EARTHLING /ərTHliNG/ noun: an inhabitant of the Earth.
The term Earthling is holistically inclusive—it reflects our similarities, not our differences. We call ourselves Earthlings because we are of the same species, living on the same planet.
Bamboo grows very fast, so it is the perfect material for an item that needs to be replaced every three month. Unlike plastic. A plastic toothbrush is used for a couple of weeks and then stays on this planet for several hundred years, since it will not biodegrade. That makes no sense. Switch to bamboo. Plus: You can just burry the old brushes in the backyard.
Some time ago I decided to obtain a safety razor. For me the easiest way to buy it was online. So I chose a simple one with bamboo handle.
There are many advantages of switching to a safety razor:
It’s traditional and enjoyable.
It’sbetter shaving than while using disposable razor, also safety razor reduces skin irritation and ingrown hairs.
It’sless expensive. Disposable razor cost 1 to even 5$. I bought my safety razor with about 21$ and razors are really chip and fully recyclable. It’s very good way to save money.
I enjoy shaving with safety razor because of the attention I’m paying to it. It demands focus so it helps not to think about anything else. I’m taking careof myself and relaxing at the same time.
I’ve always had a problem with cutting myself while shaving, now while using safety razor I rarely do it.
Furthermoredisposable razors are not recyclable. According to the EPA 2 billions of them end up in landfills every year. Terrible, right?
To be honest I was surprised how easy is the safety razor in use and in fact it’s a lot easier to use that kind of razor. I was also impressed with that feeling after shaving when my skin felt smoother and softer than while using disposable razors!
I highly recommend it to people who don’t want to give up shaving but want to be more eco friendly.
By the way from my point of view it’s also a very good gift idea!
This is the waste I created using a safety razor for 14 months. Eight recyclable blades instead of about 30 disposable razors ;)
And I haven’t change my mind about that topic - I absolutely love my razor ;) Seriously, using it is easier than it seems!
What about you? Do you own a safety razor or look forward to obtain it? ;)
Today I made a tortilla dough for the first time in my life! Until now I have been buying ready flours in supermarkets. By making it at home I avoided unwanted packaging and ingredients :)
Buying boba at tea houses has got to be one of the biggest ways I use plastic. Between the cups and extra large straws it adds up quickly. Finally they had boba in bulk at my local Asian market after not having it for months. They’re still packaged in plastic but one bag is still less than the waste I’d make from buying it at the tea house. Now I can get back to making them at home in glass with a reusable straw using other ingredients I buy in bulk and plastic free!
The key to a greener future is building a sustainable infrastructure and implementing changes in policy. If that’s something you’re interested in forming jobs like these will be necessary to insight change!
I recently made some liquid soap for myself to refill my soap pumps! I used a soap bar I had been gifted for the holidays that wasn’t something I was interested for in the shower. I grated it on my box grater on one of the finer sides so the soap flakes would be smaller. The smaller ones seem to dissolve better when the hot water is added. I put the flakes in a bowl with a spout and added some boiling water. I mixed it until there wasn’t anymore discernable bits in the mixture. I then poured it into this growler I thrifted recently. Overnight it’ll set into a pourable liquid soap. This way I can refill any of my soap pumps as I need them. If you can’t get liquid refills that aren’t plastic free it’s a great option. You can make as much or little as you want. My favorite part is that you can use any bar soap to make any scent you’d like. This process also gives good perspective into how much water goes into liquid products. Being able to add the water yourself saves money as you are avoiding paying for all the water weight. Has anyone else tried this? I want to try it with a solid conditioner soon as I couldn’t get it to run through my hair effectively. Send me any tips y’all got!
The first rule to develop a bee-friendly backyard is to plant varieties of flowering plants that will thrive in your growing zone. However, in every backyard, front yard, garden, or homestead there are also microclimates, and it’s important to keep those in mind. Microclimates are very small areas that have a different climate from the surrounding areas.
Your property also has microclimates and you may, too, be surprised by what you can grow once you figure those out. Just look for areas that have more/less shade, slope, exposure, and wind. One clue to look for is any native vegetation that might be growing where it’s not “supposed” to. Are those areas drier? Wetter? Shady? Those answers can help you know what other plants to try, outside those specified for your zone.
Bees are attracted to certain colors
Just as you have favorite colors, bees do too. They cannot see colors in the red end of the color spectrum, so good color choices are yellow, white, purple, orange, pink, and blue. There are so many gorgeous blooms and colors to choose from and doing a bit of research online helps before you venture out to the nearest nursery.
A few flowers to consider for your own bee-friendly backyard are:
Basil
Coneflower
Fennel
Goldenrod
Lantana
Lavender
Lobelia
Lupine
Mint
Oregano
Rosemary
Salvia
Sunflowers
Sweet alyssum
Yarrow
It’s best to plant flowers that grow in clumps, rather than single blossoms on long stems and then to plant them close together. Bees are more attracted to clumps of blossoms and having them close together makes it easier for them to do their pollinating job.
There are many other colorful plants, but as you can see, both flowering herbs and food-producing plants make bees quite happy and it’s a win-win if you’re trying to grow your own food.
