What is a carbon footprint?

You might be asking yourself, 
"Where do I start to help save the Earth? Am I doing enough?" 

The answer is any changes you make in your daily life to lessen your carbon footprint and become more sustainable is enough. Especially if everybody takes this step. So do not be overwhelmed. Here is your guide to sustainability for people that are just now on their eco-friendly journey or for people who want to stay conscientious of the impact they have on the Earth.

What is a carbon footprint? 
A carbon footprint is the total amount of greenhouse gases (including carbon dioxide and methane) that are generated by our actions. This could be from eating meat, shopping for clothes, traveling by car or plane, etc. 

How do I calculate my carbon footprint?
The Environmental Protection Agency provides a carbon footprint calculator at this link: 

https://www3.epa.gov/carbon-footprint-calculator/

  

The more you know...

  • A fluorescent light bulb uses 75% less energy than a regular bulb and it can last up to four years.
  • An automatic dishwasher uses less hot water than doing dishes by hand (more than 2,000 gallons per year)
  • A hot water faucet leak (one drop per second) can lead to 165 gallons a month
  • Average families in America use up to 260 gallons of water in just one day
  • A five minute shower uses 5 gallons of water
  • A bath is 60 gallons of water
  • Energy is the top contributor for climate change(60% of total global greenhouse gas emissions)
  • Recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees
  • Plastic bag/Styrofoam containers take up to thousands of years to decompose which is the main cause of marie animal deaths
  • If all the people living on earth switched to energy efficient light bulbs we would save around 125 billion dollars annual
  • Recycled paper produces about 25% less total emissions than conventional paper

Switching to & Choosing more Sustainable options:

Foods to cut out of our diet:


  • Meat
  • Fish
  • Dairy
  • Eggs
  • Any and all animal products


Some foods to replace them with:


  • Daiya (non-dairy cheese, cream cheese, etc.)
  • Follow Your Heart (non-dairy cheese)
  • Ben & Jerry's non-dairy ice cream
  • Any food labeled (non-dairy)

  • Dairy- free Milks (Oat, Almond, Coconut, Cashew, Macadamia, Soy, Hemp, Pea)

  • Just Egg (plant-based egg substitute)

  • Gardein (Meat-free foods)
  • Qorn
  • Beyond Meat (Meat-free foods)
  • Impossible Foods
  • Tofurky

  • Vitamins (Algae omegas, Nature made, Pure synergy)
  • Vitamin B12
  • Vitamin D


Companies to support. Give them a try!


Method. 

Cleancult

Mrs. Meyers

Hello Oral Care Products

Dropps 

Natural Flower Power

Raw Sugar 

Earth Hero

Who Gives a Crap

Goodwell 

Swell 

Beyond Meat

Qorn

Gardein

Daiya

Silk

Ben & Jerry's (dairy-free ice cream)

The Following Companies & Products were Rated by One of Our Team Members:

Customer Review: 

Method.

I bought and tried these 2 : All-purpose surface cleaner & Toilet Cleaner


I really enjoyed both of these Method. products that I tried. The toilet cleaner works amazing, with minimal scrubbing, and the surfactant leaves my counters feeling extra clean! These are really affordable, especially for how well they work! Method. uses all recycled materials and is ahead of the game. They are working on getting their factories as eco-friendly as possible, and their shipping materials were minimal plastics. 


10/10

CleanCult

Laundry Detergent


This laundry detergent is wonderful! My laundry smells so fresh and clean, every time. I got 3 containers of detergent- 3 different scents! I tried Juniper Sandalwood, Sweet Honeysuckle, and Seaspray. I have only tried the first two, as they have lasted me 3 months! But I am very happy with the results. Everything about this company is eco-friendly. There are no micro-plastics or harsh chemicals in the formula that will harm aquatic life, the container is all recycled material, and even the cap is plant-based! These products are also super affordable, and I will definitely keep buying them!


10/10

Mrs. Meyers

Dish soap and Hand soap


The soaps work really well and smell very good! The downside: they only use about 70% repurposed plastic, and 30% virgin plastic. This is a good company to transition into the sustainable world, but is not the most sustainable option out there.


