We often see or hear the word recycle daily, but what does it mean, and how much is it helping our planet? Below, we discuss the process of recycling, its benefits, and how you can incorporate recycled plastic into your everyday wardrobe in sustainable and stylish ways.
Recycling
Recycling transforms discarded materials into new products to reduce energy usage and pollution. It involves collecting, sorting, processing, and changing materials like paper, glass, metal, and plastic into raw materials that can create new products.
As recycling laws and guidelines may vary depending on the state or territory, it can help reduce confusion or stress by researching your local area’s rules for curbside recycling and knowing where the closest collection point is.
How Recycling Can Help the Planet
Recycling is crucial in preserving our planet and ensuring a sustainable future. By recycling, we reduce the production of greenhouse gases and minimize the pollution of soil and water. Recycling reduces habitat destruction and deforestation by lessening the need to collect raw materials from the earth to create new plastics and products.
Items such as plastic straws threaten our planet due to their inability to biodegrade and quickly end up in the oceans or public spaces, adding to the issue of microplastics and littering. By using one of the many recyclable alternatives to plastic straws, including paper, bamboo, metal, or silicone, we can all help to reduce our environmental footprints.
Improving the Economy
Another reason why recycling is so important is that it’s a key component in a circular economy, where resources get used for as long as possible with minimal waste. Recycling encourages sustainable resource management and economic resilience. We can encourage individuals, businesses, and communities to adopt environmentally responsible behaviors and practices by highlighting the importance of waste reduction, resource conservation, and sustainable consumption.
Damaging Effects of Plastic Pollution
Countries around the world are banning plastic in hopes of reducing the amount of pollution, from banning single-use products, plastic straws, and bag bans. Plastic can decompose for up to 1000 years, so recycling is essential. To maximize the impact recycling can have on our planet, educating and raising awareness and supporting companies and brands that incentivize recycling and ethical practices is critical.
Recycling prevents plastic from polluting the environment and reduces the need to produce new plastic, lowering greenhouse gas emissions. The process begins when bottles, bags, and packaging that typically go to a landfill or into the ocean are retrieved.
Once the plastic waste is collected, it gets sorted by type and color for consistency in the final products. It then gets shredded, broken down or melted to be molded into new shapes and forms. From Casely phone cases to jewelry, sunglasses, and handbags, trendy everyday accessories get recycled from plastic.
Benefits of Recycled Accessories
There are many benefits to buying recycled accessories beyond simply adding to your outfit. Many brands that create recycled accessories prioritize ethical sourcing and production, often supporting local communities, which can contribute to social and economic development.
By wearing something made from recycled plastic, you can grow a conversation about sustainability and environmental issues. Not to mention, recycled products can be unique and stand out from the conventional, something more brands are trying to accomplish.
Many brands are starting to claim their goal is to be eco-friendly and use 100% recycled materials, but be careful as it’s not always what it seems. Greenwashing and buzzwords have made knowing where to get genuine eco-friendly accessories challenging. We have many guides on some of our favorite brands that make recycled accessories.
Sustainability
Now more than ever, it’s vital for brands to consider sustainability to look after our planet. Fashion brands now produce almost twice the volume of clothes and accessories they made in 2000. Responsible brands are mindful of the entire lifespan of their products, not just their creation, ensuring that their items can be recycled or biodegraded once they are no longer usable, committing to sustainability from production to disposal.
Shop Recycled
The next time you need a new purse or wallet, look for one made from recycled materials. Don’t stop there; shoes could be considered one of the most essential accessories to any outfit. From sneakers to heels and everything in between, some of the biggest brands are considering sustainability when creating their products.
Sunglasses get lost or broken and constantly need replacing. When that happens, look into brands that use recycled plastic to create their stylish shades, and consider whether they can be recycled when you’re ready to part ways with them. Accessories can be sustainable and modern; you must know where to shop.
There are many ways companies can improve their sustainability and eco-friendliness. Still, everyone can do their part by educating each other and spreading the word on the importance of recycling.
Closing thoughts
By featuring recycled accessories in your wardrobe, you can make a stylish statement while positively impacting the planet. While it may seem like just one person can’t have that much impact, consider sharing your information and watch the spread happen. It has to start somewhere, and buying recycled the next time you’re in the market for the latest accessory is one way to reduce your environmental impact and feel better about your shop.
