10 WAYS THE 40’S WERE GREENER
As a natural company, the topic of going green was bound to come up soon. Recycling has been a point of discussion for some time now, and as we continue to sinfully waste and refuse to recycle, the Earth is beginning to pay the price. After years of warnings, climate change is becoming incredibly apparent, even on our doorsteps, with longer winters, and hotter summers. This is more than simply being too cold or too hot; the ice caps are melting and if we are to continue, we are surely on the way to witnessing natural disasters, loss of some animal species due to changing weather climates, and more. We would happily turn this into a science lesson, but that is not our aim with our weekly blogs. If you’d like to know more of the effects of climate change, feel free to head over to https://climate.nasa.gov/effects/ to find out all the details.
We were recently sent a short story by one of our readers that explicitly outlines how going ‘green’ is not a new age concept, as those from as early back as the 40’s really knew what being green meant. We found it absolutely fascinating how recycling had even existed back then. This weeks blog will detail all the ways in which the older generation recycled, and if it’s possible, maybe we can bring some of those recycling methods back!
10 WAYS THE 40’s WERE GREENER
1. Returned bottles
Plastic bottles were not an option back in the day. All drinks were in glass bottles, and once drinks were finished, bottles could be returned to the store they were brought form and exchanged, while the used bottles were sent to the bottling plant. They were washed, sterilised and refilled - ready to be used again immediately.
2. Brown paper bags
Since plastic bags began being sold for 5p at all supermarkets and retailers, many of the general public began saving their plastic bags and reusing them rather than having to pay for another in the future. This did bring to attention how many plastic bags we used and made our way through during shopping trips, but we’re sure it comes as hardly a surprise that paper bags were saved and reused even in the 40’s. Brown paper bags were given from the grocery stores, but were saved to be used either for future shopping trips, or for covering school books to keep them new.
3. Stairs only
Lifts and escalators were not yet invented back then, which meant your feet would get you up those 10 floors, nothing else. This is clearly an issue for those who are disabled and require assistance, but for many of us, we are far too used to taking the lazy way up even when we do not need it. We even take this laziness with us when we head off to the shops, climbing into our cars or riding the bus for two stops, in order to be lazy. Being lazy does feel good, but stretching your legs and saving the planet feels a lot better.
4. Diapers were reused
Now, this one is a little gross, and we’re not suggesting it, but merely explaining how many ways we seem to be spoiled these days and take for granted the resources we have. Back then, throw-away diapers were not very common as many people had very little money which meant washing and re-using diapers, rather than buying a mountain of pampers for your new born child. Maybe take this one a little differently and contemplate where else you may be able to save resources and waste less with your new born child.
5. Wind and solar power did the laundry
From beginning to end, the laundry wasted very little resources. Clothes were washed by hand and were hung out on a line to dry. Back then, wind and solar power really did do the laundry, how much greener could it get possibly get than that?! Why not try cutting down on electrical use by hanging the washing out in the spring sun sometime soon? The planet will thank you, and so will your gas and electricity bill…
6. 1 TV
We’re far too privileged and we don’t even seem to know it. Back in the 40’s, families were deemed lucky if they could afford to have one small TV screen for the whole family to share, and now we seem to have houses filled with TV’s in every room as decor. Can you see the problem in this, or is it just us? We urge you to contemplate the necessity of all your digital devices, and if it is not incredibly necessary, get rid of it! There really is no need for it.
7. No mixers or blenders
The housewives of the 40’s up until the 70’s really seem to be a standard stereotype of olden day living. They were welcoming, hospitable and an absolute whizz in the kitchen, relying on their “feminine talents” to ensure dinner was on the table. Well, as it turns out, cooking is for everyone, and we have made it a more accessible skill for all with the addition of countless cooking aids and utensils to mix, shake, stir, squeeze, slice and chop everything you need for dinner. But, what if we told you this was all possible without of all of these culinary utensils? Yes the job is longer and harder, but doesn’t everything feel so much better when you know you worked hard to achieve the result? It might be time to look over your kitchen space, and decide which appliances are a necessity, and which are an unneeded luxury.
8. Exercise was work
We know what you’re thinking, all these changes do sound like a lot more work, but this is why gyms were never as popular back in the old days. Manual labour was the only way things could be done, which meant people were always naturally exercising, rather than spending an excessive amount of money for a gym membership to only run in one spot.
9. Water fountains vs plastic cups and bottles
The summer heat was just as much of a burden back then as it is now, and rather than run to the local shop for a bottle of water, many people drank from the public fountains to drink water instantly. No plastic cups were needed and no bottles were needlessly wasted.
10. Buses and bikes rather than cars
Owning a car was a far bigger luxury back then than it is now, and with all of us behind the wheel, many people are becoming lazier, also losing money in the process, and harming the planet with their car emissions. Back then, there were only 3 major forms of transportation; the bus, a bike and yep, you guessed it - your legs. People would walk or cycle everywhere, and they seemed to get on just fine. Maybe this is one tip we can definitely all try to incorporate.
We don’t expect you to take on all this information and live life as if we were still in the 60’s, as we know it just would not be possible without a long list of complications. However, we do hope this has changed your perspective of the new age concept ‘going green’, and rather than ‘go green’, we hope to all return back to simply ‘being green’.
We hope you’ve enjoyed this weeks post. Let us know how you get on by getting in touch via our Twitter page @MoroccanNatural, Instagram @Moroccan_Natural or find us on Facebook @ Moroccan Natural.