7/10


Natural Flower Power

Multi-Surface Cleaner- Lavender scent


I love this stuff! It cleans so easy, I can feel the grime coming off my kitchen counters. Every time I use it, my kitchen smells just like lavender- so fresh and clean! The formula is hypoallergenic, eco-friendly, and cruelty-free! The bottle is made out of plastic, but it is recyclable plastic.


9/10

Hello Oral Care Products

Toothpaste and Mouthwash


This is my favorite eco-friendly toothpaste and mouthwash that I have tried so far (I have tried a few). These products are definitely affordable and they are all recycled plastics, except for the cap-wrap (which legally needs to be sealed with plastic). The toothpaste works really well to clean your teeth and gums. The mouthwash leaves you feeling super minty-fresh afterwards, and lasts for most of the day! I got a set for morning and a set for evening, I love them! I will definitely keep getting them.


10/10



by.Humankind

Mouthwash and Deodorant


The mouthwash was a miss for me, but I appreciate the effort, and I hope they keep working on the formula. It just didn't make my mouth feel as clean as I would want from my oral care products.

5/10


The deodorant smells amazing, is sweat-proof, and it definitely lasts all day. It's an anti-perspirant without all the damaging chemicals. It's a refillable deodorant container, so there is no plastic waste. & the packaging was 100% plastic-free.    9/10

Dropps 

Dishwashing pods


I love these pods! They are 100% plastic-free, with zero harsh chemicals to combat aquatic deterioration and harm. I also love them because as a broke college student, I could never afford small luxuries like super expensive dishwasher soap. But these pods are super affordable and my dishes have never been cleaner!


10/10

Goodwell

Compostable bamboo toothbrush


These toothbrush bristles are so soft, and they are efficient cleaners. All of the packaging was 100% plastic free. We never think about how our toothbrushes can hurt our planet. But small changes like switching our toothbrushes can really help to lower plastic pollution. If the toothbrush cleans as efficiently, is just as affordable, and it sustainable? Then why not!


9/10


Who Gives a Crap

Toilet Paper


This company really wants to lower shipping emissions. They sent 48 rolls in one package, for $48!  What a steal. It was 100% plastic-free. It was also 100% recycled paper. Each roll was individually wrapped in recycled paper that was beautifully designed, including 6 colors/designs, so you can have them out in your bathroom, and they look like decor! The only down-side the the toilet paper is a bit fragile, so maybe don't use it for cleaning your counters during the pandemic haha.


9/10

Swell

Metal water container


I love these! I have been using these for years, and I don't think I have a single complaint! They keep my beverages ice cold, or seeping hot (whichever you want) for up to 10-12 hours!  The only downside is they are ~$20-30 per bottle, but when you consider that the cost of plastic bottle use over ~1 year is over $1,000, I think it's a fair trade-off.


10/10


Beyond Meat

Burger patties, ground beef, sausages


These products are delicious! They really are some of the top mead alternatives out there! The sausages remind me of Bratwurst sausages- same juiciness and crisp, yum! The burgers are super reminiscent of a classic backyard BBQ burger. And the marbled ground meat was super juicy and delicious as well! I made sloppy Joe's. These products are definitely better for the planet than beef. However, they do have high amounts of sodium, and the price is on the higher side. So I would indulge on these during cheat days, or maybe once a week or so, to stay healthy and keep your pockets full!


9/10

Gardein

Pork, Chicken, Beef, Turkey of various forms


Now these are to die for. I have yet to have a Gardein product that let me down. They are delicious and are pretty fair prices! You can typically get a bag for $2.99 or $3.99 at just about at any grocery store. They have foods from teriyaki chicken, to sweet & sour pork, beef & broccoli, meatballs, crab cakes, burgers, turkey cutlets, and so many more products! They are still processed foods, and are unfortunately wrapped in plastic, but it is recyclable plastic, and they offer so many delicious meat-alternatives.

  

9/10


Qorn

Meatless chicken pieces, ground beef, chicken nuggets, chicken patties


These are my favorite plant-based chicken nuggets that I have tried so far! They are almost identical to real chicken nuggets. These chicken and ground meat pieces are also a staple in my house. If it's not tofu or tempeh, I put these meat alternatives in bowls, bakes, sandwiches, pasta, etc. Qorn uses nearly 100% plastic-free packaging, and the small amount of plastic they do use is recyclable. Give them a try!


