Earth Day is an annual reminder that we need to take care of the planet that we call home. While we should care for the planet every day, the annual celebration gives us an opportunity to make changes for a more eco-friendly lifestyle. These swaps are easy ways to reduce your impact on the planet and remind others to do the same.
Rechargeable Batteries
Disposable batteries are convenient, but they are harmful to the planet. As batteries corrode, they can leach chemicals into soil and groundwater. Rather than using disposable batteries, you can sustainably swap them for reusable or rechargeable batteries.
Most smart home devices, such as Notion Sensors, rely on batteries. Rechargeable batteries can be a great swap to make in the smart devices around your home. If you'd like to make the switch for Notion Sensors, for performance reasons we recommend AAA Li-ion instead of NiMH rechargeable batteries. You can also reach out to our customer support team who is happy to help answer any questions.
Reusable Food Storage
Plastic bags and plastic wrap are wasteful ways to store leftovers and food. Rather than relying on single-use plastics, make an Earth Day swap by using reusable food storage containers. You can use everything from silicone bags with zip closures to glass canning jars. Rather than using cling wrap, try food wrap made of beeswax. When the beeswax wraps become worn out, they can be composted.
If you already have plenty of glass and ceramic bowls, you can use stretchy silicone lids. These are good substitutes for cling wrap, and they come in several sizes so they can cover everything from large bowls to aluminum cans.
Reusable Personal Products
Like all single-use products, disposable diapers and feminine products are convenient — but they end up in landfills. Rather than throwing away hundreds of single-use personal products, it's easy to make a sustainable swap to reusable items. Cloth diapers are more convenient than ever since they have easy-to-clean fabric inserts that fit into cute shells. Women can also turn to machine-washable period underwear as a sustainable swap for tampons and pads with their bleached cotton and plastic packaging.
Refillable Travel Bottles and Cups
If your community has clean drinking water, then it's time to stop using single-use water bottles. Refillable water bottles, like those made of metal or glass, are an easy Earth Day swap. This change pays for itself after you skip buying two or three packages of bottled water. Refillable water bottles are easy to clean, and many have convenient carrying loops. You can also reduce your impact on the environment by using a refillable travel coffee mug.
Reusable Grocery Bags
Another Earth Day swap that doesn't cost much is trading single-use plastic grocery bags for reusable options. Whether you use cloth sacs or reusable bins, they are better for the environment. The key to success involves remembering to bring them to the store. A few tips to remember your bags include:
- Return them to your car as soon as you empty them.
- Choose bags or bins that you like.
- Have several in your car at all times.
- Keep them near the door.
Zero-waste Hygiene Products
Consider how many hygiene products use plastic containers. Once you've emptied the container, you throw away the package — adding more to your local landfills. Rather than using lotions, soaps, and shampoos in plastic bottles, turn to zero-waste products. Liquid lotions and shampoos come in bar form. You can purchase them without packaging or in recyclable cardboard packaging.
Eco-Friendly Laundry Supplies
Another easy way to reduce your impact on the environment is with eco-friendly laundry supplies. Rather than using dryer sheets, turn to reusable wool balls to soften your clothes. You can also choose laundry soap with fewer chemicals, dyes and packaging.
Pay Attention to Packaging
Speaking of packaging, it's something you should always consider when you buy products for your home. At Notion, we proudly use recycled packaging in several of our products such as our starter and expansion kits. Supporting companies that use minimal eco-friendly packaging pressures more businesses to change their packaging choices.
Add Green Plants to Your Home
When you add plants to your home, you create an environment with clean air, less stress, and less noise. Green plants are inexpensive, and they improve the environment in your home. Put plants in the busiest rooms of our home, like the kitchen, family room, and bedrooms. If you don't have a green thumb, consider low-maintenance plants like pothos and philodendron. Add a watering reminder to your smartphone calendar.
Make Every Day an Earth Day
These are just a few Earth Day ideas that can help reduce your impact on the planet. Every person who stops using single-use plastics helps reduce waste in landfills. It doesn't take long for Earth Day swaps to become a part of your daily routines. You'll be pleasantly surprised how little trash you'll throw away each week when you turn to reusable products with less packaging.
