Who says New Year's is the only time for resolutions? Earth Day is every April 22nd and it’s the perfect occasion to adopt a new habit for the greater good of our planet. At Farm Fresh To You, we take our responsibility as stewards of the land seriously by using these sustainable farming practices, but we also have some great tips for conserving natural resources at home. Here are 5 easy ways that we can help save the Earth by saving water, saving energy and minimizing waste.
Give up Plastic Straws
On average, America alone uses 500 million straws every single day. Far too many of those straws end up on our beaches and in the ocean where they are harmful to marine life. Those that do get properly disposed of end up crowding our landfills where they take hundreds of years to break down. If you prefer using straws, invest in a pack of reusable bamboo or stainless steel straws. You can stash a few in your desk at work or in the glove compartment of your car so that you’re always prepared on the go.Reduce Food Waste
Did you know that an estimated 30-40% of food in the US gets thrown away? Plan out your meals for the week so you know exactly what you need. If you’re a Farm Fresh To You customer, take advantage of the ability to Customize Your Box and choose which items you want to receive. If you know what you’re getting, you’ll be able to plan how you’re going to use it. You can also reduce food waste by ensuring that you eat your leftovers and freezing anything that you’re not able to use in time. If you have extra fruit or leafy greens in your box, cut them up and distribute them into reusable containers to store in the freezer for a ready-to-blend smoothie pack.
We realize that sometimes a little food waste is unavoidable, but don't just throw your food away in the trash! When produce we have on hand doesn’t meet our quality standards, we donate it to local zoos and farms that can feed it to the animals. With some internet research you’ll find that starting your own compost bin is a fairly simple process. If having a compost bin isn’t realistic for you, a great alternative is to find out if your city offers a compost or “organics” bin that you can use for food waste disposal.
Commit to Canvas
Many of us Californians are getting accustomed to the plastic bag ban that passed in 2016. However, you’ve likely still paid 10 cents for a bag more than a few times in the past year. We’ve all been there, but now’s the time to really commit to your canvas bag. Keep canvas or cloth bags in the trunk of your car so that you’re always ready whether it’s at the grocery store, farmer’s market, or even the mall.Ditch the Paper Towels
This one might seem a little daunting to some people, but we’ve tested it out and it isn’t as hard as it may seem. Instead of grabbing for the paper towels, use cloth towels to dry your hands and keep old rags or sponges handy for cleanups and spills. You can even repurpose old worn out t-shirts by cutting them into smaller pieces and storing them in a bin under the sink for easy access.
Start a Garden
It’s no secret that we love fresh fruit, veggies, and flowers, which is why we want to help you grow your own! Starting a home garden is not only visually appealing, it’s good for the environment too. By choosing to grow plants that are native to California, you are conserving water, preserving biodiversity, and creating a healthy habitat for birds, insects, and other small animals.Not only will these changes make an environmental impact, but many of them can have a positive health and financial impact as well. We challenge you this Earth Day to take a moment and make a conscious decision to take one more step to make this an even healthier, more sustainable world to live in. You can find them on our Earth Day Pinterest Board too!
