Live Eco-Friendly With These Five Tips

We only have one Earth, and we need to protect it. The earth and its inhabitants are a party of Allah’s perfect creation. Therefore, we have a duty to honour and protect it. “Remember when your Lord said to the angels, ‘I am going to place a successive human authority on earth.’” Qur’an, 2:30 As climate change continues to impact both the health of our atmosphere and our lives on the ground, it’s important that everyone, from individuals to major companies that create global waste, makes an effort to reduce waste. When it comes to waste, we’re not just talking about throwing away plastics–waste comes in many forms. It’s important to conserve, reuse, and live without using excessively. The best way to prevent waste is to not create it in the first place. We’re going to talk about ways individuals can live sustainably, and what we are doing as a fashion brand to reduce waste on our end. Recycle This is the obvious one. If you live in an area that has recycling programs, you can separate your recyclables from your other household waste, and have waste services take it to a recycling plant. You can even get paid for it too! Recyclable materials typically include plastics, cardboard, aluminium, and paper. That covers most household items that aren’t food-waste! Did you know that manufacturing with recycled aluminium is 92% more efficient than with raw materials? So by recycling, you’re not only minimising materials waste, but energy waste too! If you don’t live in a region where waste services pick up recycling, you can take it to a recycling plant yourself. “…And do not desire corruption in the land. Indeed, God does not like corruptors. ” Qur’an 28:77 Ditch grocery store bags When you leave the grocery store, how many plastic bags do you leave with? That’s a lot of waste. Try bringing your own tote bags instead. Buy some sturdy, reusable tote bags, ideally made from fabric. By using large tote bags, you’ll eliminate the need for plastic grocery bags. They’re also easier to carry, so it means less trips from your kitchen to your car. Plastic bags take hundreds of years to decompose in nature, and they cause countless issues for wildlife. For example, sea turtles often confuse plastic bags for jellyfish, their natural prey, and they can suffocate while trying to eat them. Like many adults, I’m sure you’ve accumulated a collection of grocery bags stuffed away in a cupboard somewhere in your kitchen. Don’t throw them away just yet. Reuse them as waste-bin liners, or bags to store your compost in. “…And do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.” Qur’an, 2:60 Watch what you buy The truth is, we live in an age of consumerism. Most of us consume more than we need—new electronics, home goods, toys, and gadgets. Before running out and making an impulse purchase, try to do some thinking first. Is that new TV set really what you need right now? Can you live without those new shoes that you’ll probably wear just once? Try to weigh your needs against your wants. By limiting your consumerism, you can limit your waste. Buy second-hand, Donate your old stuff Second-hand stores and thrift shops are all the rage these days. They have great finds at bargain prices–but did you know they’re also an environmentally friendly way to shop? By buying second-hand, you’re eliminating a piece of waste, whereas if you buy at a retail store, whatever you’re purchasing will need to be replaced–creating more waste. Less market demand for new retail goods means less waste produced in the factories that make them! Second-hand stores are also a great place to drop off things you’re getting rid of. You might have recently done some spring-cleaning in your house. Maybe you have old stuff–clothes, electronics, etc, that you want to get rid of. Don’t take them to the dumpster! They’ll end up in a landfill. By donating these items, you’ll be giving them a new home in someone else’s life. Second-hand stores are often tied to a charitable mission, so chances are you’re helping your community too! “And We made the sky a protected ceiling, but they, from its signs, are turning away.” Qur’an, 21:32 Avoid disposable goods Especially if you have children or often host guests, it’s tempting to buy disposable dinnerware like plastic cups, plates, and cutlery. These cheap plasticware are a nightmare for the environment. For example, non-durable goods like plastic plates make up about 20% of the United States’ total annual waste, which was around 50 million tons in 2015. We get it, doing the dishes isn’t fun for anyone. That's why you should make your kids do them! “And We have sent down blessed rain from the sky and made grow thereby gardens and grain from the harvest.” Qur’an, 50:9 Fast Fashion and the Environment Fast Fashion is becoming faster than ever. A piece of clothing is worn an average of seven times before it’s discarded. There are services that ship consumers a new box of clothes each month. Overall, fashion is responsible for 10 percent of greenhouse gases, and 20 percent of global wastewater. Often, cheap clothing from fast-fashion brands are made from synthetic, non-sustainable materials that produce toxic waste and don’t decompose. To reduce waste, fashion companies should use better materials, and zero-waste production techniques. That means using extra care in pattern-cutting so that less fabric ends up on the cutting room floor. Companies can also use digital tools and programs to work through trial and error of designs before putting them into production. Doing Our Part At Bokitta, we do our part to minimise waste on our end, and on yours. Click To see what we have in store for you We believe in creating timeless, quality designs that won’t go out of style. Our clothes are made to last. Our Hijabs are made with a minimum of 95% organic, biodegradable cotton. Our debut clothing line is made from plant-based tencel fabric. Our products ship in sturdy, reusable boxes, which are designed to be reused in the home for storage or as gift boxes.