5 Simple Sustainability Saves

Nobody can do everything but everyone can do something.

There is a new documentary out called Seaspriacy. The subtitle is a quote from the new Leo Di Caprio and other celebrities-backed documentary on overfishing and general plastic ocean pollution. Even if they didn’t get everything right (I can’t say, I’m not a scientist nor a statistics geek) I’m pretty sure things are dire in regards to overfishing and everything else they don’t want us to know. They being all who profit from direct or indirect pollution and general planet ravaging.

I am a person of convenience — one might also say lazy — that means I do not belong to the zero waste propagators, however commendable that goal is. It’d be a full-time job, and I don’t have that kind of time. I try to do my part, however, and I figure if everyone does something — that’ll work too.

1. Shampoo that looks like soap. It comes in a small cardboard box, the size of a post-it (paper waste recyclables) and despite my initial skepticism, works wonderfully well. My hair gets washed, feels fine, looks fine, and saves on plastic. Score.
2. Bring your own coffee cup. You may have heard of the Starbucks initiative. I think it’s a start, a good idea, and will hopefully catch on. (It’s basically a reusable takeout cup — you pay a deposit on it and get it back when you return the cup) Another really very simple alternative that's been around for over 10 years: BRING YOUR OWN REUSABLE CUP.
3. Bring your own multi-functional shopping bag. There is no excuse to not have a reusable shopping bag with you at all times. There are so many alternatives, fits for any size bag you may or may not carry. Many will slip into your pocket.
4. Stop buying bottled water. There was this one episode of “Bones” from the 2005 season. A body, or rather, set of bones, was found near a water purifying plant. Dr. Temperance Brennan (Emily Deschanel) remarked how stupid people are who buy their water in bottles. I agree. If the water out of your tap is crap, get a filter attached.
5. Mend your clothes. That’s right. Instead of throwing away a t-shirt with a small hole or tear, mend it. It’s trending, trendy, cool, and helps save the planet. Seriously. In case you weren’t aware: The growth, manufacturing, transporting, and washing of cotton uses huge amounts of water. 2,700 liters of water to make just one t-shirt; enough water for one person to drink for 900 days. I’d say that’s worth the small effort of getting yourself a small sewing kit organized. For more inspiration, I can recommend Darn it! The art of mending and repairing and a how-to guide by Molly Martin: The Art of Repair: Mindful mending and how to stitch old things to new life. Yeah, it does sound a bit ‘see my mindful halo’ but that’s okay. We need a certain niche passion to inspire people like us (lazy) to just do it.

That’s all. For today.