Why Gifting Second-Hand Spreads Holiday Cheer Even Further
I think we can all agree that 2020 has been a difficult year — especially for those of us who are not good with change… and a lot of it… all at once! This has been a year full of unprecedented circumstances, we’ve all probably spent a lot more time at home than ever before, and we’ve all probably had to deal with loss in some way as well.
As we approach the end of 2020 and, specifically, the holidays, we can start to think about what really matters most to us in the world. For me, it’s safely spending time with my family and friends — whether its on a brisk outdoor walk or a Zoom chat — and using some of my newfound free time to do what I can to make the holidays extra special for them this year. If there’s one thing we all could use, it’s some good old-fashioned holiday cheer!
That being said, it’s important for us to think about how and where we’re shopping for special gifts this holiday season. In addition to being the year of the pandemic, 2020 has been a pivotal year when it comes to environmental issues, and it has been a difficult year for many when it comes to job stability and having the ability to save some extra cash. If you’re nodding your head as you read this, then shopping second-hand for holiday gifts just might be the right solution for you.
When it comes to the environment, fashion waste stemming from fast-fashion brands that capitalize on short-lived trends is a major issue that is causing people to pivot to a more responsible retail era. In a 2019 survey conducted by Accenture, insights found that gifting second-hand — and especially vintage styles — is becoming a fashionable trend, and almost 50 percent of survey participants responded that they would consider gifting second-hand. And closer to 60 percent of people would welcome gifts of this type themselves!
Gifting second-hand items bought from the thrift stores in Destin, FL is so much better for the environment than shopping at traditional retail stores because it redirects gently used clothes and other goods from the landfill to your closet, where they can be put to great use.
If someone has leftovers from their garage sale, donating to a thrift store could be the best next choice. These funded programs typically serve people in local communities who have barriers to employment.
That would be people who have a disability, reentering into the community after being released from jail or prison, or for someone who has a lack of education and job training. In addition, someone finding their first job could find a position at a thrift store in Destin, FL. By donating to a thrift store, you’re helping your own community.
They’re able to divert things that typically are found in a land-zone, and reuse it. The organization is friendly to the environment by recycling used clothes and items in that way.
When is the best time to donate to a thrift store?
“Anytime is great to donate to thrift stores. A lot of people normally donate more in the spring after getting into spring cleaning. For thrift shops, the spring time is a heavy donation time. However, there’s really no bad time to donate.
What would be the best items to donate to a thrift store?
The value of the item is in the eye of the beholder. Thrift store receives a lot of clothes and apparel, but the industries also has plenty of furniture. The stores get things that treasure hunters and customers are looking for, and they’re always looking for unique things.
How does a thrift store benefit the community?
Serving quality goods for people is an important role for thrift stores and to be able to provide a variety of items such as cooking ware, electronics, clothes and apparel at a good price range.
The donated clothing items are almost always brand new, and shopping at a thrift store is good for customers who are managing a budget and for college students who are moving into their first apartment or dorm rooms searching for cheap furniture.
Fast Fashion is inexpensive clothing that is produced to mass-market retailers in response to the latest trends. Retailers like Primark, H&M, ASOS and Boohoo.com churn out millions of tonnes of clothing each year to keep up with the ‘need to be new’.
This has been growing rapidly over the last 10-20 years with globalization being at the forefront and a drive from the Millennial and Gen-Z generations obsessed with having the newest trends before they’ve even hit the store.
Fast Fashion allows us to accommodate the world’s passion for fashion at an affordable price but does come at a price.
The Pros to Fast Fashion?
With living in such a fast-paced world, Fast Fashion allows for more affordable clothing. The latest trends are sold to the masses, people get what they want and not have to wait around for anything as there are now so many retailers and brands to choose from, either in-store and online, with eCommerce becoming the biggest industry on the planet as the human race moves deeper into the digital era.
