Memorial Day is a holiday to observe fallen soldiers and their service to this country. Not only is it a celebration to honor those that sacrificed themselves for our freedom, but it’s also a holiday that reminds us to hold gratitude for those that are still with us. However, this tradition is nothing new. The practice of honoring those who have fallen in battle dates back thousands of years. In fact, the ancient Greeks and Romans held days of remembrance annually for soldiers by festooning their burial sites with flowers and gifts, then carrying on throughout the day and night with festivals and feasts in their honor. In Athens, funerals were held publicly for fallen soldiers after each battle, and then they were placed in the Kerameikosa cemetery, located to the northwest of the Acropolis.
The Kerameikosa, (pronounced ce-ra-mi-kos) cemetery was located in the “potters quarter” from which the English word “ceramic” is derived. This area could be compared to a modern day factory for pots, cups and other items all made to hold wine, oils, water and other items. The main difference is that rather than churning out detrimental plastics, packaging and other harmful products this factory made products from the earth. While grief is no less painful today than it was to the ancients, our celebrations are quite different, and so are the items we use to celebrate them.
Today, many of our outdoor celebrations include solo cups, paper plates, plastic silverware, water bottles, paper towels, plastic bags and the like. We’ve been conditioned to believe that this makes our festivities easier and more convenient. But as we enter a new age, all of us need to become more aware of our daily habits, because our choices and our dollar equal a vote. When the ancients celebrated their festivities the worse thing they could do was leave behind an earthen pot, or break it. I would guess that within a year that pot would simply return to the earth, as opposed to that water bottle or solo cup left behind that will continue to see many more days on this earth than we ever will.
Sustainable living simply means that you are being proactive in reducing your demand on the resources you use. In other words, you’re making conscious decisions to the best of your ability to find eco alternatives that are safe and reusable. Most already know that climate change, global warming and depletion of resources are real, and their impact, if ignored will be devastating. Even if you can’t do 20 things, this holiday and the summer season is an opportunity to adopt two or three easy practices to promote a more sustainable life.Being sustainable looks different for everyone, but the environment and your daily habits needs to be on the top of your priority list if we are to create change. Below I’ve included 11 eco alternatives to your everyday outdoor party needs:
Eco Tins. | Mesh bags | Reusable Colored Cups | Melamine Side Plates | Organic Paperless Towels | Final Straw | Compostable Trash Bag | Wax Wraps | Buffalo Check Tablecloth | Reusable Cutlery | Mosquito Repellent |
The best thing about investing in reusable products is that it saves money and the planet. And even if you aren’t ready to partake in every single thing on the above list, small steps equal big impact! I use all of the above items everyday. That’s what is so great about these products – they aren’t just for the outdoors. These are items you can use everyday at home! What a great way to show your kids that the planet matters! Look at you being ECO!! Whoo hoo! Want more fantastic tips and alternate eco suggestions? Be sure to check out my eco website here. Included you’ll find a copy of my book, Easy Everyday Habits to be More Eco-Friendly and if you don’t want to buy the book, I’ve included Random Acts of Sustainability and Conscious Consumerism for free. Just head on over to the website to learn more, and don’t forget to have a fantastic summer!