Plastics Impact on the Environment

 I've been trying to reduce my impact on the environment when I shop for various things. I've had to do more research before I purchase items. For example, me and my family have started to substitute beef for plant-based products for things such as burgers. Cattle farming can unfortunately put disproportionally larger amounts of carbon into the environment compared to other forms of meat protein.

I've also been using reusable bags instead of plastic bags for produce. These bags are washable and ventilated. I bring several of these bags (see image 5418 below) in a larger re-usable grocery shopping bag. This way I'm not tempted to grab a plastic bag when shopping. If plastic bags go into the ground, they take a very long time to decompose. Many of these bags drain to the ocean where unsuspecting sea turtles eat them, mistaking them for jellyfish.

I've also started to use…

*Not my picture* As a long time beauty and makeup lover, products come in so many different packaging materials. The majority being plastic followed by glass and other materials. Just this year I learned about Sephora's recycling program called Beauty (Re)Purposed. Once you've finished using your product, instead of tossing it in the trash, you can go into a Sephora store and they will have this bin where you can toss your empty beauty product and it will be recycled. I've only done this once since I am still waiting to finish more products. I advise more beauty and makeup enthusiasts to recycle their empty beauty products.