Making recycling a convenient process can help a great deal in encouraging people to take up this practice. How do we do this? One of the first ways is to ensure ease of access when recycling. Your family is more likely to recycle if it’s easy for them to do so. For example, In the kitchen you could  place marked bins next to the trash can. You can also put a box in your child's bedroom for recycling paper. You might even consider putting a small container in the bathroom for collecting toilet-paper tubes. And boy those little tubes can be found everywhere and creating a space for them will be so much more convenient and efficient. What else can you do to make recycling easier?

You can educate and provide monetary rewards. A good way to encourage recycling is empower and educate people about it. Teaching people about the climate crisis, the environmental problems and pro-environmental values is one of the most effective ways to encourage pro-environmental behavior which includes recycling.  Another way to encourage recycling is by providing monetary benefits. An example of this would be the refundable deposits on glass bottles or a percentage off groceries if you bring your own reusable bags to the store. Incentives are always a good way of promoting recycling. 

Nobody likes doing extra chores, and kids can be especially stubborn about things they don’t understand, so take the time to explain to your kids why recycling is important. Help them understand the importance of recycling. What can you do? You can play games to make it fun or bring them along to the recycling center so they can see how the recycling process gets started. Going on a field trip is such a cool way to learn.

When they understand where all their garbage goes they’ll think twice before chucking that soda bottle out of the car window. Recycling and living sustainable lifestyle can be fun once you commit to the habit. It's a long term investment that will return many benefits in years to come.

No single day passes without the mainstream media highlighting an issue regarding the glaring dangers of Global Warming, Pollution, Climate Change and Nuclear Issues. Though it is somewhat ironical why such is the case yet the web is flooding with articles about environmental sustainability, it’s equally sad to note that fewer seem bothered about the looming dangers. But what if there was a way of preaching to the newly vibrant millennial generation various ways of entirely doing away with wastes?

Meet the Zero Waste Movement and Why It is worth joining!

Kathryn Kellogg isn’t your ordinary 25-year old print shop employee. With a lifestyle blog titled Going Zero Waste, a legion of Facebook and Instagram followers and a voice against unnecessary waste, Kathryn truly embodies the no-trash movement. Admittedly, she’s the brain behind the now popular Zero Waste Movement,  alongside Lauren Singer of the Trash Is For Tossers and Zero Waste Chef’s Anne Marie.

While most of the inspirational figures behind the movement trace their roots to Bea Johnson of the Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Reducing Your Waste, it seems the cause is to target Gen-Z. Unlike the 42-year-old Johnson, more than a dozen of the movement’s vehement voices nowadays are within the millennial bracket.

How the Movement works

Undoubtedly, the movement is driven by those who understand how to reach the millennials, the right way of engaging them and where the many previous campaigns failed. Blogging and Vlogging is the latest trend along with social media engagements and being bold for the cause.

Lauren Singer is just 25 years, yet her efforts as highlighted on her website, TED talks and ‘how-to’ YouTube videos say it all. Ariana Schwarz is 27 years too, but her Paris-to-Go zero waste blog is also on the frontline. Kathryn Kellogg is 25 years too yet we all know her now-trendy blog Going Zero Waste has over 10,000 unique page views a month. Celia Ristow is barely 24 years too, but armed with her blog Litterless and a slew of articles on waste management every day, she’s helping reach out to the millennials.

As captured by the various Documentaries and TV Shows, the specifics of going zero waste largely vary, though Composting, Recycling, Reusing and using no Plastics are the main themes. Kellogg replaced plastic water bottles and paper towels with reusable dishcloths and handkerchiefs while Ristow shops second-hand clothes and uses the city public transportation system. The movement doesn’t also depend on explaining everything through polished blog posts.

Social Media Challenges is also the name of the game as Lindsay Miles of the Treading My Own Path did in 2012. And, to better understand how the movement is impacting the Millennials and Generation Z, just pay a visit to Kaycee Bassett, “the zero waste girl,” Instagram account. But it seems the trend has taken root pretty quickly, as explained by Actress Sophie Turner of the #Powershift. 

There are many items that we buy in containers such as cookies, ketchup, washing powder, jam and skin care products among others. Most of the times, the jars end up in the dustbin. Did you know you could reuse these jars for some creative uses? Here are seven creative ways you can use the jars. 

 Piggy bank

Teach your children about money management by giving each a jar to save their money. Every child can decorate his or her jar in any way he or she wants. 

 Store your herbs

Most of the herbs lose their aroma when kept for long periods in the open. Keeping them in closed containers helps retain their aroma and in good condition.  

