Dryer sheets are another source of — you guessed it — microplastics. 1) carrying out the experiment over as short a period of time as possible. Reuse: Make your own bean bag refills. DIY crafts are an excellent way to test your creativity and get you crafty. If you happen to be associated with a big company that uses a lot of foam packaging, you might be able to start a recycling program following the tips HERE. The good: When a company or a small business is taking steps to reduce plastic usage (or otherwise reduce their impact on the environment), commend them for it. Insider Tip: If you miss having your clothes come out of the dryer smelling like a fresh meadow or mountain air, put a few drops of your favorite essential oils on the balls before tossing them into the dryer. Styrofoam is technically plastic number 6, polystyrene. The material can take hundreds of years to decompose, increasing the clutter in already-full landfills. The products come to you in “swatches” that are comprised of 100% active ingredients. Enter your email below and we'll send you our, Campervan Bed, Van Bed, Campervan mattress, Van with Bed, Step 2, campervan build, Campervan Toilet, Composting Toilet, Cassette Toilet, Van Life, Step 4, campervan build. #6. Alternative Tip: If you love your plastic toothbrush and can't give it up, repurpose used ones by using them to clean around your house. ), try a reusable produce bag or at least reuse the plastic kind until they can't be used anymore. One of my favorite face washes in the past was from Neutrogena, and it was packed with these little "microbeads". bags and just be sure to wash your produce extra well! And if you do need to use them (we've all forgotten our shampoo), refill them over and over again so you can use them on future travels. Fish consume them, and we consume the fish. This can go a long way. We also want to learn from you. With all these strikes against it, I almost don’t care whether plastic recycling for number 6 is available or sustainable – it stands to reason that toxins are released in its creation, likely in the recycling process, and definitely in the usage and disposal of Styrofoam containers. Stasher is one of the best brands on the market, but these are a good budget-friendly option that we personally use. Here’s how you can make the biggest impact: Swap one or two items you use regularly with a zero waste alternative. While we’re on the subject of bathroom products, another one to really think about is your razor choice…. According to Scientific American, in 2014 a total of 28,500 tons of Styrofoam was produced and 90% was used to make single-use cups, trays, containers and packaging products.Other major uses of Styrofoam are as insulation boards for roofs, walls, floors in buildings, and as loose packaging material called packing peanuts.. Recycling can help reduce the amount that winds up in the sea. The following post is from Katie of Kitchen Stewardship: Coffee and doughnuts after church, anyone? What a simple solution! However, the best way to protect yourself and the environment would be to avoid its use in the first place. 9. If you haven't tried a menstrual cup, now's the time to get on board! Bonus: The added bonus of going with solid toiletry items is they are perfect for travel and get you through airports in a cinch. Choose cardboard or plastic egg cartons when purchasing from a store, and try to reuse at a farm whenever possible no matter what kind of carton you get. The one drawback is that you first have to use energy to melt the PS, to convert it to styrene oil. Instead of making it a habit of throwing things out right away, try your best to fix them first. Most notable, are higher pitched sounds, like a child's voice, or brisk, soft footsteps. You can get an additional $10 off when you use the coupon code: Wandering10. While it can be recycled, the recycling market is diminishing. Ben is proof. We'll also send you bonus travel tips on how to travel smarter, cheaper and better. Not in the mood to DIY? Simply drop the swatch into a reusable spray bottle filled with water, and you’ve got yourself a surface cleaner (free from fillers and nasty ingredients, by the way!). I don’t let it happen and always keep large yogurt tubs in the vehicle. There’s a lot to think about and brands sometimes make it difficult to find the answers you’re looking for. Interesting Fact: In order to receive a 5-star rating in most markets, hotels need to provide personal toiletry bottles. It’s common practice in scenic work and prop-building to use a rigid-setting, 2-part polyurethane foam to bond other foams such as styrofoam together. Just say no. Instead of using the ¼ inch or even 1 – 2 inch Styrofoam insulation between the 2 x 4s, a nice, big slab of 3.5 inch insulation would be fitted into the frame. This is true even for eco-friendly products. At best, its properties are sound resistant. Laundry detergent: I’m so excited to no longer need to buy giant plastic jugs for doing laundry. They enter our waterways and wind up in lakes and streams and in the tummies of unsuspecting fish. That would just add an even bigger amount of waste to the landfill. You can limit how much plastic and Styrofoam you use by purchasing glass plates and cups, which can be reused over and over again instead of just once. 