Climate Class - A Responsible Sort
CLIMATE CLASS:
A Responsible Sort
How to compost, recycle and buy things that last—
for the earth, and for people.
Trash piling up at home? You’re not alone. This extra time at home has us accumulating more food scraps, (wine) bottles, and other treats we bought, but never really needed.
Plus, it’s all connected. Trash emits methane that directly impacts the climate. Black and Brown communities are those most affected by climate change. Therefore, we can’t be climate activists without calling for racial justice and Intersectional Environmentalism (protection of both people and the planet). What follows are some conscious changes we’re trying to practice that reduce our burden on the earth, starting at home.
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Buy to last
If there’s one thing the pandemic has taught us, it’s that we need less—and what we do need can last longer.
Before you get that “add to cart,” dopamine hit, think about what you can eliminate:
✓ Single-use, snack- and travel-sized items usually can’t be recycled. Opt instead for large, refillable soaps, cleaners, etc.
✓ Plastic produce bags—broccoli does just fine in a tote.
✓ Single-use paper towels or cleaning wipes, choose reusable cloth (or better yet, tear up an old cotton T-shirt).
More ideas:
With repair cafes and mending services temporarily closed, mend seams, patch holes and fix hems yourself instead of pitching old clothes (it’s easy!). Teaching yourself some basic home repairs can also give a second life to items in your home.We love household products that last longer—like reusable storage bags, menstrual cups to replace tampons and dryer balls instead of disposable sheets. Our favorite suppliers: The Soap Dispensary, Germantown Laundromat, Zero Shop, Package Free Shop, Woodstock Bring Your Own, Loop.
Shop and donate at second-hand stores like The Green Project or Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore Project instead of buying new. Pickle and preserve foods that would otherwise be tossed.
Right to recycle
Bottles and cans are only the beginning. Saving plastic bags, wraps and film, but not sure where to recycle them? Check Plastic Film Recycling for local drop-off locations.
Every state’s recycling program is a little different, but these are the most common cast-offs.
YES ✓
Cardboard — Flatten boxes to save room in your bin
Paper — Staples and envelope windows are OK
Plastic bottles — Keep caps screwed on tightly
Metal cans — Foil too!
Glass bottles and jars — Also great to upcycle for home organization and pickling
Shop smart
When buying products, including those in plastic, check the label for the “PCR” or post-consumer recycled content. Opt for 100% recycled paper products, which require no trees to produce. Supporting companies using the maximum amount of PCR just feels good, too.
Go pro-level
Sites like Recycle Nation and Recycle Better help tighten your at-home recycling strategy. Take it a step further by canceling unwanted junk mail. And for those pesky items (toothpaste containers, chip bags, plastic razors, clear plastic bags) that can’t go in the regular bin, try a Terracycle Box.
COMPOST CORRECTLY
Over 50% of trash in landfills could’ve had a different fate.
Bypass the trash bin and start burying your natural waste today. We love this short video breaking down why composting is so important.
Compost your (artichoke) heart out
If you have outdoor space but are wary of critters, build a bin with a lid and latch.
Throw in food scraps, grass cuttings, eggshells, coffee grounds, tea bags, leaves, paper towels, lint, hair, nail clippings, cork, and natural fibers like cotton, linen and wool.
No yard? Or live in NYC where the city halted food scrap collection and drop off? The best option for apartment dwellers is an odorless, indoor bin (popular in Japan), using a cardboard box, coco peat and rice husk ash.
We’ve also seen some ingenious food scrap ideas—like using eggshells for plant seedlings and gorgeous tiny indoor gardens. And if all else fails, move the vodka aside, and fill up your freezer with compost bags until New York resumes collecting scraps.
And stay up-to-date on the New York compost climate during Covid.
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Dig even deeper:
Follow @greengirlleah for tips on making zero waste an everyday habit
100% of donations to this month's Climate Class will go to Diversify Outdoors - promoting diversity in outdoor spaces where people of color, LGBTQIA, and other diverse identities have historically been underrepresented.
*** Special thanks to Jessica Gordon for this educational article, Sophie Fabbri for contribution of her photos, Shelly Severinghaus of Long Trail Sustainability, and Kayla Lynch of BEST for the always impeccable design. ***