We live in a world filled with mass consumerism and materialism which causes enormous waste, and impacts our lives on a global scale.
Although it can be difficult to stop our purchasing habits that harm our environment, some excellent initiatives have been put into action to help. For example, as of January 2018, Montreal passed city by-law 16-051 which bans the distribution of plastic bags in stores. In addition, according to the Montreal Gazette, Starbucks will be ruling out plastic straw use by 2020. An article posted by British Columbia’s CBC news stated this summer that cities such as Seattle and Vancouver have already banned plastic straws sales and certain Montreal boroughs such as the West Island have also followed in their steps.
It must be noted that we still need national and international policy changes to save our environment and eliminate waste, but we are getting there. In the meantime, here are some small steps that we can all do to help make our world and wallets, a little greener.
All products listed can be purchased on Amazon.
Get Glassy
Instead of using plastic containers, try switching to BPA-free, glass containers. The Mayo Clinic writes that BPA stands for bisphenol A. It is a chemical that coats the inside of numerous plastic products and can cause hormonal imbalances, infertility, male impotence and heart disease, to name a few. Infants and children are especially susceptible to the effects of BPA. However, using glass containers are a completely safe way to store your food because they do not contain any of the harmful chemicals found in plastic ones. Glass containers are also freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe.
Glass containers may seem to be a costly purchase, but their durability will save you money, the environment and your health in the long run.
Ditch Plastic Food Bags
Although these bags are very convenient, they are incredibly wasteful. With just one packed lunch, I found myself using between two and three of these baggies a day and then throwing them out. A great substitute to plastic bags are beeswax food wraps. They are reusable for up to a year, easy to wash and biodegradable. They can store all kinds of food and can even be used as lids for dishes. I use a brand called Bee’s Wraps, which are made from sustainably sourced beeswax, jojoba oil and tree resin. Simply hand wash with a bit of dish soap, leave to dry and you’re good to go! They are also way cuter than plastic zip bags and are sold in a variety of sizes and prints.
BYOB – Bring Your Own Bottle (And Coffee Cup)
The Council of Canada notes that 65 million plastic water bottles end up in landfills each year. In some areas, landfills even account for 80% of discarded plastic water bottles. Try buying a stainless steel or glass water bottle that will last you a lifetime! This is an especially easy investment if you’re a student. Many universities, such as Concordia, have water bottle fill-up stations all around campus. Some of the stainless steel brands that are BPA-free and super lightweight include Hydro Flask, Cognito and Klean Kanteen.
Disposable coffee cups produce similar waste effects. According to CBC news, 14 billion coffee cups are used and thrown out annually across Canada. Zero Waste Concordia’s website states that our school alone produces 60 tonnes of coffee cups are sent to the landfill per year. Luckily, purchasing a reusable coffee mug can be a wonderful way to help combat this waste. KeepCup is a popular brand and has all sorts of colours and sizes, customisable to your caffeine needs.
Zero Waste. Period.
If you’re someone who menstruates, you know all too well that tampons and pads can be a massive monthly expense. According to Canadian Menstruators, a campaign created to end the luxury tax on menstrual products, the average Canadian spends $65.82 per year on tampons and pads. The Tampax website states that tampons are made of a mix of rayon and cotton and should not be flushed down the toilet. They can cause septic system problems and cannot be processed by water waste treatments plants. In addition, tampons can take upwards of six months to biodegrade.
A more sustainable choice to tampons are menstrual cups, such as the Diva Cup. It is made out of silicone and free of latex, dyes, BPA and bleached rayon. Menstrual cups can be worn for up to 12 hours, while the average tampon needs to be changed every 4-8 hours. Simply wash the Diva Cup twice a day with warm water and antibacterial soap. At the end of your cycle, just boil it in water for 5-10 minutes. Menstrual cups can last up to 10 years and cost only around $30. That’s a massive saving from tampons alone.
If you’re not into insertable style mensural products, reusable pads such as the brand Lunapads, are a terrific alternative. Their website states that 2 million pads go into landfills every single month and take hundreds of years to biodegrade. To care for your reusable pads, just throw them in the wash when you’re done and you’re good to go! They also come in different colours and sizes, unique to your period needs. Prices start as low as $5.99.
Of course, no one is perfect when it comes to living sustainably. We all contribute to waste in one way or another, but hopefully these products will help you take some steps to living an eco-friendly life.
Edited by: Amanda Cloutier-Santos