4 Ways to Reduce Waste

WATER BOTTLES

The Facts:

More than 100 million plastic bottles are used worldwide each day - approximately 2.5 million bottles thrown out every hour and 1,500 going in landfills or the ocean each second. There is actually an area in the Pacific Ocean the size of Texas known as The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, which is composed entirely of plastic.

Do Your Part:

Use a reusable water bottle (glass or metal) instead of buying plastic. You will save money and help save the planet!

COFFEE CUPS

The Facts:

Americans consume an estimated 400 million cups of coffee per day or 146 billion cups per year. 25 billion styrofoam coffee cups are thrown away in the US each year (styrofoam cannot be completely recycled and will still be present in landfills 500 years from now).

Do Your Part:

Take a reusable coffee cup (commonly known as a keep cup) with you to the coffee shop. You’ll save hundreds of cups per year and often times a few dollars on your bean from coffee shops who care about the environment!

RAZORS

The Facts:

The EPA estimates that 2 billion razors are thrown away each year. Considering that you can’t recycle disposable razors in the US, they may be the most wasteful product we use in the bathroom. You can recycle the steel blades (check with your local recycling center first), but the typical disposable razor is going to the landfill. When the average person shaves daily and most don’t consider razors wasteful, it’s time we get shave smart.

Do Your Part:

Use a reusable steel razor with switchable blades. No plastic, no worries! You can find plenty of sustainable razors online.

SUNGLASSES

The Facts:

Sunglasses are just one more item that get tossed in the bin when they’re broken or damaged. Everyone owns at least one pair of shades, which means there are billions in existence and ultimately in landfills.

Do Your Part:

Don’t just replace your damaged sunglasses - fix them. Sunglass lenses are easily replaced, and can be repaired at home with little effort and at a fraction of the cost of purchasing a new pair. Sunglass Fix is an Australian company with over 100,000 quality replacement lens options, custom lenses available for any frame and free worldwide shipping. Check them out before tossing your favourite designer shades: /