Greenify Me

8 No-Cost Plastic Free July Hacks

Are you planning on participating in Plastic Free July this year? I've been participating in it for a few years now and really love it, but I know a lot of people have mixed feelings about the challenge. Some people find it a bit 'meh', but I do think it's a good stepping stone to introduce people to the zero waste movement. You can choose to go all out or just make a few swaps (even one is fine!) - it adds up and helps the movement as a whole in the long run. You can also choose the duration you want to take the challenge for - a day, a week, all of July, or from here on out. I love the accessibility of that! But I also know that not everyone can afford to buy a bunch of new plastic-free items. Zero waste products can get pretty pricey, and it's not okay to make people believe they can participate only if they buy products. The truth is, you can participate in this challenge without spending a dime. Sometimes, zero waste swaps are as simple as using what you have on hand! In the spirit of being more inclusive and making this movement even more accessible, here's 8 no-cost Plastic Free July hacks.

Zero Waste Cleaning Guide: Tools, DIYS + Products

Looking to dive into zero waste cleaning? I don't blame you. Conventional cleaning relies on harsh chemicals, plastic bottles, paper towels, plastic sponges, and disposable wipes. That adds up to a lot of waste, and a lot of money. You have to keep spending to replace the disposable items, like sponges and wipes, and you're forced to replenish your cleaning products that come in plastic bottles. Plus, cleaning supplies that utilizes harsh chemicals also trigger allergies, among other health problems. Prolonged exposure can even make you sick (just ask my friend who was exposed to the smell of bleach for too long and came down with a terrible sore throat for a little over a week). Who needs that? Zero waste cleaning on the other hand, relies on natural cleaning solutions that don't come in plastic bottles destined for landfill. The tools you'll use can easily be reused over and over again because of their durability - saving you money. You can DIY so many cleaning solutions without breaking the bank, or sacrificing efficiency. And, best of all, there are so many amazing hacks that will keep costs down even more, while still being kind to the planet (and your own health). Without further ado, here's my zero waste cleaning guide full of tools, DIYs and products.

Environmental Racism is a Zero Waste Issue Too

Before I was born, Staten Island, New York was the home of the largest landfill in the world. It closed in 2001, but it was open for almost 70 years. It opened in 1947 as a temporary dump on a salt marsh and agricultural land - obviously, it became more than temporary, functioning as New York's main dumping grounds. Thyroid cancer rates on Staten Island are 67% higher than the other four NYC boroughs and 69% higher than New York State excluding NYC. Coincidence? Unlikely. The landfill has long since contributed to Staten Islander's sense of being the forgotten borough. This was only further confirmed by the slow official response to the devastation brought on by Superstorm Sandy in 2012. Not to mention Eric Garner, strangled by a cop on Staten Island in 2014 for selling loose cigarettes. While the South Shore is where the landfill was located, the media has largely ignored Staten Island's other toxic sites - largely located on the North Shore. North Shore residents have the boroughs lowest household income, and 48 percent of its population are black or Hispanic. According to Beryl Thurman, president of the North Shore Waterfront Conservancy, "[the North Shore is] a low-income community of color...if Staten Island is the 'forgotten borough' then on the food chain, we're way down low." This is Staten Island, my home, and it is far from being free of environmental racism - or racism in general. And, as much as it pains me to say, the zero waste movement and environmental racism are definitely interlinked.

Have you ever wondered what it’s like to raise a zero waste baby? If you're expecting, you might feel overwhelmed with the resources out there. Or, if you already have a baby, you may wonder how to even start reducing your baby's waste. Being a parent isn’t always easy. With it comes commitment, patience, innovation, and open-mindedness. I’m sure some of the first things that come to your mind when you hear the term 'zero waste baby' are reusable cloth diapers and hand-me-down clothes. While that’s certainly something to touch on, there’s definitely more to it than that. That’s why I’ll be sharing some zero waste baby tips from actual moms. While I don’t have any kids of my own, I figured it would be best to let you hear from a couple of zero waste mamas themselves.

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Greenify Me

8 No-Cost Plastic Free July Hacks

Zero Waste Cleaning Guide: Tools, DIYS + Products

Environmental Racism is a Zero Waste Issue Too

Zero Waste Baby Tips from Actual Moms

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