With clothing becoming so cheap people can get a new outfit each weekend to go out in, sometimes even cheaper than a round of drink at your local pub! This has moved people into the habit of buying something and only wearing it once, a throwaway cutler. It’s great for someone who doesn’t have the largest income (students/the youth) as they can still enjoy the thrill of spending and getting the new things when they want, and not have to spend an arm and a leg on it, allowing them to save in other areas of life.
The Cons of the Industry
With the colossal demand for these clothes and the rate at which people want them, the increased waste from this throwaway culture, we as a species have created, means that 100 billion garments each year go to landfill in countries a lot worse off than the people buying the clothes.
Places like the Far East and Southern Asia, where huge sweats shops that have been known to exploit workers, make these clothes are on barely a liveable wage in awful conditions to get the product quickly the consumer on a mass scale. More than 1,100 people died in the garment factory collapse in Bangladesh in 2014 forcing western retail to be more transparent about their supply chain.
In early 2018 designer brand Burberry admitted to burning over £30 million worth of stock instead of selling it off cheaply to protect the band’s identity. This caused controversy in the fashion industry and it really made people stop and think as to what we can do to make this more environmentally friendly and stop this throwaway culture. This is the reason thrift shops in Destin, FL are gaining popularity.
What you can do
You can help combat this issue as well and it’s not even that difficult. The main and probably most beneficial thing you can do is to stop buying so much new clothing.
Wear more than once, when you wear something don’t feel that because people have seen you wear it once you can’t wear it again. Most clothing nowadays is such high quality it will last you for a good few years if you look after it.
The beauty with clothing is its versatility! Due to the advancement in technologies, the quality of even a cheap top can out way some of the more high-end designer brands. Once you’ve worn it and are bored with it, sell it on. Use the Apps like Depop and eBay to get some money back and allow someone else to enjoy what you once had, the recycling process can continue with you.
Fast Fashion is a great thing for the masses but its dark underbelly means that for us the cons outweigh the pros. Next time you go to get a new outfit for the weekend, think, do I really need that? Think of the bigger picture when it comes to fashion and not what you just look like!
As kids begin to grow older, their bodies start changing and progressing into bigger sizes of clothing. It seems like as soon as a parent turns around, their child is outgrowing their clothing again. This can become expensive, especially for those individuals who have more than one child. This is why there are so many of us who buy used kids clothes for our children.
There isn’t a family out there who has recycled their clothes within their family and friends who have children who need clothes as well. If the used kid clothing fit the size of your child and are the right size, then there isn’t a single individual who deny these clothes. There are so many reasons as to families do this, and there are also many reasons why buying used kids clothing is better and more beneficial for families to look into.
Growing Quickly
When you are looking to purchase used kids clothes, when you buy them from a yard sale, or have them handed down to your child, you will be able to get clothing that are sized ahead and for the upcoming season. This is beneficial for you since you will not be over-spending on new clothing. When you are needing to replace your child’s wardrobe, instead of running out to the mall and spending way too much on clothes, shop smart and head to the thrift store instead.
This will allow for you to save money, and also return home with more clothing than you would at a regular warehouse store. A nice aspect of buying used clothing is that you will be able to pass them on to friends and family once your child has outgrown these clothes.
Variety Of Clothing
When shopping for used clothing, you will be able to find that there is much more of a variety in the clothes that you can purchase. Therefore, when it is picture day at your child’s school, you won’t have to worry about if another child has the same outfit, or the same shirt, in their classroom.
The thrift stores inventory of clothing is continuously changing, therefore, you will pass on a lot of the clothing and will also be able to find a lot of “gems” and outfits that your child will have as a favorite. Make sure when you are shopping for second hand clothes at thrift shops in Destin, FL, the styles that you pick are the “in” styles of the times. Just because you are shopping for used clothes does not mean that you can’t find clothing that is in style.
