Do you ever wonder how much waste you create in a day? In a month? Well, there's a challenge by @sustainable_duo that is about to start called Futuristic February. Throughout the month of February, you must save all the non-perishable waste (this includes recycled materials) that you make. At the end of the month, take a picture of it all and post it using the hashtag #FuturisticFebruary.
Does thinking about keeping all your trash for a full month make you want to vomit? Well, maybe that's a sign that you need to find ways to reduce your waste. This post will contain some easy ideas that you can start to apply and add to your routine, so that by the end of the month, you have almost nothing to show.
Firstly, what do you even throw out? Think about it for a bit and try to see if any of these items can be recycled (cardboard, clean plastic, aluminum, etc.) or composted (food waste, paper towels, napkins, etc.) instead. If that's the case, then try to hold on to your waste until you can find a recycling bin or compost bin to dispose of it. However, in this challenge, you need to keep the items you would normally recycle.
Breakfast
Are you always rushing in the morning and skip breakfast? Or you pick up something on the way? It's fine if this happens once in a while, but if it's every day then maybe you need to consider other ideas.
Some alternatives would be to eat easy things on the go. If you're the type who can't eat much in the morning, maybe consider a banana, and then compost the peel. In my case, I love to eat toast or a bagel in the morning with peanut butter. But I never have time to eat it before I have to leave. Instead, I quickly prepare it and then bring it with me in a reusable bag, like these. They are super easy to clean and maintain and can be used for other kinds of dry foods, like snacks (discussed later)!
Other ideas would be to prepare overnight oats in a mason jar and bring it with you in the morning. You can even make a smoothie for yourself to bring on the go. Also, you can buy some yogurt from Riviera. They come in glass containers that can be returned to Marche Tau or you can reuse them.
All of these ideas don't require too much time, save money, waste less and are much healthier alternatives than eating out or skipping breakfast altogether.
Lunch
I feel like lunch is one of those meals that are either the same every day for some people or completely different. If you're the type of person to eat the same thing every day, you are likely eating the easiest thing to make; sandwiches. If that's the case, how do you bring these sandwiches with you? If you're still using plastic ziplock bags, you should note that there are alternatives out there like the reusable bags I previously mentioned.
Lunch is also an excellent time to bring leftover food from the night before. By doing this, you are reducing waste and saving money. If you're the type to cook a lot and then just let it sit in the fridge for days until it goes bad and you have to throw it out, you should consider alternatives. Firstly, don't throw it out - compost it; and secondly, why not bring them for your lunches or start sharing your food with coworkers or classmates? You can take turns cooking for each other which saves time and money, and allows all food to be eaten and reduces your waste. You can also start meal prepping, where you make a bunch of meals for the week in advance and freeze or refrigerate them.
How do you bring your lunch with you? If you don't already, you can put the food in a container (preferably glass) or reusable bag. Then, if you haven't already made the switch from plastic bags, you should put your actual lunch in a reusable bag, like a lunch bag or a tote bag.
Don't know what to make for lunch? Stay tuned because I will definitely be addressing this issue in a future post.
Snacks
Are you ever unsure of what to bring as a snack? Well, some great ideas would be nuts or fruits. Whatever isn't eaten from them can be composted (shell, peel, seeds, etc.). You can bring them in a container or in a reusable snack bag, like these. I completely understand that a lot of people like to purchase granola bars, however the packaging is not recyclable and therefore it contributes to the waste created. Instead, if you really want some, you can make your own following this tasty recipe.
Restaurants
Are you the type who struggles to finish your meal when you go to a restaurant? Next time you plan on going, bring a reusable container with you! This way, when you're done eating, you can just put your leftover food in your own container and bring it with you for lunch the next day. This will result in less packaging/waste made from bringing home the styrofoam container they will give you (that is not recyclable nor compostable). If you never bring your food back with you, consider starting this. As most restaurants will just throw out the leftovers which is not only bad for the environment, but a huge waste when there's so many who can't afford a good meal. You can also bring the food to a local homeless person.
Coffee mugs
If you work, you should bring your own coffee mug with you (if they do not already provide one) to drink your warm beverages. This would be a huge help if they only provide non-reusable cups. However, I understand that most people usually go to places like Starbucks, Second Cup or Tim Hortons to get their daily drink. Think of how much waste you are making if you're throwing these cups out every day. Instead, buy yourself a reusable on the go mug, like one of these. I know that right now Couche Tard is offering coffee for $1 for those who bring their own mug, and many other cafes are willing to give a discount. Once again, helping the environment, reducing waste and saving money! You can also make your own at home and bring it with you.
Utensils/straws
Another easy switch would be bringing your own utensils and straws with you on the go! As mentioned in my previous post, you can buy bamboo utensils and straws. You can always bring your own from home. By always having these with you, you can avoid the need for single-use plastic utensils. Also, if you end up eating in a food court or something, you'll have your own utensils!
