Did you know that Earth Day is my favorite holiday? No, seriously. Our planet and all of the life on it is kinda a big deal to me. Over the years I have grown more informed about the climate crisis and how I can at least try to help, because saying I'm just one person and I can't make a difference isn't my style. I try to educate myself on a local level and get involved. Mount Kisco has a Conservation Advisory Council as well as the Mount Kisco Climate Smart Community Task Force. Most towns in Westchester County do have the same or similar groups and I encourage you to reach out and get involved.

I am excited to share with you 10 ways I try to live an eco-friendly life everyday and I hope some of them resonate with you!

Food Scrapping

I know, I know, it's so much easier to just toss it into the garbage. But hear me out. We are running out of nutrient rich soil on Earth. All those leftovers that were forgotten about or that apple core, although unedible to you, still have plenty of nutrients left inside that our soil needs.

When food scraps, aka food waste, goes to a landfill, it decomposes without oxygen, which releases methane—a greenhouse gas 80 times more potent than carbon dioxide, which drives climate change. Decomposing food is the third-largest source of methane in the US!

Alright, I could talk about food scraps for days but what do I do with mine?

I collect them in a compostable bag, they are sold at lots of grocery stores and online. Literally no food goes into our garbage. I have a cute little bin for my kitchen counter so as I'm cooking or clearing the table it is easy to put the uneaten food in there. Then I drive it over to the drop off site in Mount Kisco at 43 Columbus Avenue. Westchester County has a program where they pickup and haul off the food scraps.

Of course you could also start a compost pile at home in your yard!

Have questions about this? I am happy to chat!

Simple as Soap

This one is super simple. Ditch the plastic bottle of body wash and luffa for a good ol fashion bar of soap and a washcloth.

The same could be done with your shampoo and conditioner too! My favorite bar haircare brand is Dip. The pink bar smells soooo good! River Town General in Dobbs Ferry is an excellent spot to shop for reusable, eco-friendly products. Check them out!

Time to Brush!

A few years ago I discovered biodegradable bamboo charcoal dental floss and I have never looked back. I floss every night, dedicated I know, and this product is awesome for my teeth which are particularly close together. I also love the refillable container.

In addition to eco-friendly floss, I also switched to toothpaste tablets. Buh Bye plastic tubes! Click the link below to see my favorite brand, and no I am not an affiliate with any of these companies... but I should be!

Reusable Containers

I couldn't tell you the last time I bought ziplock bags or a plastic container of any type. This is not to brag but to show you how easy it is to make the switch. Will you spend more money up front? Yes. Will you save money in the long run? Also yes.

Here is a photo of the containers that are used daily in my house.

Planetbox is definitely a favorite brand of mine.

Buy Nothing Groups & TIOLI

So many towns now have Buy Nothing groups on Facebook. Here in Northern Westchester we definitely have a few. We also have the Take it or Leave It Shed (TIOLI) in Bedford Hills. This is an excellent spot to donate items you no longer want and you can also search for items you need! The shed opens May 16th and then continues to be open every Saturday until October from 10:00 to 12:00.

Sustainable Westchester

Get to know your local organizations like Sustainable Westchester. This is where you can look for answers when it comes to home projects, heating/cooling, solar, heat pumps, and more. Located right in Mount Kisco, this organization is here to help answer your questions specific to Westchester County!

Plant Based

I know this can be a touchy topic but it can not be left out of the conservation conversation. Here are some animal agriculture facts to get you thinking:

- Agricultural expansion for commodity production is responsible for roughly 80% or more of global deforestation, with commercial agriculture serving as the primary driver. The main culprits within this sector are cattle ranching, soy production (largely for animal feed), palm oil, and timber.

- Over 9 billion animals are raised for food in the U.S. alone

- Male chicks are routinely killed in the egg industry

- Over 90% of the world’s chicken meat comes from factory farms

- Deforestation & Land Use: Livestock production occupies roughly 30% of the Earth’s total land surface and 70% of all agricultural land. It drives nearly 80-90% of global rainforest destruction, particularly in the Amazon for cattle grazing and soy feed crops.

- Water Consumption & Pollution: Animal agriculture uses 55% of water consumed in the US. Manure runoff from factory farms (CAFOs) creates dead zones in waterways with nitrogen, phosphorus, and ammonia.

It may seem like a huge inconvenience or undertaking but I am here to cheer you on in switching over to a more plant based diet. Eating vegan is easier than ever. Below are two of my favorite documentaries that I found super informative and life changing.

Second Hand

I love clothes but I know the fashion industry has negative environmental impacts. Thankfully there are a bunch of companies where you can buy and sell pre-owned clothing.

My favorite site for this is Poshmark. For kids clothing, Teddy's Closet in Katonah is great!

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Eco-Friendly Cleaning

Vinegar and baking soda, my two favorite cleaning products. Sold just about everywhere, inexpensive, nontoxic and super effective! I use these two items to clean my tub, toilets, stove, backsplash, just about anything! If you want to jazz it up, add a couple of drops of lemon essential oil for a fresh scent.

Toilet Paper

Ok, so something we all obviously use. I was searching for a brand made from a sustainable source and it had to be thick enough that it didn't crumble when you use it. Enter PlantPaper. Delivered right to my door, this stuff is soft, strong, and free from toxins, dyes, and PFAS.

We've been using this in our house for over a year now and will never go back to regular toilet paper.

Yup, that's me. Mrs. Banana

I definitely don't have all of the answers but I am learning as I go and trying to make a positive impact. Even if you only choose to adopt one or two of these practices, it's a start.Did you know all of the trash in Westchester County is burned in the country's oldest incinerator? This is terrible news for our air quality which has received an F grade from the American Lung Association.Here are a couple of other ideas to leave you thinking:- pass on the plastic produce bags - don't spray your yard with chemicals- plant a tree- plant native plant species - say no thanks to plastic straws and water bottles- consider planting clover instead of grass. This is less work for you and better for the environment.

If any of this resonated with you or you want to chat I would love to hear from you! Send an email to [email protected]