Activities that are More Wasteful than You First Think

Most people are at least somewhat aware of the amount of waste they produce, mainly
because of the detrimental effects it has on the environment. Unsustainable waste leads to
issues such as landfill methane emissions, destruction of wildlife, and even human health
risks. These are undeniably things no one wants to contribute to! 
The question is, how aware are you of your waste production? You might be mindful when
browsing supermarket shelves, ensuring you pick the products with the most efficient
packaging. However, there may be other times when you produce far more waste than you
would by purchasing a single-use plastic product, and it's important to be aware of these. To
help you live a more sustainable and eco-friendly lifestyle, here are the activities that are
more wasteful than you may first consider. 

Moving Home

Most people have experience with moving home, even if that's simply the first time you
moved out of your parent's place. Not only is the process emotionally stressful and
expensive, but it's also pretty bad for the environment, particularly when it comes to the
waste involved. Think about all the packing materials and transportation you go through
when moving – it's more than most would like to admit! The good news is you can learn how to
move house in an eco-friendly way, so you don't have to feel quite as guilty about moving
from one place to the next! After all, it can't always be avoided, with most people moving at
least a couple of times in their lives. 

Travelling 

Most people know by now that travelling via plane or car contributes to higher carbon
emissions, which is bad for the environment. Travelling also produces a lot of waste,
too. When on a getaway, you are more likely to use single-use items (like cutlery) and buy
items you don't  need. You might notice that your suitcase is often fuller on the return trip
– there's a reason for this! There are more sustainable ways of travelling, so consider
implementing eco-friendly habits the next time you jet off overseas or pack up your car for a
city break. 

Filling Up Your Fridge

You might think that filling up your fridge at the beginning of the week is an efficient way of
food shopping, but have you noticed some waste at the end of the week? While filling up
your fridge looks great and gives you plenty of snacking and meal options, it can often lead
to excessive waste, especially if purchasing produce that goes off quickly. The solution here
is to become a meal planner – someone who only buys what they know they need. That
way, you can be sure all the food in your fridge will be eaten before its expiry date.
 

Eating Too Much Meat

You probably know that a plant-based diet is more sustainable for the planet because of the
carbon emissions, but what about the waste it produces. Meat production contributes to a lot
of waste – specifically regarding how much water and other food sources it requires. While
going vegan or vegetarian is an option, you don't have to completely change your entire diet
to become more eco-friendly. If you love to eat meat and can't fathom giving it up completely,
consider implementing more vegetarian meals throughout the week to reduce your carbon
footprint.
 
Throwing Get Togethers

Throwing get-togethers, whether for a loved one's birthday or to get your friends together,
can be highly wasteful. You'll notice after a get-together at your place that there is much
more rubbish to throw out than usual. Of course, that doesn't mean stopping throwing get-

togethers with your friends and family! Rather, be a little more mindful when doing so,
whether that's by switching out one-use plates/cups for reusable ones or investing in high-
quality, long-term decorations rather than buying new plastic decorations for birthdays. 

Recycling Items You Shouldn't
 
Most people know by now how important recycling is – it takes items that would otherwise
end up in landfills and ensures they get used again. It's a fantastic system! However, it only
works well when you follow the instructions to a Tee. By putting non-recyclable items into
your recycling bins, you cause friction in the recycling process, which means it'll take more
time and resources to sort through what's there. Not to mention, it could even mean the
entire batch of recycling doesn't get recycled in the end!
It's important to be aware of the small (and big) activities that could contribute to excessive
waste. That way, you can be more mindful! The more mindful everybody is about their eco-
friendly (or eco-unfriendly) actions, the better the planet can thrive.