Step #13 - Eco-challenge yourself

In a previous post I said, the change is within each of us. So today’s post is about eco-challenging yourself. A couple of friends share the chart below with me, which I found really interesting for a few reasons. One, it’s very simple and have easy actions that everyone can take. And second, it has some results that you can achieve by following them. So I am sharing this today. Commit to these eco-challenges and  try to get someone else on board.

Translation after the chart. I don't know the source of the chart, so if anyone know where it comes from please comment so I can give the appropriate credit.
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1. Take a 5 minutes shower
2. Share a ride or ride a bike
3. Recycle your garbage
4. Use rechargeable batteries
5. Bring your own water bottle
6. Turn off your computer and house lights
7. Disconnect the appliances that you are not using
8. Use reusable grocery bags
9. Use energy efficient bulbs
10. Inspire someone else

If you follow these challenges you can potentially:

• Save 1,345 Kwh of electricity
• Save 14,500 gallons of water
• Reduce your garbage by up to 560 lb
• Save 1 tree

Are you up for the challenge?

Step #12 - Fast food? Think again!

I recently read something I hadn’t realized. After you have food from a fast food restaurant you end up surrounded by garbage. And not 1 or 2 pieces….A PILE of garbage. Think about it.

From: mindfulmomma.typepad.com

About 80 percent of marine plastic pollution comes from the land. Clean Water Action (CWA) found that the biggest source with 49% of litter comes from fast food. According to the CWA the five most significant sources were McDonalds, Burger King, Seven Eleven, Starbucks and Wendy’s. Currently there are no federal laws or regulations aimed at getting fast food chains to reduce, reuse or recycle their waste. Besides this, consumption of fast food on a regular basis leads to many health hazards. It is loaded with fats, sugars, high levels of sodium and lacks of fiber and essential nutrients. Furthermore recent scientific studies show that this type of food reconfigures hormones in the body, so you carve more of that food. So the more you eat it the more you want it. At the end the unhealthiness of the food is reflected in obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes….and the list goes on and on..

So next time your option is fast food, just think again. There might be a better, healthier, more nutritional option that could produce less (or no) waste.

Sources

http://www.triplepundit.com/2011/06/fast-food-big-source-trash-pollution/
http://environment.about.com/od/recycling/a/fast_food_waste.htm
http://healthfood-guide.com/fastfood.aspx