Author: matt

Everything we own at some point will be junk

Posted on by matt

The most unnecessary newsflash: everything we own at some point will be JUNK. Yes, everything. From your favorite t-shirt to your favourite Lamborghini… Everything on this rotating ball of mostly hydrogen and human hormones is destined to become JUNK, at an impressive rate and speed too.

Every time we buy a shiny new toy we get a surge of joy – hey that rhymes, but after a while as by reverse magic the object itself metaphorically and literally loses its shine. Trapped in a vicious cycle of continuously getting rid of the old in order to obtain the new, how is one meant to consume in order to sustain both the environment and those ephemeral moments of happiness?

If you want to sound fancy you can quote the pseudo-scientific rule of Long Lasting Consumer Joy. Parentheses: LL Cool-J is nothing to us.

LLCJ exceeds the idea that the best things in life are free or indeed experiences. Here we are talking about consumer goods and how to buy right both for the planet, yourself, and possibly for your long-term Apple wallet. And here is how to do it; In one easy step, no audiobook purchase needed.

Go Plastic-Free or Go Home

Posted on by matt

Did you know that more than 50% of plastic is used only once?
That 90% of plastic is never recycled?
That it is predicted that by 2050 there will be more rubbish than fish in the sea?
That plastic waste is destroying habitats, suffocating nature, trapping animals and killing ocean wildlife?
Now that you know, please don’t pretend you don’t. It’s not cute and nobody buys it.

Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably now realized that plastic pollution is a major global environmental crisis. The reason behind this crisis is directly linked to guess who? Us lovely humans. We have consumed so much plastic over the years that we are literally drowning in it.

We may not be aware of the direct effect of overconsumption on the planet in a ‘if a tree falls in the forest and nobody is around to hear it does it make a sound’ kinda maner… But, with many communities already feeling the negative effects of each bottle of water we buy, I think we can safely say that the falling tree does indeed make a noise, and it’s the noise of something crashing on a forest of discarded plastic bottles.

Plastic pollution is no longer just an environmental problem, but a global calamity for which there may still be time to find a solution. How? By acting, every day, in our own small way.

Here are five tips to propel you to be an active part of the process:

1. Use that tote bag! Yes that one and that other promo one. Keep one tote bag into another if you think you’re gonna need two. God knows you’ve been to enough promo events you cheap freeloader.
2. Don’t take straws from strangers. Period.
3. Stop using filters! This is not a mental health call out but for every cigarette you smoke you disperse into the environment a wee evil filter.
4. Reconsider fast fashion. Do more with what you have and do it your way.
5. Support businesses that make it their life goal to incorporate sustainable incentives in their production cycle. Hello, have you met us?

You don’t have to do everything at once, but if you do, make sure you document it and share it with us.

Life in plastik isn’t fantastik: 69 tips to go zerowaste

Posted on by matt

Here are some tips for removing plastic from your life and, if you wish, from planet Earth. Follow one, follow two, follow ten, follow none, do what you feel, just the fact that you are reading this article is a big step forward.

  1. Carry reusable shopping bags
  2. Give up bottled water
  3. Cut out sodas, juices, and other plastic-bottled beverages
  4. Let go of frozen convenience foods
  5. Carry your own containers for take-outs and leftovers
  6. Carry a stainless steel travel mug
  7. Carry reusable utensils and glass drinking straws
  8. When ordering pizza, say no to the little plastic “table” in the middle of the pizza box 🙁
  9. Say no to plastic produce bags
  10. Return containers to the farmers market to be reused
  11. Buy fresh bread that comes either in paper bags or no bags
  12. Choose milk in returnable glass bottles
  13. Buy large wheels of unwrapped cheese
  14. Choose wine bottled in glass with natural cork stoppers
  15. Learn to love the bulk bins
  16. Choose plastic-free chewing gums
  17. Baking soda is a fantastic scouring powder
  18. Baking soda is also the best deodorant EVER
  19. Use powdered dishwasher detergent in cardboard box
  20. Hand wash dishes with plastic-free dish soap
  21. Use natural cleaning cloths and scrubbers
  22. Use natural rubber gloves
  23. Switch to bar soap instead of liquid soap
  24. Give up shampoo in plastic bottles
  25. Check labels of personal care products!
  26. Wash clothes with homemade laundry soap and stain removers
  27. Try hair salves and pomades in metal tins or glass jar
  28. Color hair with henna purchased without plastic packaging
  29. Try solid shave soap instead of canned shave cream
  30. Choose lotions and lip balms in plastic-free containers
  31. Switch from a plastic razor to a second-hand safety razor
  32. Reconsider how you clean your teeth
  33. Choose toilet paper that’s not wrapped in plastic
  34. Use plastic-free feminine hygiene products
  35. Look into plastic-free sunscreen options
  36. Explore plastic-free hair accessories and tools
  37. Keep your own reusable foodware & cutlery at the office
  38. Try natural beeswax coated cloth wraps instead of plastic cling film
  39. Choose stainless steel ice cube trays and Popsicle molds
  40. Don’t buy water filter cartridges unless necessary
  41. Make your own homemade yogurt without a yogurt maker
  42. Make your own soy or nut milk
  43. Make your own seasonings
  44. Make your own snacks and energy bars
  45. Acquire necessary plastic items used instead of new
  46. Repair things when they break
  47. Make your own glue
  48. Avoid disposable plastic pens, use pencils
  49. Compost food waste to avoid plastic garbage bags
  50. Choose natural cat litter
  51. Choose pet toys and furniture made from natural materials
  52. Buy second-hand pet supplies instead of new ones
  53. Learn to make homemade pet food without plastic
  54. When traveling, bring your own snacks on the plane
  55. Bring your own headphones too
  56. Refuse the mini bar (sorry)
  57. Choose plastic-free camping equipment
  58. Find Do-It-Yourself alternatives for over-the-counter remedies
  59. Use a handkerchief instead of paper tissue
  60. Avoid buying new plastic clothing
  61. Shop thrift stores
  62. Make your own clothes
  63. Look for plastic-free shoes
  64. Alter and modify old clothes into new
  65. Re-think your Christmas tree
  66. Find ways to wrap gifts without plastic tape
  67. Request zero plastic packaging when ordering online
  68. Look for second-hand electronics, games, and toys first
  69. Take care of what you already have

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