Rethinking the Way We Handle Waste

Recycling is, unfortunately, one of those things that we don’t do nearly enough of. If I’m being honest with myself, there’s a somewhat futile effort to recycling considering so much of recycled materials ends up in our landfills and oceans, despite the fact that that ruins the entire point of recycling. Nonetheless, attempting to recycle and reduce the expendable waste we have is what matters most in this environmentally conscious era.

One thing I like to do to promote more recycling and less waste is to set out a few cardboard boxes (they can be shipping boxes or whatever you have) next to my trash can. This reminds me that I have options for my waste, and very rarely should I throw things in the trash in the first place.

I’ll run you through the steps in choosing which thing to throw waste in, with trash being the last resort.

Compost

Can it be composted? If so, this is your best option for waste. Compost is such an impactful way to reduce your carbon footprint, especially since you’re literally making soil out of it. That, to me, is powerful. All food waste besides a few things should be composted if possible. Cardboard and paper can even go in this pile.

Reusable items.

Often times, this boils down to what glass containers you are trying to reuse. Washing out any glass bottles or jars right after they’ve been emptied is the best way to remind yourself to reuse glass containers. There’s no need to recycle glass if you have other uses for it, and there’s also no reason to buy glass unless you absolutely have to. Try to buy your foods in bulk from the grocery and you’ll never worry about what containers you’re tossing out.

Recyclables.

These are your plastic, paper, and aluminum items. I prefer to put my paper and cardboard in the compost (by soaking them in water beforehand), and aluminum can often be melted down for other things if you have the right equipment. If you are going to put these in their respective shipping boxes (the recycling “bins” you’ve made!), do it only as a last resort. I mentioned earlier that the trash is your last resort, but to be honest with you, recycling should be absolute last resort. By flipping the entire system you know on its head, you won’t be throwing hardly anything away at all! It’s a win for you and for your planet.

How to Pack Luggage like a Professional

Whether you are planning to shift to a new apartment with your personal belongings only or you are going to travel for spending your long vacation elsewhere, the first and foremost thing that you should be paying attention to is packing your luggage. Packing isn’t associated only with the suitcase or shipping boxes but it is rather more concerned with how you pack your belongings. Remember, smart packing ensures that you luggage remains safe and consumes less resources during the transit.

Before starting packing, check what’s the whether at the place where you are going. This little checking will save you from arranging extra packing options for clothes which you are not going to need at your destination.

There are a few steps that you can follow to ensure convenient and highly effective packing of your luggage.

Prepare a list

If your stay at destination is for a particular number of days, you need to plan what to wear on what day. The main reason for this travelling may be an event that you want to participate in. Make sure that the dress for that event in ready. For normal days, you can choose less number of clothes if you are sure about the availability of laundry service. Keep an extra pair of undergarments along with the clothes.

After you have decided what you are going to take with you, make a list. This list, after getting ready, will provide you a complete overview of your luggage. With this list in hand, it will be easier to make further additions of deductions from the luggage where deemed necessary. Furthermore, this list will provide you an option to do a quick checking anywhere during travelling.

Put heavy items in the bottom

The first layer of items at the bottom of shipping box should consist of heavy and bulky items. That will make the maneuvering of luggage convenient. In case you have prepared a hand carry suitcase, then the heavy should be stacked on the top, right under the handle area.

Small items like jewelry, socks, gloves etc. can be tucked in shoes and purses. That will leave you with the convenience in packing big items.

Fold the fabric

Believe it or not, rolling the clothes and putting them in suitcase or boxes wastes the valuable space that could have been used to store extra clothes. On the other hand, folding makes it easier to set the layers of clothes and it would give you more space to include something extra in your luggage.

Packing delicate items

Breakable or delicate items might get damaged while placed in the suitcase or shipping box. The typical example of such items is the personal care products. These products usually contain synthetic fluids that have natural tendency to ruin other items in the luggage. The best way to keep those items from breaking is to pack them using padded clothes or boxes. Then, it wouldn’t be a big issue if you place these items among the rest of your luggage.