Stains
Everyone knows that children makes a lot of messes and their clothes will become dirty or ruined. When you shop for used clothing items, if your child wears the outfit for the first time and stains it or ruins it, you will not be as frustrated because you did not spend a lot of money on the outfit. So, if you buy your child used clothing it will not keep them from making those types of messes, however, it will be less frustrating for you if they ruin an outfit that you did not spend a lot of money on.
Recycling
There is another reason that is wonderful about buying used clothing, and it is that it is environmentally friendly. When you purchase your clothing from garage sales and thrift shops, you are keeping these very good items of clothing out of dumps and landfills, and it also decreases the demand for more manufacturing of new items of clothing. Therefore, when you are buying recycled clothing for your kids, you are actually helping our environment in a very big way.
Cheaper Option
When it comes to all of these thrift shops, garage sales, swaps and much more, there are plenty of ways for you to find really cheap clothing and also being able to find free clothes. If you take a look at the price of shoes and jeans these days, you will see just how expensive clothes are starting to be. However, if you shop for used jeans, you can easily purchase more pairs of jeans, and for the same price as one new pair.
Same thing applies when you look for used shoes for sale. The number one reason to buy used clothing is that it saves you money. Instead of unloading your money on brand new clothes, when you purchase used kids clothes you are able to save so much more money for you and your family.
Used Kids Clothes Are Good Alternative
In conclusion, when it comes to used clothing, there are so many individuals who would benefit in a great way if they choose this road. When you purchase clothing from consignment shops, swaps, thrift stores, and garage sales, you are allowing for your pockets to stay full and not wasting all of your money on new clothing.
It is not only beneficial to you for you budget, but you are also helping to keep our environment safe. There are so many people who shop for used clothing, so they can save money, help other family members by passing them down, helping our environment, and ending up having a large variety of clothing that your children can be satisfied with.
How to Dress Greener: 5 Reasons to Shop at Thrift Stores
Thrift Store Shopping Has become a Way of Life for Many People
The average American throws away 70 pounds of clothing every year. Many consider “shop ‘til you drop” a philosophy of life but that lifestyle comes at a high cost.
By the end of the 1990s – the golden years of shopping – shoppers were scooping up about 65 garments per person annually. Who doesn’t love a good sale?
Changing trends, new manufacturing technologies and low prices prompted many American to indulge in “fast fashion” and over-consume clothing, but then the tide turned. Two recessions led many people to rethink their need for a closet full of new clothes.
For some, conscious consumerism had supplanted the philosophy of overconsumption and many people started shopping less. Not everyone curbed their over consumptive fashionable ways, though. Eighteen years later and on average, consumers purchase 60 percent more items of clothing than they did in 2000, however, each garment is kept half as long.
Many used garments end up in landfills – the average American throws away about 70 pounds of clothing each year – this is roughly the equivalent of 191 t-shirts per person – and they recycle or donate only about 15 percent of their used clothing. That’s too bad, because thrifting – buying clothes at a thrift store – is definitely having a moment that doesn’t show signs of ending soon.
Thrift store shopping has many benefits for people and the planet – here are five reasons why you should consider thrifting for both recycling and buying your clothes.
Thrifting Reduces Water Footprints and Uses Fewer Chemicals
Water is involved in almost every stage of clothing production. It takes water to grow cotton: it takes up to 2,700 liters (713 gallons) of water to grow the cotton needed to make one t-shirt; a pair of jeans takes over 8,000 liters of water.
In addition, cotton is an extremely pesticide-intensive crop. The pesticides can often contaminate ground and surface water. Extensive pesticide usage leads to soil acidification and agricultural run-off, which causes hypoxia in nearby surface waters and subsequently disrupts ecosystems.
Decreasing demand for new cotton decreases the need for pesticides.
Thrifting Uses Less Energy
It takes energy to transport cotton from farms to textile manufacturing facilities, to retailers and ultimately to consumers. Within the manufacturing process, a lot of energy consumption occurs during washing, de-sizing, bleaching, rinsing, dyeing, printing and finishing processes. It also takes water to produce the electricity used to power all these processes.
