Month: April 2020

Looking back the gender-environmental issue that is most important to me was ecofeminism and nature. My idea is to use as many reusable products as humanly possible, and if it is not reusable to recycle them. I believe many companies are trying their very best to eliminate waste, and honestly I think it’s the “cool/on trend” thing to do for those who aren’t really invested. However, this is something that I have slowly been transferring my way of living to and trying to be a “lead by example” type of person rather than telling others to do so. I feel most people are more likely to invest or do something when they see someone they know do it.

 

So, my plan is going to be to make a list of things that I currently use that are NOT reusable and find an alternative that is reusable or at least recyclable to reduce waste. Once I make these switches I will then make note of what I used before (how many, how often, and how much waste it was creating) and then I will make note of the alternative in comparison. In the end I will total all of my waste and cost from my old products to the new ones to see the difference I have made! I believe that recyclable, especially reusable products are a great way to lighten your environmental footprint and save money! Sometimes, reusable products cost a little more than the one time purchase in that moment, but majority of the time you end up spending the same amount if not more when buying single use products!

 

STEP TWO!

Here is a list of things that I switched over from one time disposable to reusable!

 FIrst on my list, was kind of interesting, I have this bad habit of cleaning my ears numerous times a day .. I say bad habit because according to my ENT you shouldn’t even be using q tips.

 

I purchased what is called “the last swap” . It retails for USD $12.00 before tax + shipping. I probably go through about a box of qtips maybe every month and a half, two at most. A 500 count box of q tips ranges from USD $3.00-$5.00. So within about 3 months, I would have already spent that $12.00 anyway and you know, harming the Earth in the meantime while doing it.

 

I also invested in reusable cotton rounds, I love me some cotton rounds. I use them for many things, but mostly one on my face every day for my skin care. The reusable cotton rounds retailed for USD $14.00, the one time use cotton rounds that I normally buy from target retail for about USD $2.69 for a 100 count. Although it may take me longer to even out the spending of this one, over time it’s a one time purchase that essentially can last me forever if I take very good care of it.

 

Another thing I decided to give a gander was a menstrual cup I had purchased one months ago but they take getting used to. Of course, what a “better” time to try it than pretty much being stuck in the house! When I initially bought the cup I wanted to save money, it’s beneficial for myself and it will save me in the long run. I was purchasing organic cotton BPA free (& all that good stuff) which range anywhere from $5.99-$7.XX and change before tax, so buying two boxes every month ranges anywhere from $12.00-$15.00 roughly. The menstrual cup I purchased a few months back was the intimina lilly cup compact retailing for $29.95, which means I would even out the cost of it within 2 months!

 

I also have been using metal straws, if you’re a big straw user I highly recommend purchasing reusable straws, or even cups! They’re sold everywhere and I love using them, I do not remember the cost or where I bought them from (I think it was amazon), but I felt like I should add that in here!

 

I feel as though me explaining the ONE time cost of something (that may be a little pricey at the time), but will save you hundreds in the long run is a no brainer! It doesn’t have to be done all at once, you can slowly switch your life around to reusable items! Maybe purchasing once a month would help soften the spending, in the long run you’ll get your money’s worth and end up saving and not spend your hard earned cash on something you will throw in the TRASH!

While reading about “The Chipko movement” I did see a connection between the oppression of women and the oppression of nature. The point that made me realize the connection between the oppression of women and nature was when the activist leader, a woman by the name of Chandi Prasad Bhatt gathered a bunch of other women to surround the trees so they would not be cut down. To me it seems as though women and nature will forever have a connection, we as humans, as women particularly know what it is like to not be concerned about or deemed to be unimportant or nonessential to others unless in of course if it is pertaining to money or capitalizing. Although nature as we know, does not have feelings or a voice, what we do have are people (women) who will be the voice for others or nature, because we would like to be heard. Although I do not believe a group of men would gather to protect trees from getting cut down, regardless of who would have been standing there, men or women it is for a good cause.

 

I do agree that behind the material deprivations and cultural losses of the marginalized and the poor lie deeper than disempowerment, however I also agree that disempowerment is the issue in the majority of these cases. When cultures and demographics experience disempowerment nine times out of ten it is because that is their way of life, and have been throughout the years and what their family has experienced for generations and generations. I also believe that the deeper issue is being able to be heard, along with disempowerment you can speak, but it’s about being able to be heard and having your concerns considered by those who are deemed to be “powerful” or important. 

 

I do believe another issue is resources, and not just in relation to environmental degradation. Many other countries live in the way that those do as seen in the “The brazillian slum children who are literally swimming in garbage” article, due to lack of funding and resources. I go on to say Rome wasn’t built in a day, the countries that are currently efficient entirely like America for example have made their way here. However, I do believe in finding a way to find support from other surrounding countries in order to get theirs on an uprise. Many countries still are third world, and do not have the market, clothing factories, garbage disposal that comes around weekly etc. I believe this is a major part of the issue, but in order for something to be done about anything there needs to be enough people that care enough to make it happen. As many of the feminist riots and African American marches etc, you have to be willing to take a risk and stand up for what you believe you deserve. I understand, this may not come easy and other countries have very strict laws when it comes to disobedience. Unfortunately, the world and other countries will remain in competition and sadly at times they do not care who is left behind sinking while they swim away. So to end this, I would go on to say the issue of oppression if the lack of selflessness in others who are able to help, the abundance of fear, lack of resources and the comfortability in a lifestyle you have only ever known.

Annotations

 

The brazilian slum children who are literally swimming in garbage

The chipko movement