Small Changes - A Blog from YWA's Environmental Committee
“While you may need to be 18 to vote, you don’t have to be 18 to reach out to companies and elected officials to ask them to fight for your future. ”
This winter break, I took some time to reassess my sustainability goals. I implemented a number of changes last year within my household, but Covid has presented unexpected challenges towards maintaining them.
First, I reminded myself of my motivation to combat the following:
Climate change
Expanding landfills
Pollution (from the production, use, disposal, and recycling of products)
Environmental racism
Deforestation and habitat loss
Most importantly, I’m motivated to support thriving oceans, ecosystems, and communities.
With that being said, most of us have never before experienced this situation. It is important to give ourselves grace in this moment.
Here are some situations where I have extended myself grace:
Take-out containers: I used to go out to eat and bring my own container for any leftovers. That’s not an option right now, but I still want to support small businesses, so I clean out the containers and recycle/compost them when finished. I ask for no silverware and no napkins whenever I order; I use my own household utensils and cloth napkins instead. (*Tip: Wax-lined paper containers cannot be composted, but they can be recycled if they are clean. Plastic condiment containers cannot be recycled if they are under 3 inches, as the scanners cannot sense them.)
Coffee cups: This is another way I like to support small businesses. I can’t bring my own coffee cup anymore, but I can at least ask for no lid. I wash and reuse coffee lids, which saves a little bit of plastic from being produced.
Meat: I started eating primarily vegetarian a few years ago. My decision was for the animals, before I knew of the environmental impacts of factory farming. Since Covid, I’ve eaten chicken a number of times. It’s a comfort food, so I’m giving myself grace and appreciating that comfort during a strange and stressful time.
Here are a few of the major changes that have been easy to maintain:
Cotton rags instead of paper towels: My household stopped purchasing paper towels a year ago, and we have never regretted it. Cotton rags take up very little space in the washing machine and are just as easy to clean up spills as paper towels.
More sustainable toilet paper: Remember that weird time we all ran out of toilet paper? Well, not me. I luckily purchased 48 rolls of 100% recycled paper toilet paper about a month before, and we still had well over ¾ of it left. Companies also make toilet paper from bamboo, which is a more sustainable option than cutting down trees.
Buying used clothing: I’m definitely guilty of saying I “need” an article of clothing when I don’t, but now I can purchase an item without contributing to the greenhouse gas emissions in its production, nor a harmful disposal. Since Covid, I’ve used online thrift stores, like Poshmark and ThredUp, that have large markets.
Research and advocacy: I have continued to read books and articles on climate change and sustainability issues to better educate myself. I’ve written comments to companies urging them to adopt more sustainable practices, and I’ve written emails to elected officials urging them to support initiatives that combat climate change. I even received an email back from Coca-Cola after I emailed them with concerns that they have been named the largest ocean plastic polluter for the third year in a row.
While you may need to be 18 to vote, you don’t have to be 18 to reach out to companies and elected officials to ask them to fight for your future.
Another thing I did over break was repurpose an old shower curtain into a raincoat for my dog.
While these changes are small, I hope to inspire our community at YWA to also make small changes. Collectively, we can make a big difference.
If you are feeling inspired, the Environmental Committee will be sending out a challenge in the next few weeks that you can try.
Happy New Year!
Kelsey Grant