Recently, it’s become more and more apparent why it is *so* incredibly important for us to take care of our world. The effects of climate change and global warming are unfolding in front of our eyes and it is high time we all do our part in protecting mother nature. So in honour of Global Recycling Day happening on March 18, here are some easy ways to get into the habit of recycling and even easier changes to make to your daily life. Happy recycling!
1. Purchase from and support sustainable brands
This step is the most important one. Sustainable brands work towards providing products that are environmentally friendly and reusable, instead of following after the easiest and cheapest way. Sustainable brands are deffo the way to go – for you and the earth.
Platforms such as Aloushi’s have become go-to e-commerce outlets by allowing customers to have access to sustainable brands within the same outreach.Â
2. Set up recycling bins around your house
This is a relatively quick action to make but it will help so much. If you set up recycling bins in your house, you’re more inclined to actually recycle waste in your house as opposed to chucking it into the bin because that’s the only place for it to go. Keep them in your kitchen, home office and any other rooms that you spend a lot of your time in. You’ll subconciously find yourself recycling because of how convenient it will be. (Modafinil)
3. Invest in a travel coffee mug or tumbler
If you’re someone that can’t live without your daily cup of coffee, it’s time to invest in a more sustainable option. Disposable coffee cups usually contain 5% polyurethane plastic, making it difficult to recycle them. With half a trillion disposable cups are manufactured yearly worldwide, that’s over 70 disposable cups for every single individual on the planet. If you opt for a more sustainable option, some cafes even offer a discount for using a resuable mug or tumbler, it’s a win-win situation.
4. Use reusable bags, not plastic bags
Going to the grocery store to buy a pack of gum and a drink? Don’t take a plastic bag! We’ve gotten far too used to the accessibility of having plastic bags readily available at our disposal. If you need help carrying your groceries or purchases, invest in a heavy duty resuable bag. It doesn’t have to be dull or boring, it can even be a cute tote bag that you can fold and carry with you everywhere.
Being sustainable might require a little more effort from you in your day-to-day life but it’s for the greater good. We’ve taken our planet for granted and it’s about time we start giving back.
5. Upcycle your clothes
If you haven’t become addicted to TikTok yet, 1. I’m jealous. 2. How? Anyways, TikTok is my go-to for basically anything and everything, I have learnt so much from this app it’s crazy. One of them being what to do with clothes I don’t wear anymore.
Have a pair of blue jeans that you just hate the color of? Take bleach and add a cool design to them, make them your own unique pair that no one else has. Do you have an old huge baggy shirt that you haven’t given away yet? Crop it, add patches, cut outs, metal accessories, make it your own cute lil project.
@theurbangal
DIY Project: How to bleach your jeans. #diyproject #customdenim #denimchallenge #quarantine #fashiontiktok #diyhow #diy #customdenim #fy #foryou
There are so many ways you can take your clothes – that you just aren’t into anymore – and turn them into something completely new! So next time you find yourself about to throw something out, unlock that creative side of your brain, and see if you can turn it into something new, cool, and trendy.
6. Forget fast fashion, shop local brands
I am also talking to myself when I say this, keep walking past Zara!! There are so many local brands that have just as trendy and cool clothes. Also, you are more likely to be wearing the exact same thing as someone else in the room if you shop at Zara than if you shop at a local brand. Also, the landfills – do you know it takes more than 200 years for the materials to decompose in landfills?!
Supporting local businesses is so important, especially during the pandemic. Many of them haven’t been able to stay afloat, so if you can, we highly recommend starting to make that switch.
You can also check out our story on thirft stores in the UAE.
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7. Organize a desert/beach cleanup with you and your friends
Hear me out, next time you go to the desert, just take 30 minutes of your time there just to walk around and see if there is any left over trash. There most likely will be… Take a huge trash bag with you (and gloves), just put some of it in the trash bag. You can go the extra mile by seperating plastics, glass etc. It will make the biggest difference in the cleanliness of our amazing UAE deserts!
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