Throwing clothes in a landfill also requires energy. Buying secondhand from athrift store in Destin, FL, keeps clothes out of landfills which saves energy. In fact, a 2007 study found that recycling or reusing cotton clothing uses just 2.6 percent of the energy required to manufacture a garment from virgin materials.
Finally, as use of cotton in garments has slowed, use of polyester has jumped. Polyester has its origins in both natural and synthetic (think ‘oil and gas’) sources. Experts estimate that 98 percent of future fabrics will be synthetic and 95 percent of those synthetics will be polyester. As demand for clothing increases, demand for synthetic polyester fabric will increase and that brings with it all the environmental issues associated with oil and gas.
Thrifting Creates More Thoughtful Consumption
According to the EPA Office of Solid Waste, Americans threw away about 65 pounds of clothing per person in 2015. That adds up to about 16 million tons of clothing and textiles every year.
Shopping at thrift shops can help consumers make more thoughtful purchases. They can ask themselves, “Will I actually wear this? Will it go out of style? Do I truly need it?”
Thrifting is Cheaper
The average American consumer spends $1,000 to $2,000 each year on clothing, but wears only about twenty percent of what’s in their closet. While thrifting generally takes more time and consideration, it saves money, as long as people don’t “bargain overload” and don’t buy unnecessary pieces.
Thrifting Gives Back to the Community
National thrift stores like Goodwill provide career support for the disabled. Here is a national directory of charity-driven thrift stores, and a list of thrift shops around the United States to check out. Consignment stores, flea markets and vintage shops also sell recycled clothing.
Difference Between a Thrift Shop and a Resale Shop
Every entrepreneur knows the value of research, just as every entrepreneur appreciates the value of a strong gut instinct. If you want to launch a new small business, it’s no wonder that both forces are pulling at you to open a consignment store.
As you discuss the idea with people – and especially bankers or investors – it’s important that you be specific about your intentions and careful with your word choices. Other people may use “consignment store” and its word cousins interchangeably, but you may wish to set people straight – and set the best example.
See Through ‘The Heap’
Encourage your audience to be patient because the following delineation remains thorny for only a short time: If you were viewing the nomenclature of this retail segment as a tall heap of clothing, “secondhand” would be at the top. As the Leo Hamel Boutique says, “all second-hand stores have something in common: they make it possible for buyers to save money.” Next in the heap would be “resale shops,” followed by “consignment shops” and “thrift stores.”
You still may see a random sign in front of a “secondhand” or “resale” store, but the terms have largely fallen out of favor. This leaves two distinguishable categories: consignment and thrift shops.
Old habits die hard, so expect to hear some people invoke all four terms as if they mean the same thing. But you won’t, especially after you’re clear on the differences in how these two entities operate and what they sell.
Thrift stores depend on donations to raise money and are most likely to accept clothing, furniture, home décor items, small kitchen appliances, plates, glasses and dishes, electronics, books, movies, baby products and toys to stock their shelves. Thrift stores aren’t known for being choosy and usually accept every donation offered to them since ultimately, the tagged price is meant to reflect the condition of the merchandise.
Thrift stores aim to turn over their stock quickly and so are known to offer bargains: Men’s dress shirts for, say, $3.99 each and four hardcover books or two DVDs for $1, Pocket Sense says.
For shoppers, the thrift store dynamic can be a literal mixed bag and almost entirely a matter of luck and good timing: You can leave with a shopping cart filled with dazzling products boasting designer labels – or nothing but the water bottle you came with.
Consignment Shops Are No Thrift Shop Synonym
In truth, the same scenario could unfold at a consignment shop. But if you’re leaning toward opening a business, a consignment shop is probably what you have in mind. Unlike thrift stores, consignment shops usually have high selection standards, meaning that an item must be in nearly perfect condition and manufactured by a top company.
