August 22nd is this year’s Earth Overshoot Day #movethedate
What is Earth overshoot Day?
Every year on Earth Overshoot Day, humanity consumes the equivalent of a year’s worth of the planet’s resources. This year’s date is August 22nd, three weeks later than in prior years, reflecting the impact of the coronavirus pandemic, but still four months too soon.
The date is calculated by multiplying the number of ecological resources Earth is able to generate in a year (its biocapacity) by the demand for resources that year (humanity’s environmental footprint) and multiplying it by 365, according to the Global Footprint Network. This international research organisation works to reduce climate change.
So many of the decisions we make in our daily lives have a significant influence on the environment. For example, every day, the average American generates around 4.4 pounds of garbage. Learn how to make simple, eco-friendly adjustments that will have a long-term impact hence helping #movethedate, earth overshoot day.
For on-the-go refreshments, use a reusable bottle or cup
You may already own a reusable water bottle, but do you use it regularly? You may save money and decrease waste by using that reusable bottle. You’ll also limit your chances of buying more expensive beverages on the move if you bring your own water with you. This will get rid of the single-use containers that they come in hence helping #movethedate, earth overshoot day.. While most cans and bottles can be recycled, they take a lot of energy to manufacture, ship to a bottling factory and then sell in stores.
Use reusable grocery bags, and not just for groceries
You could already have a reusable grocery bag, similar to a reusable water bottle, but it’s easy to forget about it at home. To help you remember, write BAGS at the top of your grocery list, or place them in the back seat where they won’t be forgotten. In addition, many supermarkets will refund you 5 cents for each bag, allowing you to save a few pennies while minimising your consumption of single-use plastic bags.
Purchase wisely and recycle
You may limit the amount of garbage you make by selecting fewer packing products or come in recyclable packaging hence helping #movethedate, earth overshoot day.. In Delaware, not all plastics are recyclable, so read the labels before you buy. “Containers labelled with a one or a 2 are nearly always accepted since they are the highest value resins,” according to Delaware’s Division of Waste and Hazardous Substances website. Plastics labelled with a 3/PVC and 6/PS are generally not recyclable in Delaware.” Resins 4, 5, and 7 are currently accepted in most programmes in Delaware.” Visit http://www.recyclerightde.org to learn more about Delaware’s recycling programmes.
Compost it!
Did you know that up to 25% of the items in your trash might be composted in your backyard and eliminated from the waste stream, hence helping #movethedate, earth overshoot day.? Compostable items include fruit and vegetable waste, eggshells, coffee grounds, grass clippings, and leaves. Composting takes more time and work than the other lifestyle adjustments discussed above, but it will pay off in the long run. Compost could be ready to use in your garden in 3 to 12 months, depending on the conditions. In addition, you’ll save money on fertilisers, and if you grow your own vegetables, your yields will almost certainly improve hence helping #movethedate, earth overshoot day.
Single-use food and drink containers and utensils should be avoided
When feasible, avoid single-use coffee cups, disposable utensils, straws, and napkins. If you bring your mug, some businesses will even give you a discount. At work, keep a set of cutlery on hand, as well as a washable plate, bowl, and cup. Invest in reusable metal straws instead of plastic ones. Remember that many of these items are made of plastic, that they had to be delivered by truck, and that they will end up in a landfill after using them once. Any action we take to limit our consumption of these products has a significant impact hence helping #movethedate, earth overshoot day.
Buy secondhand items and donate used goods
Before you go out and buy something new, think about getting it used. This will save you a lot of money. That could mean shopping at Goodwill for used clothes, Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore for used furniture and repurposed construction materials, or looking for a bicycle on Craigslist. In addition, you will be supporting local charities and preventing products from ending up in the landfill by purchasing used items hence helping #movethedate, earth overshoot day.
To reduce packaging, go to local farmers markets and buy in bulk
Shopping at your neighbourhood farmers market is a win-win situation. For starters, you’ll be supporting local farmers while also getting fresher ingredients than you’d receive at a big-box supermarket. Food grown close to home does not need to be transported as far or kept cold as long. Local farmers frequently use less packaging, and many will gladly accept your returned berry basket or egg carton for use the following week. Shopping at businesses that sell food in bulk can also help to reduce packaging waste, but you’ll need to bring your own containers hence helping #movethedate, earth overshoot day.
Reduce the amount of paper you use: mail, receipts, and magazines
In today’s digital world, most firms send bills through email, and some even offer incentives to clients who do so. More retailers are also giving e-receipts, which are convenient because they’re less likely to be misplaced if you need to return something. Consider subscribing to your favourite magazines as digital subscriptions that you can read on your tablet or computer. Digital subscriptions are frequently less expensive than hard-copy subscriptions hence helping #movethedate, earth overshoot day.
You can opt-out of marketing mailings from various companies; we prefer the options available at www.ecocycle.org/junkmail. If you receive an unwanted weekly packet of grocery store circulars in your mailbox, speak with your mail carrier about having it removed.