Give Mother Nature a Helping Hand
Trash on the Trail
Here is one easy way to give back to Mother Nature. Add simple tasks within your usual routines. For example, when my sister and I go on a hike, we take along a small bag. When we find trash on the trail, we pick it up and put it in our handy dandy bag. We usually find all sorts of random things like empty plastic water bottles, candy wrappers, etc. It always makes us feel amazing to know we made the trail look better than it did before we were there. There are also teams that organize specific trash walks that you could join to help clean up a nature path or park near you. If none exist in your area, you should initiate one and get some friends or family involved!
Protectors of Pollen
Another way to honor the earth is to plant gardens, especially flowers. Not only is it a fun, outdoor activity but it also helps the bee population. For those that don't have their own yard, you could plant flowers in pots and place them on your porch. Or you could simply purchase honey from a local source to use in tea or exciting dinner recipes.
Swapping & Shopping
Everyone loves a good shopping spree. Finding new clothes and accessories to elevate your wardrobe, discovering new styles, and having fun with fashion alongside your friends. But have you ever stopped to consider the environmental cost? We live in an age of fast fashion where trends begin and end faster than we can change our outfits. Around 10% of global carbon emissions comes from the fashion industry alone. It impacts our water and energy supplies and introduces crazy amounts of microplastics into the environment. But the question is - what can we do to combat the harm this does? I mean, we need something to wear and want to look stylish and trendy, right?
A great way to switch this is to shop at secondhand and thrift stores to reduce the amount of clothing ending up in landfills. This gives us the joy of a shopping spree while reducing our effect on the environment. Going with friends is even better!
Another way to get your friends involved is to meet up and swap things you don't need anymore. Maybe your friend has some clothes that would look great on you but they haven't pulled out of their closet in years. Maybe you have some shoes or jewelry that aren't your style anymore that your friend would love. Recycling is more than just separating our plastic and cans from our regular trash; it can be a great excuse to get together with friends and catch up amidst everyone's hectic schedules, while also benefitting the environment in an easy, stress-free way.