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The reusable Stanley water bottle has taken the world by storm, and is just 1 example of previously disposable goods being taken over by their reusable counterparts. While in theory swapping out disposable goods for reusable ones is more eco-friendly, both have impacts on the environment. This article will be covering the impact of disposable goods compared to their reusable counterparts to empower people to make more sustainable choices.  What is a Disposable Good?   “Disposable” is an adjective that describes “things that are designed for or capable of being thrown away after being used or used up.” or “something disposable after single use such as a paper plate. ( Dictionary.com )  These products are designed to be disposed of after use for sake of convenience, sanitation, affordability and other factors. Common examples in households include paper plates, paper towels/napkins, plastic water bottles, plastic cutlery, cotton swabs, coffee filters etc. The medical and food industries also use a wide variety of disposable products such as food packaging, plastic wrap, syringes, medical gloves, bandages and wraps. These are only a handful of examples. These products are designed only to be used very few times, often just once. What is a Reusable Good?   “Reusable” is an adjective meaning “able to be used more than once” ( Dictionary.com )  When thinking of reusable product examples, go beyond the scope of “sustainability” products. Reusable items are ANYTHING designed to be used more than once. While reusable shopping bags and glass straws do fit the definition, it also includes things like your silverware, rags, coffee mugs, furniture, jars, tupperware, backpacks and so much more. There can be some overlap here between reusable and disposable goods depending on the design. Think about take-out food containers. Their purpose is to be used once, however there are plenty varieties of plastic deli containers that can be taken home and used many times if taken care of properly. Environmental Impacts of Disposable Products  “Disposable” is an umbrella term that encompasses specific materials such as single-use plastics which are what most people think of when it comes to disposable products. More specifically, these products are designed to be used 1 time and can include food packaging, plastic straws, and disposable coffee cups. These disposable plastics pose a large environmental threat as they impact many if not all, aspects of the environment. Most of these plastics are not recycled properly and are not biodegradable. In 2016 it was estimated that 242 million tons of plastic waste was generated globally. Up to 13 million metric tons of plastic ends up in the oceans every year, and the toxins and microplastics work their way up the foot chain. In fact, over 260 marine species have been negatively impacted by ingesting or becoming entangled in plastic. The vast majority of plastics are also made from fossil fuels.  Waste production is one of the main concerns regarding disposable products. The United States alone produces more than 30% of the Globe’s total waste and on average, Americans throw out 7lbs of materials each everyday. In terms of quantity, approximately 530 billion disposable cups are used annually worldwide, and over 36 billion disposable utensils are used annually just in the U.S.       Environmental Impacts of Reusable Products The general assumption regarding reusable products is that they are a more sustainable alternative and can reduce the amount of waste produced compared to their disposable counterparts. When it comes to the impact of reusable products, the amount of energy and resources it takes to produce them still needs to be considered. A study regarding kitchen utensils deemed this the environmental “payback period”, calculating how many uses it would take before its impact equal its disposable counterpart. This study found that a couple reusable products never broke even because it took more resources to make the product and wash it etc. than the disposable version. However, 9 out of the 12 products tested did reach reasonable payback periods and therefore proved to be the more sustainable option (Futurity). A separate analysis looking at the environmental impact of switching from single-use to reusable healthcare products evaluated a similar principle to the payback period, life cycle assessments, and found that the swap made positive impacts on all  environmental impacts besides water use (National Library of Medicine).  Refillable water bottles are one of the more popular intentional reusable choices, and eliminates the use of 62 disposable plastic bottles on average annually for each person worldwide and can contribute to lessening plastic pollution and spread of synthetic chemicals. Similarly, reusable food containers can help eliminate the amount of disposable packaging that ends up in oceans and landfills, but they need to be reused a number of times before they break even on impact to the disposable version.  Benefits of Disposable Products While seemingly wasteful, disposable products still have their benefits. It may be necessary to use disposable products within the health sector to reduce the possibility of infection and spread of disease/illness. Surgical gowns, bedding and drapes for example arrive to the facility clean and hygienically packed and can be disposed of after a visit or operation to maintain clean stations between patients. They also save time as these items do not have to be washed or bleached. Similarly, disposable packaging within the food sector can also aid in minimizing contaminations and spread of foodborne illness.  