Flower vase

Those tall glass jars can make very good flower vases which you can use as centerpieces in your living room. You may use the glass jars as they are or pain them to fit your general style in the house. Just ensure that the stalks for your flowers are not too tall to cause that jar to fall over. 

Sugar and saltshakers   

 Use your jars as sugar and salt shakers. All you need to do is to drill small holes on the lid of the jar and then half fill it with sugar, salt or your intended seasoning. The jar keeps the contents safe from spilling and makes it easy to shake a little of them in your food.

Cocktail shakers

The standard cocktail shakers are quite expensive. You can mix tour drinks in the jars after cleaning them well. Ensure that the lid held tightly before you start to shake your drinks.   

 Christmas decorative lighting

You can use the jars to hold your decorative candles in place when decorating your home for Christmas. Place the candle at the center of the jar. Then, decorate the jar with paper art, leaves, or other small items on the side. Place them around the table and other high places to light up your room.    

Candy jars

Use your jars to store treats for the next festive season or for rewards to your kids. You can decorate the jars with ribbons or even glue your favorite character items on the lid. Treat jars can also be used as centerpieces on your table. There are many more ways to reuse jars. Do not just throw them after use, reuse them at home in various ways.

OK really, who can’t go an hour without makeu? Only heaven knows how much we spend just to look lovely and beautiful. But deep beneath that glamorous-looking face, polished to perfection alongside a matching lipstick and well-manicured nails are an insane amount of half-used mascara, nail polish, and clumpy lipstick. No, the problem isn’t that they are perhaps half-used or not used at all!  Nothing can be sucky and eyesore than an endless flow of new bottles and containers atop your makeup drawer. But before you toss them in that wastebasket – and instantly feel guilty – think about how much you can save by being eco-friendly. You can recycle your cosmetics, but I’d suggest you empty every handbag, suitcase, purse, and drawer so that no compact makeup is left behind.

Now, here are the five top tips on how you can recycle your cosmetics at home.

M.A.C has an excellent recycling program that can possibly make you guilty about repurchasing makeup pots. For every six M.A.C packaging containers, you will be rewarded with one M.A.C lipstick of your preference, free of charge. It is as great as it sounds!

Don’t toss that shampoo bottle away just yet there are many uses as well as some for those perfume bottles that are made to look fancy and admirable and can be an excellent piece for your home décor. You have unlimited applications, including being a unique flower vase, an incredible piece for storing scented sticks, jewelry or medications.

If you’ve always had a soft spot about painting during your free time, then you already have the right starter pack at home. Just start by reusing that crumply eyeshadow you don’t wear anymore. Use the many DIY resources available on the web and be adventurous.

Apart from M.A.C, Lip-Ink Recycle Program also accepts four empty regular-sized Lip Ink vials and you will receive for free any Lip Ink Liquid Lip Color. The Return to Origins Recycle Program takes cosmetic tubes, bottles, and containers, which might help those who are tired of disposing of. Don’t forget to check out Beauty Brigade through Terracycle also.

It often becomes dull and tedious to apply foundations. A tinted moisturizer can, however, come to your rescue. You can just transform that pressed powder into DIY tinted moisturizer by taking that old pressed powder, gently crushing them to pieces and then slowly creating a moisturizer of your desired consistency. Once again, there are many ideas on the web to guide you every step of the way!

So go gather all your purses and get the old makeup out and look through all your bathroom bags and containers and begin to recycle those products. You will feel great about doing it.

The US Environmental Protection Agency reports that the average American household loses about $370 per year as wasted food. While this may not look like much, it is serious money when the national figure is tallied. This happens in the face of the fact that an estimated 800 million people in the world are going hungry.  Food wastage takes away much-needed resources in water and energy, not to mention that the money could also be used for other needs. What can you do to reduce food wastage in your home?

Inventory the fridge

Many people will usually make a cursory look at what is in the fridge, then head out to the store. It is important to do an inventory on what is needed. Aim to shop for that week only. This can be done with better organisation of the menu. Shop with your week’s meals in mind. This way, the fridge holds only what is needed. When you bring in new items, place them at the back of the fridge and bring the old stuff to the front for prioritized use.

Avoid buying on impulse

There is a lot of impulse buying in food, more than any other household items. This is because it is easy to pick of that carton of fruits that has 25% off. Deals like these always look inviting regardless of the fact that it is hard to go through these perishables in a week. Don’t buy food items especially vegetables and fruits in bulk just because the price looks good.

