Why you should go meat free on Mondays

If you’re on your journey to live more sustainably and want to improve your environmental impact, Meat Free Monday is a great way to reduce your consumption of meat. Launched by Paul, Mary and Stella McCartney in 2009, Meat Free Monday raises awareness of the devastating environmental impact of meat production from the livestock industry, and encourages people to reduce their consumption by having one meat free day each week. Meat Free Monday isn’t a push for people to become vegetarian or vegan, but rather about rising awareness of the environmental and health benefits of reducing your consumption of meat.

Livestock farming is a rapidly growing industry that has severe implications for the earth’s climate. The consumption of meat world-wide has greatly increased in recent decades leading to a significant rise in meat production globally. According to Worldwatch Institute’s Nourishing the Planet project, production has tripled in the past four decades, and risen by 20% in the last 10 years.

The agricultural industry relies on large pastures of land and non-renewable resources to produce animal feed, and support livestock farming. More than one-fourth of the earths land is used for the production of livestock farming of meat, milk and eggs. This has a devastating effect on the environment where rainforests are being cleared, leading to habitat destruction and loss of animals globally. Along with this, the industry uses approximately one third of the world’s fresh water to support the production of meat which includes the farming of feed for livestock.

The industry’s greenhouse gas emission contribution exceeds the combined exhaust from all transportation, accounting for 18 per cent globally, while producing 40 per cent of the world’s
methane and 65 percent of the world’s nitrous oxide.
Reducing your consumption of meat is not only good for the environment but it is good for your health too. Enjoying meat free Monday’s doesn’t mean you have to dramatically change your lifestyle. It can be as simple as swapping your meat patty on your burger for a vegetable patty, or using lentils in your curry instead of chicken.

Cowspiracy is a insightful environmental documentary that investigates the environmental impact of that animal agriculture industry.

Try meat free Monday this week!

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How to reduce your waste habits to fight climate change

Everyone has the ability to fight climate change by reducing their waste habits. Even the most simple daily changes can make a big impact. Below are 12 ways you can reduce your waste habits to fight climate change.

 

1. Buy in bulk: Buying in bulk is an easy way to reduce your consumption of single use packaging. Swap your pre-packaged supermarket items for bulk wholesale purchases. When visiting your bulk wholesaler, remember to pack in your reusable containers and jars, and only buy what you need. This simple lifestyle change will significantly reduce your annual household contribution to landfill.
2. Reduce food waste: Australians waste approximately $10 billion in food every year. Reduce your household food waste by setting weekly meal plans and only buy food you need for the week. Eat leftovers for lunch or turn them into another meal. Keep food in your fridge and pantry fresher for longer by storing it correctly in food storage containers and bags.
3. Use reusable shopping bags: Plastic bags are one of Australia’s largest environmental hazards with over 3.92 billion plastic bags used and disposed each year. Using reusable shopping bags instead of plastic disposable ones will greatly reduce your contribution to landfill.
4. Reduce food miles: When buying food, try to reduce your food miles as much as possible by purchasing direct from your local farmer. Where possible, avoid purchasing pre-packaged food and opt for buying in bulk from a local wholesaler. Reduce your use of single use plastics by using reusable containers to store your purchases.
5. Stop using plastic food wrap: Plastic food wrap is one of the most wasteful products used in kitchens. This single use plastic destine for landfill uses valuable natural resources to produce and releases numerous toxic chemicals in production, transport and disposal. Durable containers, reusable food covers and beeswax wraps are eco-friendly alternatives that will reduce your use of plastic food wrap.
6. Recycle what you can: The recycling service offered by most local councils is a great environmentally friendly initiative that makes it easy for every household to reduce their contribution to landfill. Keep a separate bin in your kitchen for recyclables and regularly sort out your general waste from your recycling. Contact your local council if you are unsure of what to recycle to ensure you place your waste in the correct bins provided.
7. Use toxin-free cleaning products: Chemicals are in numerous household products from shampoo and soap to detergent and toilet cleaner. Switching to nontoxic environmentally friendly cleaning products will reduce the number of chemicals you use in your home and will support a healthier environment. An affordable alternative is to make your own from natural ingredients. This will ensure you know exactly what is in each product and you can avoid the nasty chemicals found in most conventional cleaning products.
8. Repair, swap or donate: Try repairing broken or worn objects before replacing them. This will not only save you money but will prevent functioning items being sent to landfill. If you need to replace an item you might have outgrown or simply don’t require anymore, try swapping it or donating it.
9. Grow your own produce: From edible flowers and herbs to vegetables and fruit trees, it is possible for everyone to grow their own produce regardless of the size of their backyard, balcony or home. If you live in an apartment and don’t have access to a backyard, try growing smaller plants and vegetables in pots on your balcony or kitchen windowsill, and join a community garden to grow larger produce. If you have a backyard, dedicate a small section to planting edible plants. Growing your own produce will significantly reduce your carbon footprint by reducing the food miles of the produce you consume.
10. Switching to LED lighting: Replace old incandescent, halogen or compact fluorescent bulbs with LED bulbs. They have a longer lifespan, consume less energy per lumen produced, and do not emit UV radiation. Switching to LED lighting will reduce your carbon footprint and save you money.
11. Eat less meat: The meat industry contributes around 6 billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions each year. Try reducing your weekly meat consumption by having one meat free day each week. Take part in Meat Free Monday and opt for plant-based meals more regularly.
12. Be thoughtful about your wardrobe : The production of clothing has a big impact on the climate, especially with the sudden increase in fast fashion production. When purchasing clothing, try to avoid buying new items and opt for purchasing second hand items or swapping clothing with family and friends. If you do need to buy brand new, buy ethically made clothing from environmentally friendly materials.

