Easy ways to start living greener

If you know me at all, you know I'm a recycling fiend. I will keep and wash out plastic cups, I will pick up discarded water bottles that I find, I will tear out my notebook pages at the end of the semester to save them from going into landfills... but the reality of the matter is that recycling is not enough. 

If you take a look at the four R's (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle), you will find that recycling comes last... that's because it should be seen as a last resort. I was  taught a few years ago that there should actually be another R included, and that would be Refuse. 

By refusing everyday items that we have just gotten used to using and accepting, we can start changing the world. We can 100% live without plastic bags, we really don't need plastic straws most of the time, and who even has time for plastic cups?

If you start making a point to eliminate these wasteful, unnecessary objects from your life, there is a chance that your actions will catch on and start a movement.  

Here are just a few easy ways to start living greener:

Bring your own bags 

Conscious gift wrapping

I love giving gifts during the Christmas season... searching for and picking out a thoughtful gift for someone you love is a great time for reflection on what he or she means to you. It is also really great to see the look of excitement and gratitude on the receiver's face, especially when it affirms that you've found the perfect gift.

What I don't love about Christmas are the millions of pounds of trash that this season creates... think about it: People spend money on rolls upon rolls of silly, brightly colored wrapping paper, gift bags and tissue paper that are probably just going to be crumpled up and thrown out. I grew up re-using the bags and paper from the gifts that were given to me... but I've realized that the thought doesn't occur to everyone...

This holiday season, you have the chance to make conscious decisions about how you wrap your gifts for your loved ones... your choices could have effects on you, your loved ones, your bank account and the environment!

So here are some alternatives to your traditional gift-wrappings:

1. Don't wrap them!

You heard me. This works especially well when giving gifts to someone one-on-one, since you can just hold it behind your back or pull it out of your bag. In my opinion, not much is lost without wrapping, especially when gifting to adults.

2. Up-cycle

I've become a bit of a hoarder in the past few months... ask my roommate! She'll tell you that every brown paper grocery bag, paper packaging, or gift bag that either of us have brought home has been stashed under my bed, waiting to be resurrected this holiday season.

Pinterest Find Friday: #3

It's time for another Pinterest Find Friday! I have been so busy this week, that I have been moderately slacking on my pinning... which may be a good thing. Here are some great finds from this week!