Detergent in an aluminum container – the Magnolia Bergamot Cedar smells so good! https://www.grove.co/products/bio-laundry-detergent-with-phytolase-r-magnolia-bergamot-cedar-copy?
2. Soap: We all need to wash our hands but even the refillable containers are plastic! I discovered Blueland foaming hand soap tablets and I love them. Drop it in your reusable foaming hand soap bottle, add water, et voila. https://thrivemarket.com/p/blueland-foaming-hand-soap-refill-tablets-mix-pack
3. Dishwasher: Dropps Ultrawash Dishwasher Detergent Pods - https://thrivemarket.com/p/dropps-dishwasher-detergent-pods-lemon-scent
4. Wipes - It’s not a plastic replacement, but I absolutely love Marley’s Monsters lemon print cotton pads. I have the facial rounds and the paper towels. https://www.marleysmonsters.com/products/20-reusable-3-facial-rounds-black-and-white-prints?
5. Plant Paper - Bamboo Toilet Paper and Tissues: It’s a more renewable resource and comes with zero plastic packaging, still soft enough for the bum and the nose. They are having a 25% off Earth Day Sale today! https://plantpaper.us/
6. Food storage: Compostable cling wrap on Thrive Market; silicone food containers – find these online or at Trader Joe’s; and recycled jars – wash, reuse, repeat!
7. Beverages: I carry a reusable water bottle and coffee cup with me most of the time. You don’t need to replace your coffee habit, just your coffee cup. Because who wants to drink from plastic.
8. Brands: Support brands that are responsible. Say no to plastic in your food and yes to food in compostable, sustainable containers. Let your stores know that it matters to you.
9. Bags: Reusable grocery bags and produce bags. Toss them in the car so they are always with you. Then remember to bring them into the store with you!
10. Packaging: Observe where you use the most packaging and look for an alternative. I love tea and coffee, but I’m drinking more tea lately and have been switching to loose leaf tea and matcha powder. There are so many good choices.
11. Trash: As much as possible, we use paper bags for garbage and recycling and skip the bag for compost.
12. Reduce: When you are shopping, ask yourself, “Do I really need this? Are you sure?” If so, great. If not, what is an alternative. For a wedding in Puerto Rico last November, I asked a local Facebook group to borrow a dress. I made a new friend in the process and didn’t contribute to the clothing waste from buying something new.
13. Hotels: When I travel, I ask the hotel to skip cleaning service or ask them to clean the room without replacing sheets and towels. Many hotels do this by default now which is great to see.
It is hard to unwind all of the plastic in our lives. Don’t let it overwhelm you. Pick just one thing you could switch to reduce your plastic use.
Next on my list: A really nice body lotion in a refillable plastic jar. Does anyone use one they love? Let me know! Also, I’d like to plan better and modify my routine to weave in trips to the Farmer’s Market to buy local, organic, fresh produce. For now though, I love our neighborhood stores. Diablo Foods carries a lot of fantastic, local produce!
What is one thing you are doing that you would add to this list?
What is your one small act in honor of fresh air, clean parks, beautiful trees, clean water, and healthy bodies?
Share this with a friend, talk about it at work, and invite them to join you in conscious consumerism. Model meaningful behavior. Encourage each other. Small acts add up to a big difference.
We can make better choices. Together.
P.S. If you haven’t joined Thrive Organic Market yet and would like to save 40% off your first order, feel free to use my referral link here: http://thrv.me/UF7WVB
