I’m the first to rant about plastic and the gravity of our unhealthy relationship with it, so I was slightly surprised to discover that the most littered item in the world isn’t actually plastic (Well, technically it is, but we’ll get to that.)
It’s cigarette butts.
Yup, those tiny little synthetic pieces that are supposed to “filter out” the harmful substances from tobacco are themselves causing irreparable harm elsewhere.
I can’t believe that wasn’t my first thought, but I think we have been desensitized to the point where cigarette butts aren’t even considered litter because it’s assumed that it’s okay since they’re found on the ground almost anywhere. And on top of that, people are rarely ever punished for tossing them on the ground.
In a 2009 cleanup, the Ocean Conservancy removed 1,362,741 cigarettes and butts, 18,555 lighters, 74,399 cigar tips, and 36,397 tobacco packages from U.S. waterways.
It has become so commonplace to treat the earth as one giant ashtray never out of reach that it’s more surprising to see someone find a proper place of disposal nowadays than to see them toss the butt on the ground without even looking. …
If you have ever worked in a restaurant, you have probably witnessed the overwhelming amount of waste that sometimes seems inevitable.
But, here’s the thing. It doesn’t have to end up as true “waste” in a landfill. It can be turned into something valuable while also dramatically reducing the environmental impact of that waste.
Let’s pause for a quick science refresher.
Greenhouse gases have different capabilities of holding heat in the atmosphere. …
Think you need to get your hands dirty to help clean up our planet?
Not at all! Composting can divert up to 30% of your waste while reducing your greenhouse gas emissions and producing enriched soil for your plants.
Let’s explore some ways you can compost while keeping your home clean and making the planet even cleaner.
Wait, but first- what exactly is composting?
Composting is essentially creating an environment to speed up the natural decomposition process. Compost is just deCOMPOSed (see it now?) organic matter that helps to enrich soil and create a better environment for plants. Some gardeners even it “black gold” because it helps to grow healthier plants with less resources and no pesticides.
Ok, but why should I let a bunch of food rot in my kitchen?
Great question. It’s easy to assume that food scraps are natural, so they should just decompose eventually, right? …
Ever wonder just how much effort, resources, and sacrifice went into creating the last aluminum can you drank out of?
One of the major tenets of sustainable living that completely altered my perspective has been attempting to use a cradle-to-grave approach for each item (give or take a lot- let’s be honest) that I obtain and dispose of. Life-cycle analysis is often used as a technique to assess the environmental impacts of an item, not merely when it enters the landfill (or hopefully doesn’t), but throughout each stage of its life from “cradle” to “grave.”
This approach lets you look at the bigger picture to see the entire web of processes, costs, and consequences that an item can have instead of just a price tag. …
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