Here at One With Self Crystals, we have two main passions… crystals, of course, and giving back and caring for the Earth. With Earth Day coming up, we wanted to share with you some ways you can give back to the Earth from the comfort of your home. These things can be inexpensive and even save you money in the long run.
Earth Day’s Back Story:Earth Day has been celebrated yearly on the 22nd of April since 1970. The Earth Day organisation aims to educate individuals and businesses about the environmental impacts on how we live and conduct a business.
Earth Day Theme 2022: Invest in our planet
What does that mean to you? What can you do to invest in a prosperous future for Earth?
5 ways you can get involved and support the care of our Earth:
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Talk about it, talk about it, talk about it: There is nothing more powerful than starting a conversation about the changes we have made, are making or plan to make. Through these conversations, we can raise awareness and put making changes on the radar of the people around us. Have patients, though, as people typically need time to warm up to the idea of making a change. But trust that every conversation you have is a long term investment that may pay off one day.
I want to share a story about how innovative/out of the box you can be with talking about looking after the Earth. I had a Coles delivery arrive last month. A bright, bubbly gentleman dropped my shopping off. He took the time to share a wealth of information about plastics. I asked him if he shares this information regularly, and to my delight, he said he takes the time to share this at every delivery. His conversation led to me talking about how amazing it is to think outside the box and share information with strangers. How powerful is that! Side note he also informed me that my shopping was now coming from a store 30 minutes away, which creates way more emissions, so I have switched to click and collect.
- Check out the back of the packaging for anything you buy at the grocery store, as they may feature the new guides that make it easier to know what bin to put your waste in.
- Start collecting anything packaging that says return to store. Woolworths and Coles have bins out the front for you to drop these off too.
- Avoid contamination within your own recycle bin. Wash plastic, glass, cans etc., and let them dry before putting them into your recycle bin. Dispose of oily cardboard such as the bottom of your pizza box and recycle the none contaminated parts.
- Do some research to find out what else you can recycle in your area. For example, Officeworks accepts pens, texta etc.; local shops and libraries have recycling hubs where you can take batteries, old phones, light globes and more; Terra Cycle drop off points accept many items. If you ask in your local community pages, you will be sure to discover even more places to take your waste to give it the best chance of being reused.
- Do a pantry and fridge audit regularly, set a weekly, monthly or quarterly reminder, so you don’t forget. Check for items that may be going out of date soon. Plan meals that include these items so you can use them. If you’re not going to use them and it is still in date, why not try your luck at offering them for free on your local Facebook pages before tossing them.
- If leftovers aren't going to be eaten in 24 hours, don’t chance it; freeze it.
- If there is something you are constantly throwing out, such as spinach, consider not buying it or buying an alternative.
- Do a vegetarian night at least once a week. These are usually cheaper meals and better for the environment.
- Cook and freeze meals in advance to reduce the temptation to get take away meals.
- Look at what you buy to see where you can avoid plastics. Start with just one item and slowly switch more items when ready. Have a look to see if there are any bring your own container type of pantry stores in your area.
- Compost it! Make use of a FOGO bin if you have one; grab a compost bin and start composting at home (they don’t get smelly if you put 2 parts plant-based food waste in, to 3 to 5 parts brown plant or paper waste in); or ask on your local Facebook page if anyone would accept your organic food waste for their chickens or compost bin.
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Make conscious purchases: Before you buy anything, ask yourself will I use it more than 10 times? Would it be appropriate to buy something similar second hand? Do I really need it? Can I make use of something I already have? Can I borrow someone else’s? Will this bring me joy for months to come? Sleep on it even, but conscious purchases will inevitably reduce future waste.
- Join Earth-conscious groups: Our awareness of how we can look after the Earth can be raised through collaboration. So do a search on Facebook for local Zero Waste groups or ask your local council if they have any events or groups that meet that share information about reducing waste. Following businesses or bloggers that share tips for reducing waste is also very inspiring.
- Get off your seat and listen to the beat of your feet. - Written by 12 year old me
- We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly. - Anne Marie Bonneau
- Be a part of the solution, not part of the pollution. - The Fresh Quotes
- The world is changed by your example, not your opinion. – Paulo Coelho
- Leave only your footprints - Unknown
- If you think you are too small to make a difference, try sleeping with a mosquito in the room. -The Daiai Lama
- Be the change you wish to see in the world - Gandhi
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