Earth Overshoot Day marks the date when humanity's consumption of ecological resources and services in a given year surpasses what the Earth can regenerate within that same year. According to the Earth Overshoot website, we compensate for this deficit by depleting stocks of ecological resources and accumulating waste, predominantly carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. United Kindgom’s Overshoot day is the 3rd of June, which is calculated based on the average CO2 footprint of an inhabitant of the UK (5 tonnes a year per capita).
In 2023, the global Earth Overshoot Day was observed on August 2nd. The realization that we consume natural resources four months before the year ends is alarming. This milestone serves as a crucial moment to reconsider our consumption habits.
On an individual level, we can make a difference by consciously managing our resource use. Embracing the 5R's—refuse, reduce, reuse, repurpose, and recycle—is a good starting point. Before purchasing, it's wise to consider if the item is essential and whether you have something similar at home. While recycling is vital, it should ideally be the last resort, aiming instead to repurpose or reuse items to minimize waste.
This year, we wanted think about small actions we can implement in our lives to delay the earth’s overshoot day. We would like to give you some ideas of activities you can do this week that are more eco-friendly.
First idea – Cook with a purpose
We have found some recipes for you with zero waste:
- How to make vegetable broth with vegetable scraps
- Other nice zero-waste recipes
Second – Tech-free moments
Go for a walk outside during one hour instead of using electronics. According to the Carbon Trust, the carbon footprint of viewing one hour of video-on-demand streaming is approximately 55gCO2e in Europe. This is 0,0011% of the average annual footprint of an habitant of the UK (5 tonnes of CO2), which isn’t much but going for a walk outside is also great for your health!
Third – Waste Reduction
One of the most obvious actions you can undertake is limiting the waste you produce at home. It entails a multifaceted approach that extends beyond mere purchasing habits. While buying from refill shops and utilizing personal containers are good practices, integrating waste-free alternatives into everyday life is equally crucial. This might involve opting for products with minimal or biodegradable packaging, embracing reusable alternatives to single-use items such as cloth bags instead of plastic ones, and composting organic waste to divert it from landfills. You can for example buy Georganics products that have a plastic-free packaging with easily recyclable components 😊. Our glass jars can also be reused once empty and used for other purposes like storing spices, nuts, a dessert …
Last – Make a new sponge with old socks/ t-shirts
In line with waste reduction, you can create your own tawashi sponge with the following DIY . A tawashi sponge is created by weaving pieces of old fabric together. It can also be a great week-end activity with kids !
Ultimately, the significance of Earth Overshoot Day lies not only in its acknowledgment but also in our commitment to reverse the trend through conscious choices and concerted efforts. We aim to do our part at Georganics by offering you good products that do not produce unnecessary waste and that can be reuse.