'Nuff said. And ask for alternative containers or bring your own leftover containers when eating out. Refuse Styrofoam cups whenever possible. Write to businesses you order from regularly and ask them to use paper or other eco-friendly packaging if you feel strongly about it. We use it in our campervan so we can drink tap water no matter where we’re parked! #6. Here are some ways to do it — and save money in the process. Compared to Styrofoam, these two new eco-friendly alternatives help reduce pollution and conserve landfill airspace. Styrofoam monopolizes precious landfill space; plus, scientists believe it can potentially persist in its solid form for thousands of years. Minimise our footprint. Some of these ideas may not work for you right now. Did you know synthetic clothing or fabrics break down each time you wash it and small pieces of plastic make it to our waterways? Start with what you can change, and grow from there. Also, once you get used to using a crystal, your body naturally doesn’t even really need deodorant anymore. Always serve party guests with paper (or plastic if you must) disposables when you can’t use the real thing. Please see our web site for more information about recycling options! It also frugals the schools by saving them big amounts of money, especially over a long term change. Now that we know prolonged use of styrofoam with hot beverages or foods degrades the quality and can cause excess chemical exposure (i.e. This helps reduce the demand for fossil fuels, too. If this is the case, the water must be treated or the fluid substituted. Styrofoam is nearly unsinkable. 8. Make a magic wand by cutting out a star shape. We can each make a difference, and even the smallest acts count. Jane says: October 14, 2010 at 9:04 am . Styrofoam is the trademarked term used for polystyrene foam, a petroleum-based plastic. We say this time and time again, but we are FAR from perfect. Check HERE for more info. Purchase goods manufactured with recycled materials. The great news is there are some really great alternatives that can be used over and over and over…. Resist and reuse Styrofoam packing peanuts. Packing peanuts can be found in boxes holding fragile or breakable materials, which can be anything from expensive computers to fresh-baked cookies. So share your plastic-free tips below! If you have the choice of buying a large container or a small one, go for the big one (if it’s something you use often and won’t expire). Toilet bowl cleaner: Not the sexiest product to talk about, but I was super impressed with how much it foamed up and how well it cleaned our toilet. With Styrofoam, the extrusion process is managed in this way, designed to minimize the amount of air that gets through the material, so as to make the material very tough. Somebody told me to put ping-pong balls halfway and fill the rest with dirt. I get strange looks from servers when I say, “I brought my own,” but I’m setting a bold example for my kids that I’m proud of. Lucky for you, this article is packed with simple and practical ways you can cut out plastic in your life. Deeper pitched sounds, such as a booming man's voice, won't be affected nearly as well. We all have clothing made from synthetic fabrics (polyester, acrylic, nylon, rayon, spandex, etc.). In this article, we’re going to break down some easy ways you can use less plastic. These are things you use on a near daily basis. (And I never thought I’d say that!). Even better are metal safety razors for which you just replace the blade. As bans on single-use plastic bags and straws gain momentum across the globe, attention is now focused on another mighty environmental opponent: styrofoam. We have so much room for improvement and are constantly seeking ways we can be better. It can also help keep interior noises from leaking out, which proves valuable to the recording musician or private business meeting. I used to look at them and think, "Oh they're so cute!" This may be a sore subject for some, but those K-Cup machines — while convenient — create a ton of waste. This is an outdated practice, and hopefully it is done away with soon. So much unnecessary waste! You can use materials that you already have in your home or you can buy from a DIY store for a low price. Also, I’ve never seen a zero waste option for toilet cleaner before, so it’s a really good way to make a simple plastic-free swap! If your foam problem is chemically derived, the first thing to do is check the hardness of the water. Reusable glass plates and cups will also reduce the amount of Styrofoam and plastics that require fossil fuel resources. The incredibly lightweight material, used in everything from consumer electronics packaging to food-grade containers, takes a chemical toll on the human body. but now I look at them and think, "What a waste of plastic!". 5 years ago. Stephane Aucoin | Posted in Green Building Techniques on October 17, 2016 02:35am Hello, I was wondering if its suitable to install a truss on top of a sandwich styrofoam between 3/4 ply and the top plate of an exterior wall, Sort of like putting a SIP on flat. Swap out your eye makeup remover for coconut oil (it works!). That in itself is going to save us lots of plastic waste each year. Without diving too deep into it, where you live can make a huge impact on what resources are even available to you. Shampoo swatches: Ben is stoked to bring these on our next international trip (it’ll make getting through airport security a breeze!). In some products, soft water (a hardness level less than 5 grains per gallon) will cause foam in oil. We each have electric toothbrushes for daily use (gotta take extra good care of those chompers!). Most people know it under the name Styrofoam, which is actually the trade name of a polystyrene foam product used for housing insulation. Instead, opt for brands that have more eco-friendly alternatives like a glass jar or a cardboard container. Unfortunately, since most churches probably use Styrofoam cups for their weekly fellowship, they help contribute to the 25 billion Styrofoam cups trashed every year in America alone. Definitely. German apothecary Eduard Simon discovered … Choose not to purchase polystyrene products, or items that are packaged in polystyrene. Polystyrene or Styrofoam can be recycled! Nothing irks me more than being handed a massive Styrofoam … This material is light blue in color and is owned and manufactured by The Dow Chemical Company.. The great thing, is you can still get exfoliation without the plastic microbeads. As consumers, we have a lot of power, and over time, companies will hear our collective voice if we speak up. Check out our eco-friendly packing list so you can be more prepared on your next trip and save lots of plastic. 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