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LI FE & I N N OVATI O N
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N OVEM B ER 0 9, 2017
TH E O NTA R I O N
Tips for living waste-free
clothes at the mall that everyone else has.
REFUSE, REDUCE, RECYCLE
7. Compost
Sort through your food waste mindfully. Aside from food scraps, you can also compost tissues, flowers, and pet waste (as long as it’s contained within a compostable bag).
S TO RY & P H OTO BY K A R E N K . T R A N
Coffee cups are not recyclable due to their plastic or wax lining, as well as some lids. If you have a cup of coffee or tea once per day, imagine how much garbage you’re sending to the landfill every year. Using a reusable mug will not only reduce your environmental impact, but will also save you some money, as most coffee shops provide incentives if you bring your
8. Recycle your electronic waste
2. Switch to online billing
Ask your service providers to send you electronic bills through email. If you’re like me, you probably hate checking the mailbox only to sort through tons of junk mail. Paying online can make it easier to organize your bills, and you can even set up automatic payments. 3. Say no to plastic straws
Many restaurants automatically serve your drinks with straws, but you can ask your server to forgo them ahead of time. Much of the plastic waste, such as straws and bottles, end up in the ocean, are mistaken for food by sea creatures,
Plastic waste ends up in the ocean, negatively affecting ocean life.
and can take hundreds of years to decompose. 4. BYOB (Bring Your Own Bag)
Save some money and reduce plastic use just by bringing your own reusable grocery bags and containers. If you’re buying in bulk, ask a cashier to weigh your containers before you fill them. 5. Use eco-friendly alternatives for cleaning
Before you run out to the store
to pick up some cleaning supplies, check your kitchen! You probably have these super ingredients already. A little vinegar and tap water works great as an all-purpose cleaner. 6. Upcycle
Learn how to patch up your old clothes and add custom flair to bring life into last year’s outfits. You’ll now have a one-of-a-kind piece, which will be more unique than buying the same generic
When electronics break, it’s more than likely that just one part of it has malfunctioned, and the rest of the parts are in working condition. Some stores provide incentives if you turn in your old electronics and printer ink cartridges to recycle the parts, so don’t just throw them away in the trash! 9. Visit the library
There’s nothing quite like turning the pages of your favourite novel, but after you’re finished reading it, it’s usually shelved away where it lives out the rest of its quiet life. Give your favourite books a chance to be enjoyed by others by donating them to your public library, and see what new finds there are for you to check out yourself. Or, consider using an e-reader to read your books digitally.
M E G A N S U L L I VA N
1. Use reusable mugs
own mug. If you happen to forget your mug for the day, at least don’t use the cardboard sleeves, or even worse, use an extra cup as a sleeve. Ditto for using cutlery, plates, and individually packaged items. Just pack your own instead of using plastic or Styrofoam items.
CORBEN GR ANT
to stay mindful of all the waste you generate when the truth of it is, disposable items are more convenient. But if you put in the extra effort to live waste-free, you’ll help the environment and yourself. Many of these tips and tricks will save money here and there, which can add up to quite a lot every year. Refuse unnecessary plastic items when you can, reduce the amount of garbage you facilitate, and recycle the rest.
IT CAN BE HARD