April 22nd is Earth Day – so we’ve put together a list of simple but effective ways in which YOU can help safeguard our environment for generations to come.
- Make your own baby food! (Chances are – if you’re reading this – you’re a homemade baby food chef already!). Buying commercially prepared baby food involves getting through an awful lot of packaging – not all of which is recyclable. Plus, when you make your own baby food, YOU control the portion size – which means less waste.
- Buy organic produce… or grow your own. Non-organic farming causes toxic chemicals to enter the soil, the air and our water. Besides, organic (or home-grown) produce often tastes better and – because it’s pesticide free – it’s better for you and baby!
- Make a habit of tracking down the sources of the fish you buy and ensure it is from a sustainable fishery. Many stocks of fish across the globe are over-fished and worryingly depleted.
- Don’t throw your vegetable peelings away – use them to make compost (friendly link)
- Switch to cloth diapers (nappies). No longer the nightmare they once were, modern cloth diapers are comfortable for bub and easy to use. According to the Real Diaper Association, over 92% of disposable diapers end up in a landfill… and decomposition can take between 250 and 500 years!
- Commercial products designed for cleaning your home often contain toxins and chemicals that are hazardous to the environment. Try making your own instead – you’ll not only be helping to save the environment – you’ll be saving money, too!
- When grocery shopping, look for products with environmentally-friendly packaging (either made with recycled or recyclable materials, or with minimal packaging)
- Recycle, recycle, recycle! Don’t throw away old clothes – use them as rags for cleaning the house, adapt them for your children to play dress-up, or donate them to a local charity. Visit Freecycle (friendly link) and find out how you can donate – or find other – unwanted items.
- Steer clear of disposable products (razors, floor wipes, dusters, etc).
- Take canvas bags to the grocery store and avoid using plastic ‘Thank You’ bags (known as carrier bags in the UK).