Save More
Government incentives can create more products that sometimes seem cheaper than recycling, but the costs to society are not included in the price the consumer pays. Instead we pay through our taxes through higher health care costs for people suffering from air pollution, in oil well decommissioning, or in the increased costs of insurance due to extreme weather caused by climate change.
How can you reduce the amount of stuff you buy that quickly becomes waste?
What Is One Thing You Can Do?
Bringing your own containers, buying bulk (package free), growing your own food and buying local have a large impact on waste reduction. These practices also save you money. Start with one thing that you are you passionate about. Come back in a month and choose something else. You will be part of the wave of change that will make a difference. Everyone has something they can do.
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Bring Your Own Bag
I have learned that I need to keep my re-usable bags in the car so I don’t forget them. I use them for more than just groceries now.
I recently made produce bags out of old t-shirts, reducing the amount of plastic in my life.
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Refill It
Most packaging is designed for a single use. We haven’t yet figured out how to recapture these resources effectively. Until then, I am using re-fillable containers as much as possible.
London recently joined the Loop network - where you can order items in refillable containers like Haagen-daz ice cream (deposit required).
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Zero Waste
London has its first zero-waste grocery store ReImagine Co. where you can bring your own containers. No single-use packaging, just plant-based food that’s local, organic, fresh and affordable.
You have heard of the 3-Rs, but have you heard of the 6-Rs? Introducing 3 more ways to be green
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Re-usable Take-out Containers
I hesitate to order take-out because I don’t want to create more packaging waste - especially styrofoam which is not recycled in London.
London now has access to a re-fillable packaging company: A Friendlier Company. Ask your favourite take-out place to use these. They are returnable for deposit credit wherever they are used - simply swipe the barcode and drop in the collection bin (clean of course).
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Re-Use and Donate
You won’t believe the stuff that you don’t want, but others can use. Search for your nearest community on Facebook like: Buy Nothing Old North/Woodfield/Downtown. Consider donating to your local Mission Store. They are a social enterprise and run a community voucher program which provides families and individuals in need with free clothing/household articles used by 70+ referring community partners. Over the past 8 years we have distributed goods totaling over $2,750,000.
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$ave Money - Buy $mart
Think twice before buying that next piece of new clothing. Do you really need it? Will you be wearing it beyond the next few months?
Consider buying gently used clothing or support brands that produce clothing in a sustainable way and use recycled material.
Learn more about fashion waste
www.clothingworks.ca provides re-used working clothes
Need a Little More Inspiration?
What difference can one person make? Every action has an impact. Tell us what you are doing and share your story.
Science Moms - CPC
Science moms offers some ideas for you. Breaking away from CPC (“cheap plastic crap”) might require a bit of courage. Being the only parent in a group that has a simpler birthday party with no plastic decorations or not giving a traditional goody bag might lead to feelings of judgment or social pressure.
Instead of trying to make up or apologize for the absence of CPC, they suggest proudly announcing it, building parties around it, and encouraging parents to join this movement.
Collection Projects
Do you know any teachers or kids who might want to start a collection project?
A new group has formed in London to collect things for re-use that normally go into landfill. You can find London Ontario-Reduce, Reuse & Recycle on Facebook
They are currently collecting mascara wands & outer milk bags as well as all brands of plastic markers, including dry erase markers & highlighters also wax crayons & egg cartons. The mascara wands are used at rehabilitation & rescues for small animals. Egg cartons will go locally to farmers & hobby farms. Wax crayons are melted down into crayon molds for less fortunate children or schools. Markers will be shipped to Crayola who repurpose them.
Contribute To Systems Change
Individual action can only get us so far. Systems change is needed if we are to meet our climate targets. Systems change can include:
Building an Ecological Civilization
A society based on natural ecology might seem like a far-off utopia—yet communities everywhere are already creating it. Even if the climate crisis were somehow brought under control, our current growth-oriented economic power will bring us face-to-face with further existential threats in future decades. As long as government policies emphasize growth in gross domestic product and transnational corporations relentlessly pursue shareholder returns, we will continue accelerating toward global catastrophe.