Convenience is a major benefit of disposable products, especially to the everyday consumer. Imagine never having to wash dishes again? Using paper plates for entertaining can be a real time and energy saver as opposed to washing all of those dishes by hand. The same could be said about grabbing a water bottle out of the case rather than washing and refilling a metal one. Human beings gravitate towards the path of least resistance, which makes disposable products so appealing.  Benefits of Reusable Products  While disposable products provide some benefits in terms of sanitation and convenience, reusable products can have environmental and lifestyle benefits. As discussed previously, some benefits of reusable items are calculated based on their off-set of the disposable version. Regardless, reusable products aid in the reduction of solid waste in our landfills. Reusable products can also contribute to lower greenhouse gas emissions. Reusable packaging for example, eliminates the need to recycle or remanufacture single use packaging which can reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 60% (Reusable Packaging). Lowering the demand for the production of and the recycling of disposable items can help to reduce emissions associated with those processes and offset the emissions cost of producing reusable items.  Reusable items offer consumers mediums through which to express their personal style and create a lifestyle filled with intentional pieces and habits. Reusing products (whether reusing disposable products or using intentionally produced reusable products) allows consumers to be more intentional about products they use and for what purpose, overtime creating a collection of pieces that are useful to them as opposed to pieces that just take up space. Some examples of reusable pieces being an expression of self and style are water bottles decorated with collected/meaningful stickers, or opting to wear your Aunt’s old jacket which is back in style now as opposed to a fast-fashion piece. Reusing things can offer a sense of fulfillment not provided by disposable pieces.  Conclusion      There has been a massive push for reusable products in the last few years, but not a lot of consideration on whether or not they are actually more sustainable. There is a lot of nuance in determining a product’s level of sustainability but a common method is to compare the production costs (environmental, not necessarily monetary) of the reusable product to that of the disposable product and calculate how many uses it takes for the product to outperform the disposable version...if it ever will. Some reusable products will never reach that “payback period” while others surpass it in just a few uses. It can be said that using a reusable product will result in less use and therefore less waste of the disposable version it is replacing. Regardless of the original use intent of the product; the more something is used, the more sustainable it becomes. If youre interested in learning how to live a more eco-friendly lifestyle, check out some of our other posts like: Stop Buying Your Garbage! 3 Kitchen Basics to Stop Buying to Reduce Waste and Save Money https://www.imperfectlysustainable.org/post/stop-buying-your-garbage-3-kitchen-basics-to-stop-buying-to-reduce-waste-and-save-you-money References:   https://www.dictionary.com/browse/disposable https://www.dictionary.com/browse/reusable   https://www.vanellagroupmn.com/the-environmental-and-health-impacts-of-single-use-plastics-and-what-we-can-do-to-reduce-their-use#:~:text=They%20are%20not%20biodegradable%20%E2%80%93%20Most,on%20land%20and%20in%20oceans . https://www.futurity.org/sustainabilty-reusable-products-2591682-2/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=sustainabilty-reusable-products-2591682-2   https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9898010/   https://www.therounds.co/post/heres-the-impact-of-using-5-types-of-reusable-items   https://textileinnovations.co.uk/disposable-products-why-use-them/   https://reusables.org/reusable-packaging/environmental-impact/

As summer is soon approaching, at least here in the US, its time to start preparing for the heat. With prices of nearly everything on the rise, an energy bill can add to the stress. We hope to help alleviate some of that by sharing tangible tips that could help save you money while living a more eco-friendly lifestyle. As if you don't have enough things to keep track of, large utility companies often change their rates throughout the year with the seasons, and the summertime is no different. This article will discuss the rate changes for both Consumers Energy and DTE Energy here in the United States and offer suggestions on how to keep energy costs low this summertime season.  What Are The Summer Energy Rates? Starting with Consumers Energy, they’re rates vary seasonally as well as by time of day (referred to as “on-peak” or “off-peak” hours. During winter months consumers are charged 16.1 cents per kilowatt hour of energy used, regardless of time of day. On and off peak hours are only relevant during what the company discerns summer months, which are dates ranging between June 1st and September 30th. During this time of year customers are charged 21.5 cents per kilowatt hour used from the times of 2pm-7pm Monday-Friday. These times are “on peak” hours and pricing. During hours of the day outside of that window and on weekends, the rate of charge is 16.6 cents per kilowatt hour, otherwise known as “off peak” times and rates. Consumers Energy claims the increased price of energy usage in the summer is to encourage customers to “take advantage” of the lower rates at certain times of the day and to help move towards a “cleaner energy future”. Read more about Consumers Energy summer rates here .  