As the environmentalist that I am, I have been finding this quarantine especially hard to watch as it relates to one-time use items. Going to the grocery store makes me cringe endlessly as I see everything wrapped in plastic, and no option to do otherwise. Many people have decided to wear latex gloves and are (with reason) throwing them out after each use. Although I highly agree that these measures are necessary during this pandemic, I personally want to do a better job at staying as eco-conscious as possible. That being said, here are 5 things that I personally try to do (as much as possible), to close the circle on the traditional linear economy.
1 - Make the most of your produce
Buying fresh fruit and vegetables currently entails wrapping them in plastic to limit contamination. There is no way around using plastic bags when buying fresh produce, but what if you didn’t have to buy certain produce in the first place? Many vegetables and herbs are quite easy to grow at home, even if you don’t have a garden or even a yard. All you’ll need is some jars, and a sunny windowsill. Some of the many veggies & herbs that can be grown include: leeks, green onions, romain lettuce, basil, bok choy & napa cabbage.
Simply cut off one to two inches above the base of the stalk, place this into a glass jar, fill with water until 3/4 of the stalk is submerged, and place on a sunny windowsill. Change the water daily, and watch them grow! Once your new plant baby has reached 3-4 inches in height, transfer it to a pot with soil, and water daily (depending on the plant). Once it has reached full-size, you can cut off pieces from the top to use in your recipes, and the plant will regrow!
Alternatively, many companies, have made it even easier by producing home growing kits, for many types of veggies & herbs. Fungaea, a great eco-friendly and Canadian company, offers easy kits to grow home mushrooms! YUM.
Another great way to reuse vegetable scraps, is to make homemade vegetable broth!
Keep your veggie scraps in a 1 gallon container or bag in the freezer. Once it is full, pour out into a large pot, cover completely with water, bring to a boil, reduce to medium heat and leave for 60 minutes. Once the water has turned a brownish colour (colour will depend on which vegetables you used), strain out the scraps (and compost them if possible), salt to taste and pour into jars to be stored in the fridge and used for cooking or soup base.
**Remember that the vegetables you use will dictate the flavour of your broth; variety is key.**
Ever heard of candied orange peels? Well they are so easy to make, cost virtually nothing, and allow you to up-cycle your orange (or other citrus) peels into a yummy dessert. Here are couple recipes!
For more ideas on zero-waste cooking or reusing food scraps, check out More Plants, Less Waste by Max La Manna.
2 - Buy second-hand online
As an avid thrifter, the closure of Value Village due to COVID-19 has got me feeling some type of way. I’ve got a thrifting itch that I can’t scratch! Luckily, nowadays there are so many options for ONLINE THRIFT SHOPPING (thank god). You can always use services like Poshmark or ThredUp (Canadians beware of custom fees). Otherwise, many shops have turned to Instagram as a way to sell their clothing. Here are some of my favourite Ottawa/Gatineau based, online thrift shops:
Alternatively, as these are trying financial times, there are a couple options that are free (or almost), and based on a culture of sharing and trading. BUNZ is a free app that allows you to post any items (clothing, home goods, food) that is no longer serving you, and trade it for other items that you may want or need. You can create a sort of “wish list” on your profile, that is known as your ISO, and people can offer you items from that list in exchange for an item on your profile! It is a truly great way to give your old items a new life, and save some money. Lastly, swapping clothes or books with friends (either in the mail or leaving the package on their porch) can be a great way to connect, spruce up your wardrobe, or discover a new author.
3 - Encourage local eco-friendly businesses
I am having a hard time coming to terms with online shopping, Amazon, and the amount of packaging involved in shipping. But why do that when there are so many great local businesses selling the same products, many of which also offer order pick-up or delivery, and eco-friendly packaging? Here are some easy swaps to make; from large corporations to local (Ottawa area), eco-friendly businesses.
— Swap your Bath & Body Works candles for soy candles from Campy Home
— Ditch your mass-produced cheap jewelry for beautiful pieces by Floral Sweeties
— Switch your generic Hallmark cards for hilarious and unique cards from Milk Shop
(Explore more local businesses that offer local delivery at Ottawa Farmer’s Market)
Remember that local business owners are struggling financially during these hard times, and if you were going to spend that money either way, why not invest in a business from your community and one that shares your ethical & sustainable values?
4 - Spring cleaning & decluttering
Since many of us have a lot of time on our hands, it is a great time for spring cleaning and decluttering! But what to do with your donation pile? Of course your items can find a new home with Bunz, Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji, but what of the ones you are unable to get rid of? Now is definitely not the time to be dumping those into donation boxes outside of Salvation Army; most thrift shops are asking that people DO NOT donate at this time. So please keep your used items stored at home, until the health authorities have given the go ahead to reopen thrift shops, and the items can be donated safely! Alternatively some consignment shops are still accepting items, like Preloved Ottawa (check their website for the current consignment conditions).
Also within the realm of spring cleaning; have you ever considered making your own cleaning products? It is much easier than you think!
Fill a jar with citrus peels, cover them with white vinegar, and leave them in the fridge for 2-3 days. Strain out the peels, and mix equal parts water and citrus infused vinegar into a spray bottle. Optional: Add a couple drops of essential oils of choice for added scent.
5 - Creative up-cycling
Why not kill some time and get your creative juices flowing by trying to up-cycle scraps, donation items, or broken items into something new! Creativity is a great way to improve your mental health! This will also be a great way to fight quarantine boredom, and get you thinking of new ways to close the circle on the economy of certain items. Here are a couple ideas:
— Knit a reusable grocery bag with plarn (plastic yarn made out of plastic grocery bags)
— Use old clothing and textiles to create home decor: tapestry, embroidery wall hanging, weaving, etc.
Whatever you choose to do to keep a circular economy rolling, remember to make it your own, that every little act helps, and most importantly, to do so SAFELY!