Or as Leo Hamel puts it, the shops will accept only “pre-owned luxury goods that are in mint condition.” If they’re not, the items are politely declined. If they’re accepted, and they sell, the person who brought the item to the shop shares in a percentage of the sale.
Consignment shops tend to emphasize women’s clothing, shoes and jewelry – a niche that is growing and may look particularly appealing against the sad backdrop of the many retail giants that are filing for bankruptcy or closing.
Ironically, at least two of these giants – Macy’s and J.C. Penney – are poised to bring “used” clothing into their brick-and-mortar stores, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. You can surmise your own theories about why such experienced retailers would want “pre-owned” clothing competing virtually alongside their brand-new offerings. But this development ought to tell you something – while probably confirming your already-strong gut instinct.
How To Properly Clean And Care For Secondhand Clothing
1. Ask about the store’s sourcing
The first step to finding a beautiful and safe vintage clothing item is vetting the retailer or business providing secondhand pieces. Most vintage boutiques or independent vendors have a thorough vetting process of their own, though it never hurts to politely inquire about it when perusing a selection of pre-loved beauties.
2. Inspect the garment carefully for damage and stains
When searching for new-to-you wares at thrift stores in Destin, FL first look for any obvious blemishes like large stains, holes, or overly-stretched fabric. While these are not sure signs of an irrevocably damaged garment, they can help lead you in the right direction. Next, employ your sense of smell.
You don’t have to get too up close and personal to understand if a clothing item is emitting an unpleasant odor, and it will immediately tell you if that piece has been properly washed—or has a more permanent smell.
Ultimately, the vetting process is up to you and your best judgment. These items are likely to be imperfect, though that isn’t always a sign of poor care on the previous owner’s part, it’s just indicative of a garment which has been put to good use.
3. How to remove stains on secondhand clothing
If you’ve brought home a piece which needs a little work, have no fear because the internet truly does have all the answers. From ink to sweat stains there is a myriad of ways to treat your vintage wares without having to introduce chemical cleaners into the mix.
Baking soda, like vinegar, is a household product which can work wonders on stains in and outside of your wardrobe. Hydrogen peroxide is a low-impact liquid which can wipe away blemishes. Even lemons can be used to naturally rid your clothing of unsightly spots!
Just be sure to do a quick internet search for your specific stain removal needs before running your clothing under hot water or blotting—in some cases, like oil or protein-based stains, it makes things worse. If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop stain remover, brands like Buncha Farms sell natural stain removal sticks.
4. How to machine wash pieces carefully
So, you’ve found a gorgeous item worth caring for and you’re ready to bring it home! No matter where you buy your vintage or secondhand items from, it’s always smart to clean them before your first wearing. If the piece has a visible care label follow those instructions carefully, making sure not to ruin your new find.
To ensure absolute obliteration of harmful germs, you’ll want to add some vinegar to your washing process, along with detergent.
5. Hand wash if care instructions are missing
In some cases, the care label will be nowhere to be found (as they weren’t introduced until the early 1970s) or illegible (washing can fade the writing over time). When you encounter a vintage item which has no instructions on how to correctly clean it, a safer plan B is to hand wash with natural detergents and stain removers.
Castile soap is usually my preferred hand washing assistant, especially since only a small amount of the liquid is required to do a thorough job, and the substance can be used in various other ways. Just like with the machine washing option, you’ll want to add a little germ-killing vinegar to your water as well.
6. Finding a green dry cleaner for intricate pieces
In some cases, you might purchase an intricate piece (think sequins, lace, or detailed embroidery) which feels too delicate to handle on your own. This is where dry cleaning can be plan C. It’s important to note here that traditional dry cleaning utilizes tons of harmful chemicals which can be unhealthy for you and the environment. Sidestep the hazard of going to “regular” dry cleaners and instead find a green one.
A simple search online will usually lead you to a reliable business in your city or town, although some areas around the country may require a bit more investigation. Make sure to check their website for information on what kind of products they do or don’t use, if they recycle their hangers, and what kinds of items they accept. These businesses are also fantastic resources if you just have questions about certain fabrics, cleaning processes, or safe stain removal.