Related: The environmental impact of plastic straws; The true environmental costs of disposable coffee cups; Top environmental documentaries to watch

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Why bamboo is better for your health and the environment

Most products currently sold to consumers are made from plastic. From pegs and coat hangers to toothbrushes and clothing. Over the years, the material has become engrained in manufacturing processes which is subsequently passed on to consumers through various product offerings.

Plastic is not only bad for the environment but it also impacts your health. The manufacturing process of plastic releases numerous harmful toxins in the production, transport and disposal of the material. When sent to landfill, the product can take hundreds of years to break down while leaching toxic chemicals into the environment. Bamboo is a healthier and more environmentally friendly alternative to plastic.

Bamboo is a naturally regenerative plant that is extremely resilient requiring minimal water and fertilisers. Its prolific nature makes it an incredibly sustainable plant as it grows at a much faster rate than trees and cotton. It takes approximately 25 to 70 years for some trees to reach maturity opposed to bamboo which reaches maturity within four years. It is also 100 per cent biodegradable and compostable making its complete lifecycle more environmentally friendly than other materials.

The unique manufacturing methods of bamboo fibre help to combat the environmental impacts caused by plastic and unsustainable deforestation. It can be manufactured into various materials including construction, paper and homewares.

Bamboo provides great health benefits for allergy sufferers as it is naturally antibacterial and hypo-allergenic. Its non-toxic nature makes it a safe material for manufacturing products for oral use such as toothbrushes. There are many household items you can replace with sustainable bamboo products including tissues, kitchen utensils, toys, clothing, flooring, pegs, hairbrushes, bedding and towels. Swapping some of your plastic household items for bamboo alternatives will positively impact your health and the environment.

Related: How to get rid of insects in house naturally; Plastic free living ; The state of Australia’s waste

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How to get rid of insects in house naturally

Modern society has conceptualised the idea that insects are dirty creatures that need to be killed as soon as they emerge, especially in the house. Ads such as Raid, show a pristine house where insects can be killed immediately with a toxic can of bug spray. We have become accustom to buying the most toxic sprays to ensure our homes are pest free. However, until you look at the ingredients list on the back of those toxic pest sprays, you don’t realise how many harmful chemicals you are spraying around your home, and not only harming the wildlife surrounding your home, but putting your health at risk too. Toxic bug sprays are filled with carcinogenic, hormone disrupting, and poisonous chemicals. They fill the air with toxic particles that linger for you to inhale, and settle on your floors and furniture. You can get rid of insects from your house in a humane way using natural and toxin free solutions.

To get rid of insects in house naturally, use the below solutions:

1. Ants: Clean surfaces daily with a 50/50 solution of vinegar and water. The vinegar destroys the ants scent trails. 
2. Flies: Lemon, cloves and lavender are scents that a particularly effective in repelling flies. Use these scents in areas of your home where flies commonly appear.
3. Cockroaches: A clean house is the easiest way to minimise cockroach invasions. To prevent them from entering or living in your home, place some cucumber slices and bay leaves in areas where cockroaches are active such as under fridges, near sinks and under cupboards. The scent will repel them and keep them from your home. 
4. Mosquitoes: Grow catnip in your garden to deter mosquitos from your home. Mosquitos don’t like the scent. 
5. Fruit flies: Fruit flies hate the scent of basil. Place a pot of basil in your kitchen or put a few sprigs in your fruit bowl.
6. Rats/Mice: Peppermint oil is a natural mice and rat deterrent. The intense smell of peppermint oil repels them and disguised the scent of food they are initially attracted to. Dab peppermint oil around your home in areas mice and rats frequent.
7. Wasps: Deter wasps with a fake nest. Wasps are extremely territorial and usually won’t nest within 15 meters of another nest. Place one at the front and back of your home to keep wasps away.
8. Spiders: Spiders hate peppermint. Makes solution of peppermint oil and water in a spray bottle and disperse it around your home, in cupboards, corners, and in entryways to deter spiders. Vinegar is just as effective and can be used in the same way to repel spiders.

Related: Why bamboo is better for your health and the environment ; Plastic free living ; The state of Australia’s waste;

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