We at Enjoymeant are busy getting things off the ground, and are looking forward to an exciting 2019! A new year is when we traditionally set new resolutions for ourselves, try to change our habits, or set our minds on trying something new, something out of our comfort zone. No matter what your goals are- personally or professionally- take this time to see how you could make them a little more green. Here are some simple ways you can do your bit to make the planet a bit happier:
Single use product alternatives
If it's single use (think plastic and paper grocery bags, straws, disposable plates, cups, spoons, plastic snack and sandwich bags, coffee pods, unnecessary packaging), it's probably not worth buying and using. Yes, it's convenient, but it comes at a huge environmental cost. This is our #1 priority for 2019, and it should be yours too!
Face the facts: We buy about 1,000,000 plastic bottles per minute in total. Only about 23% of plastic bottles are recycled within the U.S. Humans use half a million straws every day, a lot of them go into the oceans and into marine animals. A whopping 100,000 marine animals are killed by plastic bags annually. Over the last ten years we have produced more plastic than during the whole of the last century!
If there's one change you are thinking of making in 2019, this is it.
Refuse and reuse
The ultimate dream is to live in a circular economy where nothing goes into the landfill. It's all about creating, using and reusing products that are made with sustainable material. This dream is unfortunately a long way off. Until we achieve this dream, take a moment to think about the four Rs: Refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle. Your green journey should start with Refusing, not with Recycling. Refusing is the first and most important R. Many times, we assume (wrongly) that if it's recyclable, we are doing the right thing. Often times, recyclable things don't get recycled. It also takes a lot of energy (think transportation, packaging, processing) to recycle and upcycle products.
What can you do? Refuse to buy products that come in unnecessary packaging. Refuse to buy battery operated toys. At a restaurant, refuse that plastic straw. Ask for water only if you need it. Make sure you only get the paper napkins and ketchup packets you need. Buy things that are made with natural, sustainable material. Swap clothes with your friends. Then move on to reducing clutter, reusing what you have, and recycling.
Try something new
It takes just a little extra effort to make small changes in your life to create a positive impact on the environment. Try that new band of eco-friendly soap. Take a ceramic coffee cup to your workplace, instead of using a disposable one. Make sure you buy the right kind of sunscreen when you go to the beach. Buy eco-friendly disposable plates instead of plastic or Styrofoam. Always keep reusable grocery bags in the car.
Fact: Americans throw away 100 billion plastic bags annually. That’s about 307 bags per person! One small change DOES go a long way. Try it for 30 days, and it'll be more of a habit and less of an inconvenience.
Get out more
Enjoy and appreciate nature. Walk to the nearest coffee shop with your friend (With your reusable cup, of course :-). Join a local conservancy group. Be involved in your community, your government. Plant more fruit and vegetables in your garden. Ask your city council to ban plastic bags. Find a cause that you are passionate about. Tell your friends and family about it, get them involved too.
Face the facts
The fact is that Climate change IS real, and we are all getting impacted by it. Earth Overshoot day comes earlier and earlier each year. This is the day when we deplete all our resources for a given year and are borrowing from our future. In 2018, the Earth Overshoot day was August 1. United States was even earlier, 15th March 2018!
Don't give up
Goals are set every year, and a lot of them get broken. Don't give up. Take each day as it comes, and get back on track with your green goals. Find things that work with your lifestyle. Make small changes. Ultimately, it' all about being mindful of what you buy, and making meaningful choices.
Wishing you all a very happy 2019!
The Enjoymeant Team
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