Letters: Reusing, fixing old products will only help the environment

I am Sarah Janey and currently a student at Northern Arizona University but am writing to you because Surprise is my hometown.

I feel greatly for environmental issues but fear that my neighbors in Surprise aren’t aware of everything they can do to help as well. There are many things a person can do to help the earth, and it’s often cheaper as well.

One major thing that greatly contributes to pollution and creating all that trash seen on the highways and roads is overconsumption, which is when people buy more things than necessary.

I agree, you still will want to buy things you don’t need but want, and that is completely OK, but there are small things we can do to reduce our footprint.

For one, use an item until it breaks, even if a new and better version comes out. Yours is still fine. Use it until it works.

And if you’re able, and you possess the skills, when something you own breaks, fix it. If you don’t know how, reach out to your neighbors, form those connections, and make a friend while you’re at it.

There are also plenty of shops around town where one can take their items for help in fixing it, such as the place you bought the item. There are many other ways to be sustainable without it making a huge impact on your life.

One that I did that I encourage everyone to try out at least once is the switch from paper towels. Paper towels are used very often in most households, and it makes up a great unnecessary cost while buying them every month. Try going out and buying some cloth napkins/towels. But the difference is you only need to buy them once. Then after you’ve used them and they’re dirty, you can throw them in the weekly wash. Easy as pie.

I hope the Surprise Independent can share with its readers how easy it is to be more earth-friendly and how it also helps their wallet.

Reader reactions, pro or con, are welcomed at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.