Washington (ONGC) Analysis | August 31, 2022 by Sarah J. Kings; Reprinted from April 18, 2021; Image credit AdobeStock
You love your precious pug like a family member. But as you tiptoe towards greener choices, you may be wondering what effect dog ownership has on the planet. According to researchers at the University of California, an estimated 80 million dogs live in US homes today. On an annual basis, these animal companions consume as much meat and grain as nearly 40 million Americans. This alone packs a pretty big punch to the planet.
Washington (GGM) Analysis | July 16, 2020 by Sarah J. Kings
For many of us who menstruate, a visit from Aunt Flo means a week’s worth of pads, tampons, and pantiliners paired with a tub of Ben & Jerry’s and a sprinkling of Midol. Between cramps, bloating, headaches, and checking for leaks, we might be overlooking one major aspect of our periods.
Plastic.
Traditional period products are loaded with plastic. Wrappers, applicators, leak guard liners, and even the products themselves have plastic interwoven in the fibers. These tiny applicators may not seem like much, but they add up. According to National Geographic, Americans purchase 5.8 billion tampons annually. The global number is a staggering 17 billion 400 million! Even worse, the plastic in period products cannot be recycled, as they are considered medical waste— this means that these products ultimately end up in landfills and oceans.
Instagram– @theoceanproject.sey
If you are looking for a vegan and planet-friendly way to reduce the negative impact of single-use plastics during your period, don’t stress. You have 3 easy sustainable options! You can try reusable pads, menstrual cups, or period panties. Throughout my last three cycles, I decided to give each a try. I purchased BugaluBaby Bamboo Cloth MenstrualPads, an OrganiCup, and a couple of pairs of Thinx underwear.
I found BugaluBaby on Etsy. I’ve never been big into pads, but these pads come in a variety of fun prints, made with bamboo, and come with a handy “wet bag” for convenience. They are also easy to wash and are very cost-effective, costing only $25 for a pack of 9.
Thinx underwear boasts a similar idea, but it feels less like a pad. In my experience, you can wear one pair throughout the day while still feeling clean and dry. This option works and works well, but it is a little less cost-friendly, costing between $24-$39 per pair.
Lastly, the OrganiCup is a soft, flexible, reliable option that comes in a variety of sizes. For those of us who are comfortable with insertable sanitary items, this is a great option. It is incredibly sustainable and cost-effective. One OrganiCup lasts two years, and costs only $28! All three products have their consumer perks, and most importantly, they are vegan and pack a punch in the fight against the climate crisis!
Twitter – @Thinx
Come back every Thursday to learn more about the role veganism plays in combating climate change!
Tl;dr
Over 17 Billion tampons flood landfills and oceans each year
The plastic in pads, tampons, and liners are a major contributor to the climate crisis
Sustainable vegan period options DO exist
If you’re looking for an eco-friendly change, try BugaluBaby Bamboo Cloth MenstrualPads, an OrganiCup or Thinx underwear
Washington (GGM) Analysis | July 14, 2020 by Sarah J. Kings
Whether you’ve been working on building a more sustainable lifestyle for a while or you are a total newbie, you don’t want to be the only one in your family running around your house turning off lights and pulling recyclables out of the kitchen trash. Everyone in the house needs to get involved. You may be thinking easier said than done, especially if your kids are a bit older.
But I have good news! If you are raising a tween or young teen, it’s not too late to become a Pro-Planet Parent! Start small by making a few changes that shed light on specific causes and encourage eco-friendly behavior. Buying your son or daughter a 100% recycled 4Ocean bracelet is a great first step! 4Oceans is a global initiative dedicated to cleaning up the world’s oceans and spreading awareness. For each bracelet purchased, they promise to pull a pound of plastic out of our waters. Since 2017, they have removed 9,381,011 lbs of garbage from the ocean and coastline.
4Ocean – Loggerhead Sea Turtle Beaded Bracelet
Are you looking to make even more impact? Get your tween to look at thredUP for their next clothing purchase. This online secondhand store is a sustainable choice for the whole family. According to thredUP, the average article of clothing is worn only seven times before it is thrown directly into the trash. They claim that if everyone switched to secondhand purchases, we could collectively save 6 BILLION lbs of CO2 emissions per year.
Twitter – @thredUP
Another way to reduce your teen’s landfill waste and contribution to lowering CO2 emissions is to swap their favorite print magazine with the E-Copy. Doing so will help your young one realize that sustainable earth-conscious choices do not necessarily mean compromise. It can actually put some money back in their pockets! An annual online subscription to the popular magazine, Girl’s Life, is available on Barnes & Noble Nook for under $20!
Come back every Tuesday for more Eco-Friendly Parenting tips!
Twitter – @Girl’s Life Magazine
tl;dr
Become a Pro-Parent Parent: Help your young teen make earth-conscious choices
4Ocean promises to pull 1lb of plastic out of the ocean for every bracelet sold
Since 2017, 4Ocean has removed 9,381,011 lbs of garbage from the ocean and coastline
Switching to secondhand clothing purchases, like thredUP, could save 6 BILLION lbs of CO2 emissions per year
Switching from print magazines to E-Copies lowers landfill waste and produces less CO2
Green Hill Report 