Many major organizations are urging people to go green, and they’re offering some pretty compelling reasons. The unsustainable practices of people around the world are affecting the food supply, wildlife, and even our health. Luckily, these organizations also offer tips on how to make simple, sustainable changes in your life.
It can be tough to go green and live sustainably. However, the benefits are well worth the challenge – especially once you understand the bigger impacts of your everyday actions.
Whether you’re looking to slowly ease into a greener lifestyle or go all in right away, there are plenty of quick and easy ways to do so.
Here are a few organizations that will help you on your path to greener living.
The Center for Biological Diversity
The Center for Biological Diversity is a huge supporter of green living. Its mission is to save all life on Earth by protecting the environment and climate, and it recognizes the role that sustainability plays in this. That’s why it encourages people to go green.
The Center offers a large collection of resources to help people live a greener life. These resources cover a variety of topics such as improving the energy efficiency of your home, going plastic-free, and even voting for sustainability.
It has also launched a project called Endangered Species Condoms. This project educates people about how rapid human population growth and overconsumption are affecting all living things on Earth.
By keeping the human population in check, more resources are freed up for the other creatures we share the planet with. It might not be the most well-known tip for living a more sustainable life, but practicing safe sex is definitely something to consider when going green.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) protects the health of our nation. It’s also interested in green initiatives. That’s because the choices you make every day -from what you eat to how you get to work – can have a huge impact on the environment and ultimately affect your health.
According to the World Health Organization, “13 million deaths annually and nearly a quarter of all disease worldwide… are due to environmental causes that could be avoided or prevented.” Many health issues are worsened by a poor environment, including asthma and heart disease.
The CDC provides in-depth information about how your health is affected by the environment. It also offers great tips for living a cleaner, greener lifestyle, such as using alternative transportation, conserving water and energy, and making more sustainable food purchases.
World Wildlife Fund
The World Wildlife Fund (WWF) is a conservation organization that works to help all life on Earth thrive. To do this, it’s “championing sustainable solutions.”
Many of the resources from WWF provide a big picture view of what the global community is doing to combat climate change. This includes initiatives like improving global forest management and building a low-carbon economy.
WWF also gives tips for practicing sustainability on a personal level. If you want to show your commitment to a greener lifestyle, you can even sign the organization’s Pledge for the Planet. WWF is another great resource for information about how our choices have an impact far beyond our own lives.
Your Local Government
The best tools for going green are often right in your own backyard. Many city and county governments have their own projects and resources to help anyone looking to live more sustainably. You just have to know where to look.
For example, Hayward, California, manages a program called Green Your Life. It provides all the information you need to go green, from reducing chemicals in your home to going solar.
Additionally, the program offers several educational workshops on topics like water-efficient landscaping and financing renewable energy sources. There is even a monthly newsletter to help you stay on track.
Whether you’re in the Hayward area or not, Green Your Life is an excellent resource. If you live elsewhere, chances are your city (or one nearby) has a similar program to help you go green as well.
How Will You Go Green?
Living a more sustainable life is a challenging task. Fortunately, there are plenty of organizations that are more than happy to help. Packed with information and useful tips, their websites will likely push you in a greener direction.
You don’t have to completely transition to a fully sustainable lifestyle right away – or even at all – if you don’t want to. The trick is finding manageable ways to go green that works for your lifestyle. These days, it’s easier than ever to get started. The easiest way is a donation. Donate old stuff or goods to your local thrift store in Panama City Beach, FL. Not only you will go green but you will also serve the community as these stores are run by non-profit organizations.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle: A Creative Spin on an Age-Old Concept
We’ve been hearing “reduce, reuse, recycle” since the 1970s. Admittedly, even though familiar concepts like using reusable shopping bags and going paperless are still effective, the same ideas are getting kind of old.
