Easy, Local Ways to Go Green
April is Earth Month, and in honour of our Mother (Earth), here are few easy-peezy ways to be sustainable, stay local and give some love to our Earthly community year-round:
The Three R’s
Reduce, Reuse, Recycle were the three R’s drilled into us as kids. But these R’s go Beyond the Blue Box (IYKYK).
Reducing our superfluous purchases, buying second-hand when possible, and donating unused items is the easiest way to reduce our life-long carbon footprint.
Here are a few amazing businesses in Cobourg that make the classic R’s a breeze:
Habitat Restore
Beyond the Blue Box
Humane Society Thrift Store
Mission Thrift
The Fourth R
REFILL, BABY. REFILL. Grab those jars you’re hoarding (its a beautiful collection, btw) and put that glass to work. Refill your hand soap, dish soap, laundry soap, shampoo and conditioner, house cleaners, lotion, and so much more. Don’t forget about bulk food as well; refill your pantry items like pasta, rice, flour and sugar.
Our suggestion: make sure you thoroughly wash and dry your containers before filling them. Any leftover nasty bits, or even water sitting in your containers can cause mold.
Here are a few refillery spaces in Northumberland to help you out:
Change Makers Refillery (grab an amazing coffee while you’re there!)
TNS Health Food Organic Supermarket (find organic produce as well as soap refills)
Suntree Natural Foods Marketplace (a great local spot for bulk food items)
A Quick Checklist
If you need more inspiration, here is a quick checklist to continue your sustainability journey:
Buy in season produce, when possible
Use natural cleaners (like vinegar)
Wash clothes in cold water
Air dry the laundry
Reprogram your thermostat to eco mode
Weather proof your house
Plant a native garden
Walk or bike, when possible
Reduce plastic by using a reusable water bottle or coffee mug
Use a menstrual cup or reusable pads
Buy high-quality upfront (you buy less in the long run)
Reduce meat consumption (try 1-2 nights a week)
