🌀🌍 Are You Ready for Hurricane Season? Here’s How to Build a Zero-Waste Emergency Kit

Hurricane season is back (unfortunately), and after last year’s chaos, being prepared isn’t just smart, it’s essential. The good news? Your emergency kit doesn’t have to be wasteful, expensive, or overwhelming. With a few sustainable products, you can build a kit that’s ready for any emergency and better for the planet.

What Makes a Kit Sustainable?
 A zero-waste emergency kit is:

• Reusable over disposable
• Rechargeable over single use
• Smartly stored—not panic-bought

It’s time to ditch plastic and bulk buying in favor of long-lasting essentials you can rely on. 

Must-Haves for Every Kit (with Eco-Friendly Swaps)

• Water: Skip bulk single-use bottles and choose large refillable jugs or durable water bottles instead. Remember it’s best to have 1 gallon per person per day.
• Lighting: Use rechargeable LED flashlights or solar lanterns.
• Power: Solar chargers are a great alternative to disposable batteries.
• Food: Stock up on dry goods and store them in reusable or compostable containers. Don’t forget a manual can opener!
• Toiletries: Choose biodegradable soap bars, reusable cloths, toothpaste tabs, and a bamboo toothbrush.
• First Aid Kit: Include essentials for treating minor injuries.
• Important Documents: Keep copies of IDs, insurance, and medical records in a waterproof bag.
   

Always remember to label everything clearly when packing your kit. If the power goes out, you’ll want to find what you need quickly and safely.

Extra Emergency Tips

• Have a printed map of your evacuation route, as GPS may fail during a storm.
• Create a mini kit for your pet with collapsible bowls, food, meds, etc.
• Download essential apps like the Florida Storms app for regular updates.
• ALWAYS build your kit before a storm, since stores get crowded once a storm is announced. 
   

📺 Want More Hurricane Season Tips?

For even more helpful information, watch the new Florida This Week hurricane special episode. After a 2024 season like no other, the 2025 Hurricane Season is here. Learn how WEDU PBS provides critical information and alerts during storms. Meteorologist Denis Phillips shares lessons from 2024 and his preparations for the season ahead, along with advice from residents and businesses that weathered Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

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