Luckily, you can find plenty of awesome new ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle that complement the tried-and-true methods while also getting your creative – and sustainable – juices flowing.
Here is your go-to guide for bringing reduce, reuse, recycle into the 21st century.
Get Crafty
Most kids enjoy making fun crafts out of old milk cartons or cereal boxes on Earth Day. But crafts don’t just have to be for kids. And you don’t have to wait until April 22nd to do them.
In fact, there’s no reason we can’t all embrace our creative sides every day while we reduce, reuse, and recycle!
Repurpose Old Denim
Whether it be a jacket, a dress, or a pair of jorts – yes, jean shorts – a lot of people wear denim. As a result, denim is a big contributor to the textile waste that makes up 8% of landfills. Donate your denim stuff to thrift shops in Panama City Beach, FL if you feel that you no longer want to use it.
Fortunately, the durable material is perfect for repurposing into rugs, aprons, pillow covers, and more!
Eye-catching denim decor will save you money, cut down on waste, and maybe even act as a conversation starter for house guests.
Give New Life to Used Coffee Grounds
Most people wash their coffee grounds down the drain or toss them into the garbage can. They can still be useful, though, after you’ve brewed yourself a hot cup of wake-up juice.
If you’re into DIY projects, turn your coffee grounds into caffeinated soaps or coffee-scented candles!
If you prefer something a bit more practical, you can also use coffee grounds to keep bugs off of your plants and to eliminate odors – like garlic or onion – from your hands.
Whichever you choose, coffee grounds are a fantastic way to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Reuse Empty Pill Bottles
You probably have at least one empty orange pill bottle lying around the house that you’re tempted to recycle.
Although they are recyclable, their small size makes them difficult for recycling centers to process, according to Consumer Reports. An even better alternative is to use them for something new.
Empty pill bottles have proven to be very versatile. As it turns out, they’re the perfect size for traveling! You can fill them with cotton swabs, hairpins, or even shampoo and lotion – provided they seal tightly.
Additionally, you can use your pill bottles to organize screws or other small parts, or even to make yourself a small DIY survival kit.
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle in the Garden
A garden – whether at a community plot or in your backyard – is a great addition to any lifestyle that can provide fresh fruits, veggies, and herbs, give you a new hobby, and even improve heart health and hand strength.
Unfortunately, gardening still creates some waste (from water usage to mulch to discarded prunings), but here are a few ways you can reduce, reuse, and recycle in your garden.
Start Composting
Composting is one of the best ways to reduce food waste while simultaneously returning nutrients to the Earth.
In general, try to avoid putting meat and fish products in compost, as they can attract unwanted pests. On the other hand, banana peels, eggshells, tea leaves, and more are all excellent nutrient-boosting additions to your compost pile.
Furthermore, you can collect (cooled) wood ashes from the fireplace and add them to your compost. According to the University of Vermont’s Department of Plant and Soil Science, ashes add valuable nutrients to the soil while keeping it from getting too acidic.
Be a “Grasscycler”
A green lawn can serve as the foundation for many fun activities – like a pickup soccer game or a nice afternoon picnic. Unfortunately, with increasing water and fertilizer costs, maintaining your lawn can also be expensive.
Don’t worry, though. There are plenty of ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle that benefit your lawn.
Grasscycling is exactly what it sounds like: grass + recycling. To “grasscycle,” all you have to do is leave your grass clippings on the lawn when you’ve finished trimming it, so they can nourish your yard’s soil instead of ending up in a landfill.
In addition to grasscycling, leaving grass a little longer, especially in the hot summer months, can help save water. Longer grass means more shade on the soil, which prevents water from evaporating before it’s absorbed. As a bonus, it can even help curb weed growth.
How Will You Reduce, Reuse, Recycle?
From denim aprons to caffeinated soap, and from composting to grasscycling, you can find plenty of contemporary ways to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Although they won’t replace already established methods – like cutting back on single-use plastics – these ideas will help you reduce waste at home and in your community. They may even put a smile on your face while you do them.
