Save Money and Environment
by Anna Wagner (Guest Author - FIT Major in Fragrance and Cosmetics) & Dr. Shamil
With all of today’s modern conveniences we often glaze over how much waste we amass. And not only is this toxic for the environment but it can take a hit to your wallet. There are four main sources of waste: home, clothing, eating, and transportation. So, the first step you need to do is identify in each of these categories where you’re generating waste and how you can take steps to reduce it. From there you’ll be finding your wallet heavier and a byproduct of that will be you do something good for the environment.
Home
One of the biggest and most expensive wastes are coming from activities within homes. Chances are you wouldn’t notice just how much waste there is; you can’t physically see energy consumption and your trash is taken away every week. A study found that Americans spend 130 billion dollars every year on wasted energy, and on average we generate 4.4 pounds of trash every day. Other things that you wouldn’t think about that contribute to waste, such as, throwing out furniture, leaving the sink on while you brush your teeth, or using incandescent light bulbs.
Luckily, it's easy to take steps to reducing bad habits that produce waste. You can reduce your energy use by sealing air leaks in your house, install low-flow water fixtures, or switch to LED lightbulbs. You could reduce your energy bills by 20-30% every year by making modest home upgrades. The EPA has reported that there is 9.8 million tons of furniture waste in landfills every year. Instead of tossing broken or outdated furniture, find exciting ways to renew it. Try a fresh coat of paint, stylish reupholstering, or donate it to someone in need. Try upcycling glass containers and packaging for a variety of uses such as makeup brush holders, organizing office supplies, or for holding your kitchen utensils.
Clothing
On average an American family spends $1700 on clothing every year. Fast fashion may get you the newest styles in a timely manner, but a negative of this is that more clothing gets thrown out as it quickly becomes last month’s thing of the moment. Recent surveys found that the average American will throw out 81 pounds of clothing this year. The more clothes that ends up in the landfill the more your wallet will have to compensate.
The key to reducing clothing waste is never throw out! There are a multitude of ways you can reuse and recycle your old garments. The first thing to consider is, can I donate them? Clean & undamaged clothing can be donated to local shelters, The Salvation Army, Goodwill, and many other organizations. What about those designer pants you only wore once? Consider selling them online or local consignment shop and feel less guilty about getting rid of them. If you’re good with a needle and thread, try upcycling your clothes and give them new life. And if they’re too worn out you could still use them around the house for washing, dusting and gardening, if you have a garden.
Eating
In a year, the average American family will throw away $2,200 in wasted food. In total this adds up to 35 million tons of food, a statistic which is increasingly growing. When you purchase food it hard to think ahead- will I use it all? Will it go bad before I can use it? Another thing often forgotten is the packaging itself; on average 9% of the cost of the goods you buy is the cost of packaging. And food packaging adds up two-thirds of all packaging waste, some of which is difficult to recycle. For example, plastic bags, candy wrappers, and cling wrap cannot be recycled.
The most effective way to save money and to drastically reduce packaging waste is to start growing your own produce and herbs. Try growing vegetables that would otherwise cost more in the grocery store such as tomatoes, broccoli, and peppers. Also consider produce that can be stored and preserved so you get as much as possible out of what you grow. And if you must throw it out try composting it and turning it into fertilizer that can then be used to grow your next crops. Growing your own food will save you a trip to the grocery store, taste fresher, and save your wallet.
For those who don’t have time or room to garden, there are still many options to consider. First remember to shop smart and stick to your grocery list. Plan your meals and make sure you use everything you buy. Try not to over-serve to prevent leftovers being tossed into the trash at the end of meals. Make sure you’re storing your food properly, so they have their longest shelf and refrigerator life. If you can’t work it into your current meal, try freezing it- people often forget you can freeze bread & milk. Research food banks and see if any of your nonperishable goods you don’t want can be donated. And most importantly make sure to recycle diligently and properly.
Transportation
The average cost of gas every month for the average household is $250. And for the 20% of households that use public transportation, costs can be $225 per month. This ends up being 14% of the average budget- the second largest spending category for American families. And past budget, emissions from driving have a harsh impact on the environment, even affecting pollution on a local level.
You have no choice but to get to work by some form of transport. But it doesn’t always have to be car or by subway. Walking and biking to work will negate those gas bills, saving you a whopping $300 on average per month. If it's not possible to walk or bike, you can still reduce the number of cars on the highway by carpooling. And with ever expanding technology, car manufacturers are now offering more and more energy efficient cars. Green vehicles reduce emissions while also increasing fuel economy. It may seem like an investment at first, but each month you’ll save more while reducing your carbon footprint on the environment.
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