April 22 marks the fifty-sixth anniversary of Earth Day—a day set aside each year to remind us of the role we all play in protecting our planet. Reducing waste is one of the main ways we can take action to make our planet healthier. Case in point: every year, Americans throw away 265.3 million metric tons of trash, amounting to 1,788 pounds per person. Much of this trash is composed of plastics—only a small fraction of which gets recycled.
Reducing your household waste may seem like a difficult challenge, but Elana and Stephen Smith, owners of One World Zero Waste in Tequesta, are in the business of making earth-friendly living easy. The couple opened their business in 2018 after a honeymoon trip to India. “India doesn’t have municipal waste, so it is much more obvious there,” says Elana. “Everything is piled up on the side of the road. Here waste gets taken away … but ‘away’ doesn’t mean it disappears.”
The couple decided to take on the challenge of teaching people how to reduce waste. At their store in Tequesta, shoppers can find all kinds of earth-friendly products for use in their everyday lives. From cloth wipes and food-storage bags to metal straws and bulk food items, One World Zero Waste gives shoppers a myriad of simple ways to reduce waste in their homes. For shoppers who can’t stop into the store, One World Zero Waste’s website offers online ordering for in-store products plus fresh produce, dairy, eggs, and meat sourced from local farmers, all available for delivery to your door. The goal is to make earth-friendly living simple for everyday people. “We thought if zero waste was easy, wouldn’t everyone do it?” says Elana. “So, we made it easy.”
Eco Glow-Up
Ready to swap in some earth-friendly products? Elana gives her recommendations for five home solutions that are easy to implement and create a major impact.
Bowl Covers
“Use these to cover bowls and plates for leftovers or directly on food like a half a watermelon. Basically, you use them instead of plastic wrap. Also, with all the people making sourdough, they are perfect for covering dough.”
Bar Cleaners
“We have salon-quality bar shampoo and conditioner, plus body soap, dish soap, and face soap.”
Reusable Paper Towels
“Our NonPaper Towels tend to be the best first step because we put them on a roll, and you put them on your paper towel holder just like paper towels. You can pull them off and then you toss them in the laundry instead of the trash. People really like them, and they also see the benefits in their wallet because they pay for themselves.”
Reusable Food Bags
“Instead of a Ziploc bag, use these for food storage. They are perfect for keeping produce fresh, so they help eliminate food waste.”
Cloth Diapers and Covers
“These are a commitment, but there are mountains of waste with baby diapers. It’s so harmful to the environment.”
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