Think year-round, if possible
Your backyard or garden can provide pollination opportunities for bees year-round since bees need pollen and nectar throughout the year. As you begin to narrow down the types of plants that do best in your growing zone, select ones with bee-attracting colors, also check to see when they will flower. Ideally, you’ll want to have plants that flower in the spring and summer, along with those who produce blossoms in the fall and winter. Daylilies and the Lile of the Nile are both perennials and will be ready to produce blossoms again next year.
Re-think insecticides
Along with helpful insects like bees, butterflies, and ladybugs, there are also mosquitoes and other insects that we definitely do not like! However, the over-use of insecticides will also poison bees. Before reaching for an insecticide, do some research and try a natural remedy first.
Add a simple water-feature
During long, dry seasons, beekeepers have to make sure there is plenty of water in the form of a pond, fountain, pool, bird bath, or other water feature. Even bowls or jars of water are better than nothing for helping keep bees hydrated. Since bees can drown in water, add stones and pebbles to shallow dishes to prevent them from falling in water and being unable to get out.
While the easy answer to cleaning up the earth may be “Just recycle!” unfortunately, it is not that simple. Many areas do not have recycling plants available or nearby. In my own neighborhood, to be part of the recycling route, you have to pay a monthly subscription, which not everyone can afford.
Because of this, I have found myself becoming increasingly creative in the ways that I reduce waste. Below are some of my most practical tips.
1.) Containers!
Containers are very easy to reuse–whether its a glass jam jar upcycled into a trendy coffee cup, or an old mayo jar being reused as a craft supply holder, containers are my favorite reusable item. I have washed out plastic ice cream tubs and used them as flour/sugar containers and as planters. Tin cans become cute pencil holders and planters with a coat of exterior paint or a ribbon. I have used vitamin/pill bottles as bathroom organizers for Q-Tips, tweezers, and make up brushes. Cutting a milk jug in half and covering the exterior with a colorful cloth makes a handy sock/underwear organizer. The possibilities are endless!
2.) Paper Goods!
Instead of throwing away paper, look for ways to reuse and donate! Many cat shelters use newspapers for their litter box liners and are glad to take the newspapers off your hands. There are DIY tutorials online about how to make a pet mat with newspapers and fabric, also a great item to donate to shelters! Make sure to call and check with the shelter to see if they need these items before beginning any project, though. Paper can also be reused to make fire starters, beads, decoupage material, and paper mâché. You can shred it and use it as small pet bedding, as well.
3.) Plastic Bags!
It is incredibly sobering to see so many photos of plastic bags in landfills, in oceans, and around the necks of our wildlife. Easy to make and easy to throw away, plastic bags are easily a castaway product that is easier to use and not think about. After seeing my own plastic bag usage, I realized I needed to make a change. I cut plastic bags into loops, connect, and roll them into balls of “Plarn” (plastic yarn). I have been crocheting the plarn into containers and reusable grocery totes. While the prep work is a bit time consuming, making plarn is still a lot of fun, and its the perfect fidget task for me while I watch movies.
4.) Clothes!
Clothes are one of the slower biodegradable items, with the plastics of common day production making breaking down difficult. Instead of tossing out a shirt with a rip in it, or a pair of shorts with a stain, look for ways to repair it first. Sewing a flower over a stain, or using a cute stitch to seam up a tear is a great way to add character and longer life to your clothes. If clothes no longer fit or are too damaged to repair, many thrift stores (or craft clubs!) will accept them. I like to donate clothes to smaller, personally owned thrift shops before large chain shops, but any type of donating keeps clothes out of landfills! If there are no thrift shops that accept donations, churches, benefit clubs, and homeless shelters often accept items into their closets so they can give them to people who need it directly. Sometimes food kitchens will collect clothes so when visitors get a free meal, they can also get a free shirt if they need one.
5.) Electronics!
Electronics are easier to donate, if recycling is not possible, with many pick up locations by large stores or busy areas. If there are no pick up/drop off electronic places, local high schools, trade schools and the like will also accept electronics (working or not) for the students to tinker with. Women’s shelters and assisted living centers also accept (working) electronics, even if they are older. Many occupants need devices or tech related items to help them apply for jobs or learn new skills, and often these places don’t have enough to go around. Depending on what electronic you are trying to dispose of, you could use the frame (like a computer frame) as a cute planter or quirky garden decor, or paint it into an artistic piece.
These are just a few of the tips I have picked up along the way! Happy reusing and recycling, SolarPunks! Let me know what you have reused or how you have recycled it.
What have you done to reduce your carbon footprint in the last 10 months?
I’ve reduced the amount of takeaway coffee cups I use (but with COVID some coffee shops stopped accepting keepcups so that was difficult).
I’ve stopped buying prepacked lunches from Tesco and make my own lunch to bring with me to work in a lunchbox.
I’ve left my job that involved a commute so I can walk/cycle to work easily, saving the planet and my bank account! Was spending easily €100 on transport a month…
I’ve been bringing my own bags to supermarkets to do my shopping. My housemates still buy bags but I’ll reuse them and give out to them haha
I don’t think I’ve bought a plastic water bottle in over two years now, I bring my reusable water bottle everywhere, even on holidays.
