February is Environmental Health Awareness Month, so while you’re thinking of ways to spoil your Valentine, it’s important to show the Earth a little extra love as well.
Do your bit to promote a healthier environment, by following these five easy solutions to common pollution problems:
- Ban the Bag
The problem: Many of us load up on plastic shopping bags every time we take a trip to the store, and don’t even think to reuse them once before throwing them away. No wonder these packets have become a pollutant plague to our parks, beaches and other beautiful natural spaces.
The solution: Use canvas or paper shopping bags instead of plastic bags. Choose convenient, lightweight bags that you can easily fold up and carry around. If you get caught without your reusable bags and have to use plastic, be sure to reuse that plastic bag as much as you can before you toss it.
- Start Composting
The problem: Food is biodegradable, so it should be safe to throw away, right? Wrong! Household food waste is a growing issue, with more and more discarded food in our landfills fuelling the production of methane and carbon dioxide – bad news for the environment.
The solution: Instead of tossing out your food scraps and leftovers, compost them. You’ll be cutting right down on household waste, and creating an affordable, effective source of nutrients for your garden at the same time. This is a good opportunity to start growing some of your own garden-fresh goodies!
- Ditch the Bottle
The problem: The disposable plastic bottle is another common item that ends up in the rubbish dump after just one use. Not only are plastic bottles pollutants, they’re also filled with potentially dangerous chemicals (like BPA) which leach out as the plastic starts to break down.
The solution: Get a snazzy reusable (glass or stainless steel) drinking bottle to carry your favourite refreshments with you to the office or the gym. A reusable bottle is better for the planet and safer for your health – plus it’s designed to last for many years, saving you money in the long run.
- Shop Local
The problem: Big chain stores are convenient shopping destinations, but they also have a significant impact on the environment. These stores require a lot of transportation for their goods, resulting in a high level of carbon emissions.
The solution: Instead of shopping at large national chain stores, support smaller local businesses as often as you can. These businesses typically use fewer resources (land, water, transportation etc), which means lower carbon emissions. Buying locally grown produce helps to support local farmers, and shopping with locally owned businesses will strengthen your local economy.
- Say No to Straws
The problem: Plastic drinking straws are yet another huge source of pollution, especially in the oceans. Straws are among the top 10 most common litter items picked up during costal cleanups. What’s more, they’re completely unnecessary! You’ll typically use a straw for just a few minutes before binning it.
The solution: Start saying no to plastic straws this year. Ordering your drinks without straws is one small habit that contributes to a big difference for the planet. You can also get on board with the eco-chic crowd, and invest in your own reusable straw from a local sustainable brand. There are so many stylish options out there, made with materials like glass, stainless steel or biodegradable bamboo.
These simple changes will turn you into an environmental health hero before the year is over!
Sources
Rethink the Bag
Retrieved from http://www.aquarium.co.za/rethinkthebag
Strawless Ocean
Retrieved from https://www.strawlessocean.org/faq/
Ban the Bottle
Retrieved from www.banthebottle.net
Why should I compost?
Retrieved from http://greenactioncentre.ca/reduce-your-waste/why-should-i-compost/