the 3Rs: what can you do at home?

Happy Earth Day!

Way back in grade school, I was part of an environment club. We were small in number but used our collected voices to educate and encourage our peers to reduce, reuse and recycle. These 3Rs have stuck with me and, in my opinion, are the simplest ways to help take care of our globe so it can continue taking care of us.

If you want to show Earth some love, here are a few simple ways to start right at home:

reduce buying

I’m not a minimalist but I am on a mission to shop more mindfully. Cost is a big factor (frugal Franny, here) but even bigger is the price our planet pays to make and slowly break down what I buy. Is it tough to say, “No”? Absolutely. Especially when I’m product sourcing for clients and something cool catches my eye. But I also know my consumer decisions today impact the environment my girls live in tomorrow and beyond. Keeping this cause in mind keeps items out of my cart, and ultimately, out of landfills.

reuse what you already own

This R is hands down my fave. And since I’m not buying as much, I’m happy to get creative with what I already own. It's pretty fun!

My go-to vessels to upcycle are glass jars and sturdy boxes. They come in so many shapes and sizes and are incredibly versatile solutions for design and organizing needs. Here’s a list of ways I’ve repurposed them in my home:

• Glass jars: Storing dry pantry goods (quinoa, lentils, etc.), refrigerator foods (e.g. overnight oats, homemade sauces, delicate herbs or scallions), small office supplies, hair accessories, vase for stems (faux or real), and art supplies (markers, paint brushes).

• Sturdy boxes: Product boxes—as drawer dividers for kid toys and writing supplies; Shoeboxes—as garage organizers for hardware, tools, outdoor accessories, etc; Cardboard shipping boxes—as deep cabinet containers for storing DVDs / CDs and lesser used household items (e.g. lightbulbs).

Between the fridge, bathroom, and kitchen, glass jars are a multi-functional, aesthetically pleasing, and FREE way to keep all the things organized.

recycle, recycle, recycle

Before throwing ANYthing plastic in the trash, my girls ask me, "Mama, can this be recycled?". How amazing is that? The letdown, of course, is when I have to tell them no because there are so many rules about what plastics can be recycled, much of which depends on the rules governed by your municipality. A quick online search or call to your local recycling center will give you the knowledge you need to recycle plastics properly.

Your local center can also inform you about how to recycle trickier household items like lightbulbs, batteries, small appliances, hazardous chemicals, and much more. These items are part of living and home ownership, and in my opinion, our responsibility to each other and our shared ecosystem to recycle right.

And it doesn’t end there. Textiles can also be recycled! Have you heard of the Native Shoes Remix™ Project? They collect shoes, any style or brand, and have them ground down and given a second life in community projects. A shoe turned into a playground? Brilliant!

What about charities or thrift stores? Yesterday, I helped sort and organize an impressive amount of clothes for the first-ever clothing drive at my daughter’s school. By doing a little closet clean-out, our community gives local families access to free clothes and shoes, which in turn, extends the life of pounds of textiles. It was exciting to see so much good and generosity come from the people around me…I hope sharing these simple ideas helps the good reach and spread around you, too.

what earth-friendly change will you make at home?

No change is too small. Everything counts. And I want to hear it so I can get in on it, too. Comment below or subscribe to connect with me offline. If you need an idea, share this post with a friend or two.

The more who know, the more good will get done.

With gratitude,