How to care for the environment - examples of plastic substitution and more
Each of us can, and indeed should, take care of the environment. After all, even the seemingly smallest decisions like throwing away a plastic water bottle or ice paper in the wrong place can have a huge impact on the state of our planet on a larger scale. On top of all this, there is also rapid climate change, as well as the rapid development of civilization, which makes nature, which has already endured more than one thing, suffer even more every year. Therefore, the topic of environmental protection today is so important that it should not be avoided - it should be talked about loudly and at every possible opportunity!
In today's post, we'll talk about ways to combat the ubiquitous plastic, which is a source of danger to the planet, as well as about changing some habits to greener ones. We invite you to read - SlowPack.
Why do we need to take care of the environment?
As we wrote in the introduction - the topic of environmental protection is extremely important. After all, a clean planet - and consequently - air are of great importance in terms of our health and well-being. In all this, we must not only think about ourselves and what is happening today, but also about future generations. After all, the air we all breathe is and will always already be part of the environment.
Our health, among other things, depends on its condition. Poor air quality brings with it various dangers for every individual, as well as reduces the overall comfort of life - after all, there is no person in the world who would like, for example, smog, which is most often the result of so-called low emissions, i.e. pollution from home heating stoves, which often use garbage such as plastic for kindling.
It is worth knowing that nearly 50,000 Poles die annually as a result of diseases caused by air pollution.
How to take care of the environment? Pay attention to the amount of waste produced
If you want to start consciously taking care of the environment, at the very beginning pay attention to what kind and how much garbage you produce. Waste of various kinds is currently one of the biggest threats to the environment. According to the latest data, the average Pole produces about 350 kg of garbage per year - this is (negatively) impressive, isn't it? Especially when the aforementioned number is multiplied by the number of inhabitants, which gives us more than 13 million tons of garbage per year produced in Poland alone!
How to reduce the amount of waste? Think about segregating garbage and reducing plastic
Garbage will always be a problem - after all (at least as of today) there is no way not to produce waste. This is true in every household, business premises or large industrial plants. However, you can reduce the amount of it in a few simple ways.
First - segregate your trash. This is one of the most important things to mention. After all, the level of segregation, and therefore recycling, is very low in our country. By following the rules of segregation, we will be able to realistically take care of the environment without going beyond our own backyard. Thanks to this, recyclable materials will not end up in a landfill, but will be reused. At this moment in Poland, from the previously mentioned 350 kg of garbage, only 30% of raw materials are recovered.
An example of a recycled product - an eco-friendly paper soup cup
Second - cut down on plastic (or preferably give it up completely). As you already know, plastic products are one of the main sources of environmental pollution. They pose a threat not only to our health, but also to animals (mainly marine ones - in the waters we can find huge amounts of plastic bottles and other products made of this plastic leading to the death of innocent creatures). How can you do it? When going shopping, give up disposable plastic bags, which not only are not environmentally friendly, but also like to break at the least expected moment. For shopping, reusable bags made of paper, for example, or eco-friendly substitutes for plastic bags, namely biodegradable disposable plastic bags, will work better.
An eco-friendly paper bag with a handle is a much better option than a traditional disposable plastic bag
A biodegradable commercial made from potato flour is an option for those who want to give up plastic, but are still fans of lightweight shopping bags
The situation is similar with vegetables and fruits. Instead of buying them in plastic trays, put them in bulk in bio packs. You can cut down on plastic both in your home and in your dining establishment. Disposable cutlery is also common in both places. Buy biodegradable and eco-friendly replacements instead.
A spoon made of wheat bran, an eco alternative to plastic disposables, which are used on a daily basis at home or in a commercial establishment
Reducing trash is not enough - what else can you do for the environment?
Many factors influence what state the environment is in. Waste, and the amount of it, is just one component that has a real impact on the world around us, which means that changing habits in buying eco-friendly packaging, cutlery or other everyday items like biodegradable garbage bags is not enough.
Of course - it' s a big step to protect the environment - but it's also worth keeping in mind the other problems our planet is currently facing, including water scarcity or ways to generate electricity and heat, among others. So what else can you do to make the environment and us live better?
- Conserve water - follow the principle of conservation and turn off the water when brushing your teeth or shaving. Also, use quick showers instead of baths, and don't pour out water that you can reuse.
- Use alternative means of transportation - instead of a car or city bus, use a bicycle or electric scooter, and if you live in Wroclaw or Venice - perhaps a canoe will work? ;)
- Invest in renewable energy sources.
- Incorporate the idea of ZERO WASTE, which you can read about in our previous post titled Zero Waste Products - ideas from SlowPack!
And if you want to change your habits today, check out SlowPack's offer. You'll find fully biodegradable and eco-friendly everyday items for your catering establishment and home. Feel free to browse through the wholesaler's assortment and stock up on nature-friendly items. SlowPack - eco-friendly packaging.
See other posts:
Zero Waste products - ideas from Slowpack
12 steps on how to live more eco
What gives and what does paper recycling look like?
A lunchbox for a child is much more than just a breakfast box
