Earth day is April 22nd! So here at JEM Organics, we wanted to shoot out some reminders of how we all can help reduce our environmental impact.
Drink From a Reusable Water Bottle
We have a huge plastic problem all over the world and it’s easier than you think to make a difference. One easy way to help do your part is to use reusable water bottles. Just a few plastic waste facts:
- Plastic waste kills an estimated 1.1 million marine animals a year
- 38 billion bottles end up in US landfills per year
- It takes on average 450 years for plastic to decompose
- If one person switches to a reusable bottle, 217 disposable bottles will be saved from the landfill
- One stainless steel water bottle is equivalent to 50 plastic bottles in manufacturing energy consumption
- You’ll also save $255 a year by using a reusable bottle
Shop Secondhand
Thrifting is a great way to reduce your impact on the environment. Did you know the fashion industry creates 10% of all humanity’s carbon emissions? It’s also the second largest consumer of the world’s water supply and pollutes the water with microplastics. By purchasing secondhand, not only are supporting the environment, but you save a penny and delay the inevitable addition to the landfill. Thrifting doesn’t have to make you feel like your shopping in the 70s. Nowadays, there are plenty of apps to use to sell and purchase clothes!
- Let Go
- Nextdoor
- EBTH Everything But the House
- VarageSale
- Poshmark
- Thread Up
- Depop
- The RealReal
Swap Single Use Plastic
There are plastic items we use everyday that go straight to the trash or recycling bin. All of us can reduce this waste by purchasing reusable products such as the following:
- Swap plastic Tupperware for glass Tupperware, such as Pyrex
- Swap plastic wrap forBee’s Wrap or Meli Wrap
- Swap Ziploc bags for Stashers
- Swap plastic and paper grocery bags for Tote Bags
- Swap plastic vegetable bags at the grocery store for Cotton Mesh vegetable bags
- Swap plastic straws for compostable or reusable Aluminum straws
Bring Your Own Cup or Mug
Bring your own thermos to work or have a dedicated work mug! This will eliminate the need for those disposable cups in the break room. Most coffee shops will even refill your own thermos or mug instead of using their disposable cups. You’ll actually save a few cents each order too. Another option is to make coffee or tea at home. Saves you money and saves the planet!
Reduce Meat Intake
This may come as a shock, but animal agriculture produces more greenhouse gases than all the world’s transportation systems combined. Animal agriculture also uses almost 70% of our clean water. This water is used to grow crops for the animals to eat and for the animals to drink. Just to put this into perspective, a person can save approximately 219,000 gallons of water a year by going vegan. According to the EPA, One of the leading causes of pollution in our rivers and lakes is factory farm runoff and livestock grazing. The bacteria and viruses from manure are carried by the runoff and seep into groundwater. Now, we aren’t saying you have to go vegan or vegetarian. But perhaps cut back your intake. Go from 3 times a week to once a week.
Compost and Recycle
Do your best to recycle! Every county provides a recycling bin and pick up. Do your part to separate your papers from plastics and recycle. It’s an easy and a convenient solution to lower your waste. Composting is another great way to use your everyday waste for good. Composting improves soils, helps grow beautiful crops and improves water quality. By using compost for soil, we can reduce the use of pollutant chemical fertilizers and reduce water waste since compost retains water in soils. Find a composting facility near you. Findacomposter.com
JEM Organics
At JEM Organics, we do our best to make sure we are as environmentally friendly as we can be. Here are a few ways we do our part to protect you and our planet:
- Recyclable glass jars
- Corn based and biodegradable packing peanuts
- Ingredients only from sustainable and ethical vendors
- Clean our facility with biodegradable cleaning products
- Manufacture and fulfill our own products, so we can control the process
We hope you consider these tips on reducing waste and help us make a difference!