Proper storage

It is surprising how much food spoils from poor storage despite all the cooling and preservation technology available. Proper storage is more than just placing items in the fridge. Lumping fruits like bananas and apples together will lead to spoiling as these are fruits that emit gases which affect other foods around them. Washing berries before storing is highly likely to grow mold. Learn proper storage techniques for different food items.

Smart cooking

Have menus that build on each other. If, for example, you will be having chicken burgandy on Monday, plan for a menu that can use the leftover chicken the next day. This way you get to eat the leftovers in healthy dishes instead of throwing them away.

Learn to donate

There are many people that need that food you are throwing away. Work with charitable networks which provide free or affordable food to those who need it. A good example is the MEANS database which matches those with excess with those in need.

10 Ways You Can Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

The talk about climate change has been going on for some time in the media with everyone talking about the devastating effects of global warming. There are erratic weather patterns, food insecurity and rising sea levels among others. Carbon pollution is to blame for the most of the climate change. Reducing the amount of carbon that we release into the atmosphere can help lower the effects of climate change. Here are ways we can cut down the carbon footprint. 

 Vehicles release lots of carbon into the atmosphere. Reduce the emissions by carpooling with friends or using the public transport. 

Look for energy star rated equipment at home. They use less energy and help you avoid over-utilizing the available energy resources.

Use technology tools such as video camera to connect with clients and offices around the world rather travel to where they are. It helps lower the unnecessary emissions. 

 Use renewable energy sources like wind, hydroelectricity and solar instead of fossil fuels. The green energy sources do not pollute the environment. 

Re-use containers, recycle as much material as possible. This way, you will not have to spend more energy to produce similar items. 

Go for the bike or take a walk when going for short distances. This reduces carbon emissions from the vehicle.

 Consider growing your plants in the backyard garden, moreover, avoid using fertilizers and compost the kitchen waste for healthier food. Fertilizers contain metal ingredients that pollute the environment. 

 Do not print unnecessarily. Use email communication to share documents. Printing paper comes from trees. If the trees are not cut down, they can help lower the carbon levels in the atmosphere. 

 Support initiatives that support action against climate change such as tree planting, reduction of the use of plastics and bio-fuels initiative. You can do it by donating to the initiative or taking part in the events.

Insulate your home properly to avoid loss of energy. Moreover, conserve energy by installing automatic sensors for your AC and lighting system. It helps conserve the amount of energy spent on heating and cooling the house.   

By reducing the carbon footprint, we are able to lower the rate of climate change and reverse some of its ill effects.

Few high-profile politicians have taken up the cause of combating climate change as Al Gore has done. The former Vice-President of the United States (1993-2001) has been involved in  environmental activism for decades and has been a co-recipient of the coveted Nobel Prize (2007) for his work on the environment. Al Gore has been involved in a number of high-profile environmental conservation projects notably:

Film-making

An inconvenient Truth (2007) - This is an award-winning documentary that showcased Al Gore’s work in highlighting the dangers of global warming. The film was directed by David Guggenheim with input from Al Gore. The film takes the form of an illustrated presentation in which Al Gore reaches out to the whole world and warns of a ‘planetary emergency’ which has largely gone unnoticed but whose consequences will be very grave for the world. The film won two Academy awards for its role in highlighting this global issue on the environment.

An Inconvenient Sequel: Truth to Power (2017) - This is a sequel to the first film. The sequel was done to highlight Al Gore’s continuing activism on the environmental including rallying world leaders to take solid steps to combating climate change. These efforts have partially borne fruit as can be seen in the Paris Climate Agreement in 2016.

Climate Reality Project

This is an environmental awareness project bringing together leaders in environmental activism from all over the world. The aim of this project is to reach out to as many people as possible across the world and educate them on issues around climate change. The project uses methods such as personal outreach, social media, and storytelling to educate any willing learner who is then expected to take up the cause and reach out to others.

Green Investment Management

This is a London fund management firm established by among others Al Gore to help channel funds to green investments. With its headquarters in London, the management fund targets pension funds, foundations and high net worth individuals to influence investment in green projects.

Lectures and conferences

Al Gore is a notable speaker on climate change. He has been involved in a number of high profile talks making policy on climate change and environmental sustainability. He is the unofficial US representative in the UN Climate Change Conference that is aimed at coming up with agreements on among other things, greenhouse emissions.

Vegan diet

Al Gore became a vegan in 2013 as a personal project in contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gases emitted by the millions of livestock bred for meat, as well as reduction in water use.