Climate change is currently a large concern for everyone, and consumers are looking for ways to access and switch everyday items to more sustainable options. Choosing products based on the long-term effects of the product or its packaging may have on the environment makes sense if we are mindful about our planet’s future. Rather than purchasing disposable products, such as sponges and paper towels, innovators in the crafting community have created products that are reusable and produce little to no waste, as well as products that can help you personalize your sustainable products.
The facts about waste
More than 60 million plastic bottles end up in landfills and incinerators every day – a total of about 22 billion last year. If you use a refillable water bottle, you could save an average of 156 plastic bottles annually. The most common types of waste are cardboard and paper products, organic materials, and textiles. The average family throws away about 6 trees worth of paper each year.
How to make quick changes
One quick way to save plastic and money is to switch to a reusable water bottle (don’t forget to add personalized stick on name labels!). If you have old towels or other cloths, these can be used as paper towel alternatives. You can try some recipes to make cleaners that are safe for your family and the environment. Making your own cleaners and refilling spray bottles reduces the amount of plastic that ends up in recycling centers in the long term. More and more cities and towns are making reusable shopping bags mandatory. Even if they are not, carrying attractive reusable bags in your car and remembering to take them into the store instead of opting for the paper and plastic bags the stores provide will often earn you a couple of cents off your bill and give your conscience a break. You can donate unwanted items of clothing to charity shops, and clothes that are not in good enough condition can be taken to stores, such as H&M, that recycle textiles(and give you a coupon for doing so).
Think of the items you frequently throw away, can they be replaced with a sustainable alternative? Can the things you buy at the supermarket be replaced with a homemade recipe?
Steps towards a more sustainable lifestyle
Start small – try switching from traditional paper towels to reusable ones.
They come in rolls that mimic the real thing, and they’re equally as absorbent. Using them is the same as well, but instead of ending up in the trash, toss them in the wash and use them again and again. You can either purchase from online sellers on Etsy for example, or try making them for yourself. This is a great way to not only make your carbon footprint smaller, but you can make a nice side income with these sustainable crafts.
Gift wrapping that’s a gift to our planet
One of our customers, For You Reusable, creates reusable gift bags which help reduce gift wrap waste and overall paper that piles up in landfills. The average American gives 42 gifts per year. It is estimated that if each person used reusable gift wrap for only 3 of these, it would save enough paper to cover 45,000 football fields!
Shareable, re-wearable and sustainable items – up-cycled!
Up-cycling is a huge trend, which is great since it helps reduce the amount of unwanted items that end up in the trash. When making and sharing your sustainable crafts, add a custom woven label that lasts as long as your item!
