There is no such thing as ‘away’.

When we throw anything away,

It must go somewhere.

-Annie Leonard

It is time to repair ourselves, the environment, and the world. We are no longer going to be a “throw away” world. We now understand how our throwaway culture is damaging ourselves and our precious environment.

We must repair ourselves. It is time to focus on healing our body, mind, and spirit. We must balance the energy in our body and reduce anxiety. We need more natural light, spend more time in nature, and reduce our screen time.

We must repair the things in our environment. We can learn to fix things instead of throwing them away. It is time to learn new skills.

We must repair our world. It is time to reduce plastics in our environment. We can reduce the plastics in our homes, use natural containers, and become aware of how much plastic we use.

We can buy natural fabrics for our clothing (cotton, bamboo, linen, and wool). They will last longer and they are better for the body (and energy body, too).

Polyester is is damaging our bodies and the planet. It is a synthetic, petroleum-based plastic that releases microplastics into waterways, is non-biodegradable, and can cause skin irritation, allergies, and potential toxic chemical exposure through dyes and finishing agents.

We also have too much clothing in our world. It is time to stop buying clothing and use what we have.

REDUCE, REUSE, and RECYCLE

Immediate Plastic & Waste Reductions Examples:

• Carry Reusable Bags: Keep tote bags in your car or purse to avoid plastic bags.
• Ditch Bottled Water: Use a reusable stainless steel or glass water bottle, which saves money and keeps plastic out of landfills.
• Reusable Coffee Cups: Bring your own mug to cafes, as many disposable cups are lined with plastic.
• Swap Soap Bottles for Bars: Use bar soap, shampoo bars, and bar cleaners to eliminate plastic liquid containers.
• Use Glass/Metal Food Storage: Use glass containers or Mason jars instead of plastic baggies and wraps.
• Buy in Bulk: Use reusable produce bags or refill containers to avoid excess packaging.
• Shop Secondhand: Buy clothes or household items from thrift stores, which cuts down on packaging waste.
• Repair/Repurpose: Mend clothing and repair electronics rather than discarding them.

Alice’s Wonder Spray (all purpose cleaner):

2 tsp borax

1/4 cup white vinegar

Hot water – add to 32 oz. spray bottle

1/4 cup liquid dish soap – add last

20 drops of essential oil – optional

Laundry Soap Recipe:

13 cups of hot tapwater

4 tablespoons of washing soda

2 tablespoons of borax

2 tablespoons of castle soap

You will need one cup detergent for one large load of laundry (adjust as needed).

Preparation suggestions:

Save an empty laundry detergent, water, or milk jug that holds at least 1 gallon. Mark on the outside of the jug the 13-cup measurement. Add all ingredients and shake lightly before each use.

Recommend books:

“Zero Waste Home: The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste,” by Bea Johnson

“Zero Waste: Simple Life Hacks to Drastically Reduce Your Trash,” by Shia Su

Namaste.