I hope that if you read this you will apply these tips to your life and in turn this will help reduce your waste if you want to take part in the challenge. If you have other ideas to reduce your waste, feel free to comment and I will add them in!
By: Bianca Deltorto-Russell
Does thinking about keeping all your trash for a full month make you want to vomit? Well, maybe that's a sign that you need to find ways to reduce your waste. This post will contain some easy ideas that you can start to apply and add to your routine, so that by the end of the month, you have almost nothing to show.
Firstly, what do you even throw out? Think about it for a bit and try to see if any of these items can be recycled (cardboard, clean plastic, aluminum, etc.) or composted (food waste, paper towels, napkins, etc.) instead. If that's the case, then try to hold on to your waste until you can find a recycling bin or compost bin to dispose of it. However, in this challenge, you need to keep the items you would normally recycle.
Breakfast
Are you always rushing in the morning and skip breakfast? Or you pick up something on the way? It's fine if this happens once in a while, but if it's every day then maybe you need to consider other ideas.
Some alternatives would be to eat easy things on the go. If you're the type who can't eat much in the morning, maybe consider a banana, and then compost the peel. In my case, I love to eat toast or a bagel in the morning with peanut butter. But I never have time to eat it before I have to leave. Instead, I quickly prepare it and then bring it with me in a reusable bag, like these. They are super easy to clean and maintain and can be used for other kinds of dry foods, like snacks (discussed later)!
Other ideas would be to prepare overnight oats in a mason jar and bring it with you in the morning. You can even make a smoothie for yourself to bring on the go. Also, you can buy some yogurt from Riviera. They come in glass containers that can be returned to Marche Tau or you can reuse them.
All of these ideas don't require too much time, save money, waste less and are much healthier alternatives than eating out or skipping breakfast altogether.
Lunch
I feel like lunch is one of those meals that are either the same every day for some people or completely different. If you're the type of person to eat the same thing every day, you are likely eating the easiest thing to make; sandwiches. If that's the case, how do you bring these sandwiches with you? If you're still using plastic ziplock bags, you should note that there are alternatives out there like the reusable bags I previously mentioned.
Lunch is also an excellent time to bring leftover food from the night before. By doing this, you are reducing waste and saving money. If you're the type to cook a lot and then just let it sit in the fridge for days until it goes bad and you have to throw it out, you should consider alternatives. Firstly, don't throw it out - compost it; and secondly, why not bring them for your lunches or start sharing your food with coworkers or classmates? You can take turns cooking for each other which saves time and money, and allows all food to be eaten and reduces your waste. You can also start meal prepping, where you make a bunch of meals for the week in advance and freeze or refrigerate them.
How do you bring your lunch with you? If you don't already, you can put the food in a container (preferably glass) or reusable bag. Then, if you haven't already made the switch from plastic bags, you should put your actual lunch in a reusable bag, like a lunch bag or a tote bag.
Don't know what to make for lunch? Stay tuned because I will definitely be addressing this issue in a future post.
Snacks
Are you ever unsure of what to bring as a snack? Well, some great ideas would be nuts or fruits. Whatever isn't eaten from them can be composted (shell, peel, seeds, etc.). You can bring them in a container or in a reusable snack bag, like these. I completely understand that a lot of people like to purchase granola bars, however the packaging is not recyclable and therefore it contributes to the waste created. Instead, if you really want some, you can make your own following this tasty recipe.
Restaurants
Are you the type who struggles to finish your meal when you go to a restaurant? Next time you plan on going, bring a reusable container with you! This way, when you're done eating, you can just put your leftover food in your own container and bring it with you for lunch the next day. This will result in less packaging/waste made from bringing home the styrofoam container they will give you (that is not recyclable nor compostable). If you never bring your food back with you, consider starting this. As most restaurants will just throw out the leftovers which is not only bad for the environment, but a huge waste when there's so many who can't afford a good meal. You can also bring the food to a local homeless person.
Coffee mugs
If you work, you should bring your own coffee mug with you (if they do not already provide one) to drink your warm beverages. This would be a huge help if they only provide non-reusable cups. However, I understand that most people usually go to places like Starbucks, Second Cup or Tim Hortons to get their daily drink. Think of how much waste you are making if you're throwing these cups out every day. Instead, buy yourself a reusable on the go mug, like one of these. I know that right now Couche Tard is offering coffee for $1 for those who bring their own mug, and many other cafes are willing to give a discount. Once again, helping the environment, reducing waste and saving money! You can also make your own at home and bring it with you.
Utensils/straws
Another easy switch would be bringing your own utensils and straws with you on the go! As mentioned in my previous post, you can buy bamboo utensils and straws. You can always bring your own from home. By always having these with you, you can avoid the need for single-use plastic utensils. Also, if you end up eating in a food court or something, you'll have your own utensils!
I hope that if you read this you will apply these tips to your life and in turn this will help reduce your waste if you want to take part in the challenge. If you have other ideas to reduce your waste, feel free to comment and I will add them in!
By: Bianca Deltorto-Russell
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