How to Live Sustainably in 2021: Resolutions for You, the Community, & the Planet
A little less than two weeks into 2021, many of us are still trying to figure out our resolutions. With plenty of possibilities in mind, likely one of the most pressing questions driving resolutions will be how to live sustainably in this new year.
Eco-friendly resolutions are powerful, but living sustainably isn’t all about the environment. A sustainable resolution may also be one that benefits yourself or your community. Finding the right balance is key to setting a successful goal.
This year, get started on the right foot by setting a solid, sustainable resolution!
Green Resolutions for Sustainable Living
The evidence surrounding climate change is unequivocal. We need to do something about it, and making a New Year’s resolution that supports the environment is a great way to start.
If you’ve read Reel Talk before, there’s a good chance you already know a lot about how to live sustainably. In case you’ve forgotten, though, here are a few simple yet impactful changes you can make to help the planet.
Shop locally and eat in-season to support local farmers and reduce food mileage.
Use sustainable kitchen essentials to minimize waste, reduce toxins, and maximize flavor.
Make your own compost to feed your garden with rich nutrients.
Download a green mobile app to kickstart your green goals.
Put plants in your bathroom for some green pieces of toxin-cleansing decor.
Switch to bamboo toilet paper and paper towels to protect our world’s forests.
Now, all you have to do is incorporate one or a few of these changes into your resolution. For example, your resolution could look something like “This year, I want to eat in-season fruits and veggies that I’ve grown myself using homemade compost.”
Take your knowledge of how to live sustainably and find something you’re interested in doing. You’ll never make it if you’re forcing yourself to do something you hate.
Resolutions for Helping the Community
When exploring how to live sustainably, you’ll find that helping others plays a significant role. After all, there is a fairly substantial humanitarian side to sustainability. If the goal is to make the world a better place, we can’t forget about the people who live here.
A resolution focused on helping others is a great way to support communities locally and around the world.
Volunteer at local food banks, libraries, and more.
Play Free Rice and donate food to children by answering questions.
Give blood, if you’re able, with organizations like the Red Cross.
Check-in on your neighbors to make sure everyone is doing alright – especially when times are tough.
These small acts can positively change lives, and in some cases, even save them. For anyone curious about how to live sustainably this year, consider resolutions having to do with helping others.
Bettering Yourself with Your Resolution
The classic New Year’s resolution is focused on improving yourself, and there’s nothing wrong with that. A big part of learning how to live sustainably is getting yourself to a place where you’re content.
Unfortunately, many resolutions of self-improvement fail, and that’s likely because they’re too general. Resolutions like “Get fit” or “Eat healthy” are great, in theory, but what does getting fit or eating healthy actually entail?
The key here is specificity. Outline what exactly it is that you want to do.
Eat a serving of vegetables with every meal.
Do 30 minutes of yoga a day for five days a week.
Get 10 minutes of sunlight and fresh air for every hour of work.
Start a hydration schedule and stick to it.
Reduce screen time by one hour per day.
Meditate for 30 minutes every morning.
Each of these specific changes is far less intimidating than an overly generalized goal. When your resolutions are specific, your chances of success improve.
Furthermore, resolutions that make you happier and healthier also make you more capable of helping others and the planet. So if your resolution is focused on self-improvement, don’t be ashamed – get out there and succeed!
How to Live Sustainably in 2021
Resolutions having to do with the planet, the community, and yourself are not mutually exclusive. Learning how to live sustainably involves all of these together. Perhaps you could combine one or a few goals to create a resolution that tackles all three!
For instance, “This year, I’m going to reduce screen time by an hour every day, and I’m going to dedicate 30 minutes each toward playing Free Rice and using a green app.”
That’s just one of the endless possibilities. Get creative, and come up with a resolution that’s fun and of interest to you. When you truly enjoy what you’re doing, there’s no way you can fail.
Steve Clark 