Tips from Sara Boccaccini Meadows and Eduardo Garcia’s book “Things You Can Do”
Opening up a conversation about fighting climate change and reducing waste can be as easy as saying you want to open up a conversation about fighting climate change and reducing waste. 😉 We’ll say it – we wanna talk about it! There’s no right or wrong way to do it. It’s all about getting curious, and believing that the small changes that you can make, matter!
In light of Earth Day and our new Bocaccini Meadows Collection, our Esembly team read, dog eared and re-read the beautifully written and illustrated “Things You Can Do” book by Eduardo Garcia and Sara Bocaccini Meadows. The tips and resources empower busy families to consider how decisions around consumption and energy use affect our environment, as well as provide simple and practical tips for reducing waste, evaluating our consuming habits, and fighting climate change. Because small changes made at scale not only add up to making big change, but also create shifts in the energy and attitude behind the changes. It all starts with believing that the choices we make matter.
In this blog post, we’ll cover 4 easy ways to reduce waste in your home, and make a collective positive change for our planet.
Things You Can Do to Reduce Food Waste: Love Your Leftovers
Many folks don’t realize that food scraps and yard waste make up about a third of a household's total waste, which then releases methane when they end up in the landfill. Some estimates suggest that this food waste generates about 8% of all human-caused greenhouse gasses.
As you can imagine, not only is wasting food bad for the environment, but it’s also a huge waste of money! We’re constantly being encouraged to buy more here in America, when really we need to be encouraged (and encouraging others!) to make the most of what we do buy, both for our wallets and our planet.
Hot Tip: Cover your leftovers with our reusable, machine-washable Bowl Caps instead of wasteful and expensive plastic wrap.
Things You Can Do to Shop in an Environmentally Friendly Way
Buy Things That Last
Think of your purchases as investments, not just in the products themselves but also in the sustainability of our planet. While it may be a more expensive investment, high quality products made with craftsmanship have a longer lifespan. And if you buy an item you really like, you’re more likely to keep it longer.
Next time you’re mulling over a purchase, consider these questions to help you invest in things that will last:
- What’s it made from? Take a peek at the materials. Opt for products crafted from strong, eco-friendly materials like metal, wood, natural fibers, or recycled materials. Steer clear of anything loaded with disposable plastics or flimsy components.
- How was it put together? Consider the manufacturing process. Was it made in a way that’s kind to the planet and fair to workers? Look for any signs or information indicating eco-friendly practices.
- Does it seem built to last? Give it a good once-over. Does it appear sturdy and well-crafted? Any obvious weak spots or parts that might give out? Items designed for longevity usually visually have a pretty solid construction, durable features, and maybe even repair options.Trust your gut!
Hot Tip: Our diapers can be reused with multiple babies, and then resold in our Pre-Loved Marketplace.
Buy In Bulk and Refill whenever possible
Choosing bulk purchases is a win-win for both your wallet and the environment. By opting for larger quantities of items you already frequently use, you're not only cutting down on packaging waste but also reducing the frequency of trips to the store or deliveries! Less packaging = less plastic waste ending up in landfills or oceans, and fewer transportation emissions from multiple small purchases.
Plus, buying in bulk often means you're getting more bang for your buck. Many times, the unit price of bulk items is lower than their individually packaged counterparts, saving you money in the long run.
Hot Tip: If you are ever given the opportunity to buy refillable products, do it! Doing so further reduces excessive packaging waste AND saves you even more money! Our Washing Powder and Wipe Up Wash being great examples.
Place fewer, bigger orders
Placing bigger orders less frequently helps reduce carbon emissions associated with online shopping. If a brand you love or products you use often is having a sale, take it as an opportunity to order what you’ll need for a few months rather than just a small order to get you buy a few weeks. This will greatly reduce both shipping materials and transit emissions.
Things You Can Do to Reduce the Carbon Impact of Your Diet: Shop Local
Local foods are fresher and taste better! The farther the food has to travel to get to you = more carbon* and less flavor 😋. “If you live in North America, chances are the avocados, bananas, coffee, and cocoa that you buy are produced thousands of miles away” shares Garcia. (Thing You Can Do, Chapter 3) This means that many of the products available in supermarkets are not only often times transported by air, but they are also part of the cycle that keeps meat monopolies and industrial farms powerful, as they rely on supermarkets to sell their products.
*When we talk about "carbon" in the context of environmental impact, we're often referring to carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. It's what's behind climate change, making the planet warmer by trapping heat in the air.
When you shop local, you disrupt this cycle by investing in local farmers, and lowering your own carbon footprint.
Need help finding local foods near you? Explore joining a CSA! You can use the link below to access the CSA (Community-Supported Agriculture) Directory, which lists farms that offer consumers regular access to locally-grown farm products. Local Food Directory
Hot Tip: When shopping, ditch single use plastic bags, and bring your own!
Want More Tips?
As mentioned, the tips (and lovely illustrations!) we’ve shared here were pulled from the incredibly helpful “Things You Can Do” book written by Eduardo Garcia, and illustrated by Sara Boccaccini Meadows. If you want to know more – and do more – to save the planet, this book is for you. It’s loaded with powerful statistics, practical tips, and illustrations on every page to help everyone in your family get excited about caring for our planet.
As always, thank you for partnering with us to Live Less Disposably. Together, we can make a big impact for our planet! 🌎🙌
Want to learn more?
Our co-founders host a free, virtual, Cloth Diapering 101 class every month to help cloth-curious parents get all the tools and information they need! You’ll learn:
- How to use the Esembly diapers and accessories
- How to easily and effectively launder your Esembly diapers
- The impact that your choice has on the planet, your wallet, and your day-to-day.
You'll leave with the confidence to Live Less Disposably and a 20% discount code to use on your first order. 🥳 We hope to see you there!
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