Published on May 10, 2021

This blog post is contributed by Christene Mitchell, HRSD Condition Assessment Manager and Lacie Wever, HRSD Community Education and Outreach Specialist

 Have you ever heard the saying “there is no planet B”? Do you know what that means?

The phrase “there is no planet B” was adopted from the common phrase “there is no plan B”. This is because Earth is the only place that has been identified as suitable for us to survive. We don’t have any backup, or plan B. 

Due to this fact, it is important to protect our planet to be able to provide for us and future generations.

We often say the phrase “reduce, reuse, recycle.” What you may not realize is this is a mantra for eco-friendly living. We should first reduce, then reuse, only recycling if we cannot reduce and reuse. Even still, we have to remember that everything cannot be recycled. 

So, how do you reduce?

Quick Ways to Reduce Your Impact on the Earth

 

Avoid buying bottled water

plastic water bottles


Instead of buying bottled water, refill your reusable water bottle at a local drinking water source. 

Ditch the plastic straw

plastic straws


500 million plastic straws are used every single day (source). These single use-items end up in the landfill or in the oceans after only being used one time for mere minutes. 

Bring your own reusable grocery bags

reusable bags


Over 1 million plastic bags are produced per minute. These bags are then disposed of in the landfills or local waterways. A quick way to reduce the number of plastic bags used at the grocery store is to bring your own reusable grocery bags or carry a few items out without the bag! 

Other Ways to Reduce Your Impact on the Earth

eco-friendly photo

Use reusable storage bags and containers instead of plastic sandwich bags


Similar to plastic grocery bags, plastic sandwich bags are often used for a short period of time and are disposed of in landfills or local waterways.

 

Purchase “to go” reusable utensils instead of using plastic single-use utensils


According to research, about 100 million plastic utensils are sent to the landfills per day. Bring your own utensils to help reduce this number.

Say “yes” to second-hand clothing


Did you know the fashion industry produces 10% of all humanity’s carbon emissions? Choose to purchase your clothing from thrift stores or clothing swaps as a way to reuse clothing materials and reduce the number of clothing that needs to be made from virgin materials. 


Remember, there is no planet B. It is our responsibility to create habits that will help to protect the Earth so that is useable now and in the future. One of the first steps to creating a better planet is reducing!