10/10

MorningStar

Corn dogs, breakfast sausages, incognito burger


These products are really good! They are great meat substitutes for people who are transitioning, or who just really love meat, but don't want to actually eat meat from an animal. I, personally, love corndogs, but I don't want them anymore. These plat-based corndogs were a treat! I will definitely be buying more.The breakfast sausages are my favorite breakfast sausages I have tried. And the incognito burger is almost just as good as the beyond burger for almost half the price! Unfortunately, they still have nearly all plastic packaging


7/10

Daiya
Cheese slices, shredded cheese, cream cheese

These products are my favorite plant-based cheese products. I especially love their American cheese slices on burgers, mozzarella and cheddar shredded cheese on bakes and pastas, and cream cheese on my bagels/bagel sandwiches. I tried their cream cheese on some veggie "sushi" I made, and it was perfect. Their prices are not quite as cheap as their dairy counterparts, but their prices have gotten better. They do use plastic packaging, unfortunately.

7/10

Silk

Non-dairy yogurt and milk 


Their yogurts, in my opinion, are better than regular dairy yogurts! I got a few different flavors that included toppings like: almonds, chia seeds, and granola. They were so delicious! I also loved their almond and soy milks. I tried both vanilla and plain- for making for mac & cheese and alfredo sauces- & they were both great. These products are definitely affordable and are packages in minimal, recyclable plastics.


9/10

Ben & Jerry's

Non-dairy ice cream


This ice cream is so creamy and heavenly. I tried a few flavors, and as an avid chocolate lover, my favorite was the chocolate fudge brownie. Minimal plastic, although there is some. These are less than $5 which is a decent price for a pint of ice cream. I highly recommend!!


9/10



Coming Soon...

"Choose This, Not That!"

Quick and easy switches we can make today!

A short list for now to think about...


Some to Switch, Some to Ditch!


LED bulbs 

Pens

Pencils

Trash bags 

Water bottles

Soaps (DAWN) 

laundry detergent 

recycling plastics 

shampoos & conditioners 

DRAINO 

Water filter (not plastic bottles) 

rechargeable batteries 

use recycled plastic 

ocean-recycled plastic

Replacing plastics --> More on this!

Metal or wooden toothbrushes

Lufas 

Toilet paper 

Paper towels 

Sponges 

Trash bags 

Storage baggies (Ziplock, etc.) 

Containers- no more zip lock baggies! 

Dog/pet poop bags 

Single-use plastics

Nalgene 

Coffee mug 

Lunch box 

Reusable bags (for fruit/groceries)

Algae-alternatives

Hemp-alternatives

Bamboo-alternatives

Ditch single-use plastics, altogether

Ditch the utensils! – get silicone, metal, bamboo, etc.

Ditch the straws! – get silicone, metal, bamboo, etc.

Plastic packaging for nearly every purchase

Plastic in delivered boxes

Plastic wrapped everything

Actions we can all take today


"Act as though your house was on fire, because it is."  - Greta Thunberg


Reduce/ Give up meat and dairy (This is a really big one)

Use reusable and cleaner energy sources

Solar energy

Manual energy (CSUN) 

Recycle!

Up-Cycle

DIYs- make your own stuff- Up-Cycle

Beach clean ups

Call people out when they litter!* 

        (We must be pro-active- change the norms)

            *It’s no longer cool to litter

Compost

Plant own vegetables

Collect rain water

Support sustainable companies

Support companies trying to go plastic-free

Research products

Help animals when you see them in need (or call someone who can)

Don’t buy animals from Pet stores! (it only fuels them being stolen from the ocean)

            *Supply + Demand

             Adopt! Don't shop

Support registered animal sanctuaries

Pick up trash or things that are not supposed to be there (wires, nets, shoes, etc.)

Plant trees!

Plant flowers

Water feeders for wildlife

Educate friends/ family

Educate kids/ young people

Educate older and less flexible- give easier options!

Urge people to be mindful

Don’t buy things unnecessarily packages or shipped

Buy local

Don’t support companies like Monsanto (I know it’s hard, but we have to stop funding them!)