5 Creative Ways People are Caring for the Planet

It’s no secret that our planet isn’t in the best shape. The poles’ protective ice is melting, there’s a hole in the ozone layer, and no one can figure out quickly enough how to replace CO2- producing cars. As more people become aware of the less-than-ideal state of our environment, Earth’s more savvy inhabitants are finding creative ways to reduce their footprint. Here’s a list of some of the most unexpected ways you can help the planet, and be the greenest person around.

Rechargeable batteries

Batteries are an integral part of modern lives, but many people don’t realize how bad batteries are for the planet. They have a relatively short usage period, and end up in landfills where the toxic chemicals seep into the soil and water. There are ways to recycle batteries, but that also requires energy.

Rechargeable batteries are like reusable water bottles. Once they die, you can recharge them in a short period of time without adding to the trash. The Wire Cutter reports that after years of testing, they’ve found that rechargeable batteries cost less than 5 cents over their usage period. While they require energy to re-charge, it is not nearly to the scale that buying, using, and trashing single-use batteries is.

Self-filtering water bottles

Re-usable water bottles are nothing new in the world of sustainability. They’re great for eliminating your need for plastic water bottles that come with the environmental impacts of production, transportation, and disposal. However, some people are taking it one step further and eliminating their need for the energy that filters water.

These water bottles are made by multiple brands, but they all filter out things like sediments and bacteria. These are great for outdoor adventurers, or even people who travel to areas where the tap water is suspect. They’re also a cool way to prove to your friends that you can drink even the grimiest of water.

Alternative fibers

Fast fashion and industrialization have created a market for synthetic and cheaply-grown fibers. The way these products are being farmed, though, strips the soil of its nutrients. Manufacturers have started to use fabrics made from hemp, linen, and bamboo as a more durable and sustainable alternative.

Hemp in particular is particularly useful. On top of textile production, it can be used in concrete, food, bedding materials… the list goes on. No wonder it’s been called the plant with 50,000 uses! The plant was legalized in the US for growth in October 2018, and since then, its production has taken off. Be on the lookout for hemp products across all markets.

Eat less meat

Meat production has a shocking amount of adverse effects on the environment. Animal farming produces more greenhouse gasses than all transportation globally, starting with the waster needed to grow crops for animals to eat, the methane cows emit, and transportation costs after the animal is slaughtered.

While organic and all-natural substitutes are good options, PETA recommends cutting all meat out of your diet in order to quickly combat the environmental effects. The savviest environmentalists have found sustainable ways to replace their protein needs, like locally-grown organic beans and tofu.

Following all of these suggestions may seem like a daunting task, but just picking even one to start with can make an important impact. There’s no doubt too that your dirt-filtering water bottle will always be a great conversation-starter.

Bio: Madison Adams is a beauty and lifestyle blogger who is just as focused on her next lavender latte as she is on writing. Using her psychology degree, she likes to draw on human insights to make her writing (and life) more impactful. When she’s not writing, Madison can be found being walked by her giant labradoodle, Grover.