Year in Review: 2019-2020
This year, I’ve taken various steps in my personal life to be more environmentally friendly. I’ve always appreciated our Earth and everything it provides for us, and the issue of climate change worries me greatly. I decided that I must do more in my personal life to cut down on my waste, in order to make up for those who don’t. I did a lot of research and looking on Pinterest, it’s one of my favorite resources. I found many easy ways to be more sustainable, and began switching out old products for a more sustainable alternative.
I invested in reusable food wraps made from cotton cloth and beeswax, as well as metal straws, and a larger reusable bottle. As well, I found it very easy to make switches in the bathroom. I started by switching from a disposable, plastic loofah to a naturally grown loofah. My mother has grown many in the past, and they’re a great natural alternative. I also switched to bar soap in both my shower and at my sink, and I always ensure that the soap I buy has little to no packaging in order to cut down on even more waste. I found sustainable swaps for shampoo and conditioner as well, both in bar form! These products work wonderfully, and come with little to no packaging! Additionally, I opted for a razor with replaceable heads, instead of completely disposable razors.
In the dorm this past year, it wasn’t as easy to remain sustainable in the “kitchen” aspect of things, as I wasn’t able to cook in my dorm. I used my meal plan as much as possible, but I admittedly wasn’t as eco-friendly as I could have been had I taken some extra steps. However, I did help my roommates change their habits! I created a spot for us to put our broken-down cardboard boxes, and then I would take them to our floor’s recycling bin. I used my crochet skills to make us some dishcloths and rags to keep around for dishes or to clean with. As well, I carried a camping fork and spoon set in my backpack so that I didn’t have to use single-use utensils when presented with them either on campus or out to eat elsewhere.
For this coming fall, I have a lot of ideas and plans in place to help maintain my sustainable track. I will be living in an apartment this fall, which means I finally have a kitchen! I’m excited to cook more for myself, and focus on buying sustainable groceries while I’m at it. My apartment also has a teeny little balcony, so I’m planning on making a worm composting bin to use for food scraps. I’ve made one in the past with my high school’s environment club, and they work really well! Additionally, when I’m living in my apartment, I plan on cooking way more than I do now. Not only will this make me healthier, it’ll also be better for the environment! I’m really excited to get moved in and started on making these changes in my life, and I will continue to look for ways to keep myself sustainable.
I invested in reusable food wraps made from cotton cloth and beeswax, as well as metal straws, and a larger reusable bottle. As well, I found it very easy to make switches in the bathroom. I started by switching from a disposable, plastic loofah to a naturally grown loofah. My mother has grown many in the past, and they’re a great natural alternative. I also switched to bar soap in both my shower and at my sink, and I always ensure that the soap I buy has little to no packaging in order to cut down on even more waste. I found sustainable swaps for shampoo and conditioner as well, both in bar form! These products work wonderfully, and come with little to no packaging! Additionally, I opted for a razor with replaceable heads, instead of completely disposable razors.
In the dorm this past year, it wasn’t as easy to remain sustainable in the “kitchen” aspect of things, as I wasn’t able to cook in my dorm. I used my meal plan as much as possible, but I admittedly wasn’t as eco-friendly as I could have been had I taken some extra steps. However, I did help my roommates change their habits! I created a spot for us to put our broken-down cardboard boxes, and then I would take them to our floor’s recycling bin. I used my crochet skills to make us some dishcloths and rags to keep around for dishes or to clean with. As well, I carried a camping fork and spoon set in my backpack so that I didn’t have to use single-use utensils when presented with them either on campus or out to eat elsewhere.
For this coming fall, I have a lot of ideas and plans in place to help maintain my sustainable track. I will be living in an apartment this fall, which means I finally have a kitchen! I’m excited to cook more for myself, and focus on buying sustainable groceries while I’m at it. My apartment also has a teeny little balcony, so I’m planning on making a worm composting bin to use for food scraps. I’ve made one in the past with my high school’s environment club, and they work really well! Additionally, when I’m living in my apartment, I plan on cooking way more than I do now. Not only will this make me healthier, it’ll also be better for the environment! I’m really excited to get moved in and started on making these changes in my life, and I will continue to look for ways to keep myself sustainable.