Similar to Consumers Energy, DTE has varying rates during on and off peak times but does offer a flat rate for off-peak hours year round. The off-peak rate is 16.73 cents per kilowatt hour year round, the on-peak rate is what changes seasonally. DTE has on-peak hours year round from 3pm-7pm. During the months of October-May the on-peak rate during that time is 18.09 cents per kilowatt hour. From June-September the rate for on-peak hours is 22.40 cents per kilowatt hour. DTE also frames the change in rates throughout the year as a way to manage energy demands in an “increasingly electrified world” and to empower their customers to take more control over their energy bill and utilize the lower rates. Check out DTE's rates here . What is the Point of Peak Hours? The websites from Consumers Energy and DTE both include some tips on how to reduce your energy bill. These tips include running appliances during off-peak times, and switching out appliances for newer and more efficient versions.  Let’s dig a little deeper into what these big companies mean when they encourage you to use appliances outside of “on-peak” times. These few afternoon hours tend to make up a good chunk of the afternoon when a lot of the public would be coming home from work, school, etc. and can then come home and do their laundry or other chores that require a decent volume of energy. Encouraging off-peak hour energy usage and incentivizing it through a lower rate of charge is the Energy companies way of reducing the demand for energy from the grid during the hours when demand would otherwise be the highest.   If you live in a house or condo in which all of your appliances are in house, waiting to do laundry or other appliance shores until before or after peak hours can definitely aid in limiting the hike in your energy bill during summer months. If you live in an apartment or flats in which maybe there’s a shared laundry room or even kitchen, this won’t have much of an impact (if any) on your individual energy bill.  While the suggestions given by the Energy companies can definitely make an impact on your bill, there are plenty more ways to save without having to drain your savings account for a more efficient dishwasher and LED lights.   Keep Your AC Consistent  It can be so tempting to crank that AC during those hot summer days (or turn up the heat during a blizzard). But while adjusting the temperature to the day to day conditions might seem like the logical move, it can take a standard home’s HVAC system several hours to make up the difference of just 2 degrees. When you are away it may be helpful to adjust your thermostat to be a couple degrees closer to what the outside temperature is. Be sure to also take a look at your units auto or eco settings and try to utilize those features, especially during peak times.  Unplug Unused Appliances We are all guilty of it, leaving the toaster or coffee pot plugged in 24/7 even when we aren’t actively using them. We’re here to break the news to you that appliances and other electronic devices still consume energy even when they are not actively on. This is often referred to as “phantom power” and can cost households a couple hundred dollars a year. So, consider this your reminder to unplug what you are not using. Be Mindful of Natural Light Along the same lines as the previous tip, unplug and turn off the lights when they are not in use and if you have energy efficient windows embrace some natural light. Some older homes with original glass or even apartment complexes that may opt for cheaper window fixtures may actually heat your living space. If that is the case for you, it may serve in your benefit to close any blinds and curtains during the summer months (especially during peak sunlight time and peak hours) to minimize the thermal effect on your home and AC usage.  Take advantage of “On Peak” Time  We know what you’re thinking; but isn’t on-peak time the more expensive time of day to use energy? Yes, which is what also makes it the perfect time of day to get out of the house. This tip is largely dependent on your daily schedule, but if you are able to keep occupied in other ways during this time besides hanging around at home, do it! Turn off your appliances and lights etc. before you go and use this time to go grocery shopping, make returns, take the kids to the park, hit the gym the list goes on. Not only could this be a fun way to mix up your routine, it drastically slashes your energy usage during more expensive hours just by the nature of you not being home.  Be Mindful of Streaming  Are you still there? A Netflix interruption we are all too familiar with. The background music or comfort show playing on loop can seem fun and harmless but has a way of racking up your energy bill without hardly being noticed. If you are trying to cut down on your energy bill, take note of how much streaming goes on in the background and try to adjust those habits accordingly, at least using them during off-peak time.

Living a zero-waste lifestyle is not only good for the environment, but it can also be a rewarding and fulfilling journey. It may seem daunting at first, but with a few simple changes to your daily habits, you can start embracing zero-waste living without much effort. Here are 10 easy ways to gradually transition to a more sustainable lifestyle: Reusable Shopping Bags: Invest in a few sturdy and fashionable reusable shopping bags that you can take with you whenever you go shopping. This simple switch can help reduce the amount of plastic waste generated from single-use plastic bags. They also tend to hold way more than the flimsy plastic ones, making unloading the groceries that much easier. Bonus tip! Take a look in your closets and see if you have any reusable bags already, or old drawstring bags or duffels you could use for quick trips! Switch to a Reusable Water Bottle: Instead of buying single-use plastic water bottles, opt for a reusable water bottle that you can refill throughout the day. Not only will you reduce plastic waste, but you'll also save money in the long run and cut down on your exposure to microplastics. Be mindful however, you do not need a reusable waterbottle to match your every mood and outfit. It can be hard to stay strong against marketing and seasonal trends but remember, the more you use something the more sustainable it becomes! Say No to Plastic Straws: Plastic straws are one of the biggest contributors to plastic pollution. If you're opting out of using straws at a restaurant, make sure to tell your waitor or waitress you don't need them. Oftentimes (especially in America) they'll be put down on a table as a courtesy and once they are on a table are considered dirty, even if unopened, and will be thrown away. Compost Food Scraps: Start a compost bin in your backyard or look for a local composting facility where you can drop off your food scraps. Composting is a great way to reduce waste and create nutrient-rich soil to start up a garden. Choose Package-Free Products: Look for stores that offer package-free or bulk options for everyday items like grains, nuts, and cleaning supplies. Bring your containers and bags to refill them and avoid unnecessary packaging waste. This applies to grocery shopping as well. Opt for packaging-free produce if you can, and avoid those plastic produce bags. Meal Planning: This does not have to look like the body-builder style meal planning you might be thinking of. Plan your meals ahead of time to reduce food waste. Make a grocery list based on what you already have at home and try to use up perishable items before they go bad. DIY Cleaning Products: Instead of buying commercial cleaning products that come in plastic bottles, consider making your own cleaning solutions using simple ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, and essential oils. Not only are they effective, but they are also eco-friendly and free of harsh and abrasive chemicals. Be mindful here though as not all essential oils are pet friendly! Shop Secondhand: Embrace the concept of thrifting and buy secondhand items whenever possible. Not only will you save money, but you'll also prevent items from ending up in landfills prematurely. Use Cloth Napkins and Towels: Ditch paper napkins and paper towels in favor of reusable cloth napkins and towels. They not only add a touch of elegance to your dining table but also significantly reduce waste. Educate Yourself and Others: Stay informed about current environmental issues and share your knowledge with friends and family. By raising awareness about the importance of zero waste living, you can inspire others to make sustainable choices as well. Transitioning to a more eco-friendly lifestyle is a journey, not a sprint. Start small, be patient with yourself, and celebrate each eco-friendly choice you make. Remember, every little step counts towards a healthier planet and a more sustainable future.