With the environmental crisis worsening every year, it is imperative that we, collectively, begin to make a change. What most don’t realize is that it’s not just the big things that are beneficial, even the smallest of changes to your daily routine can make a great difference. This article will highlight how you can start to alter your behaviors and create a better and greener world.
How Can You Help Our Environment
Fix, don’t replace.
Whilst it is true that things simply aren’t built to last like they used to be, it is also true that in our evermore consumerist world, it is easy to simply replace our broken items, just because you can buy another one for practically nothing. Certain things shouldn’t be fixed, unless you’re trained to do so, larger electrical appliances like ovens, for example. But items like soft toys, furniture, clothes, and decorative pieces, they’re all things that can be sewn, glued, and painted to look just like new again. If you don’t have sewing skills, crafting, art, or carpentry in your arsenal, now is the time to learn a new craft and become more environmentally conscious.
Buy from charity shops.
There are often times that you’ll discover the perfect item for just a fraction of the cost of a brand new one. Charity shops not only substantially reduce waste, but also provide for those in need, and often sell high-quality goods for low prices. Charity shops don’t take just anything, they ensure that any electronics are functional, all fabrics are of good quality, and the cost of second-hand items is extremely affordable.
Don’t purchase plastics for no reason.
One of the endless problems with plastics is that they can be molded into absolutely anything, in any color, with any print, easily and affordably. Although this seems great on the surface, underneath is a world filled with disposable plastic that has a degradation rate of over 450 years. As opposed to uncontrollably buying plastic products like disposable forks, cheap lunch boxes, and one-use plates, endeavor to use biodegradable products or at least durable products that will last you for more than a couple of weeks.
Clean up.
There’s no doubt that we should all be working together to heal our planet and make it a better place to live for ourselves and for those who come after us. However, some people just don’t want to help. In that case, those who care need to band together even more and clean up the messes other people make, as frustrating as that can be. By cleaning up your surroundings, you create a nicer and more inviting space that will hopefully encourage other people to want to maintain. It doesn’t take any time at all to pick up a couple of bits of litter, so why not clean up a little bit?
Bike more.
Driving is unavoidable for long journeys, and you’re not a monster for using a car to get around. But, if you can walk or bike, you should, because it will do you and the environment so much good. One of the largest sources of pollution is the transportation industry, as fuel creates harmful greenhouse gases that are contributing to global warming. By biking where you can, you eliminate another case of a polluting journey and exercise yourself, which is proven to improve your physical, mental, and emotional health.
Invest in a rainwater storage tank.
One of the most impactful ways that you can positively impact the environment is by moving away from the mains water supply and collecting your own rainwater. Mains water needs constant treatment from large companies to ensure that the water is fit for consumption, but rainwater can be treated on the outskirts of your home using a rainwater storage tank. If you choose to opt for a rainwater storage tank, then you need to consider investing in water tank lining, to ensure that your tank doesn’t degrade, experience bacteria buildup, or need replacing any time soon. Water tanks can last upwards of 10 years with correct maintenance, which should be done by trained professionals as cleaning can be quite dangerous. Companies like COVAC provide these services so that you can continue to collect rainwater for years to come.
Don’t throw old fruits and vegetables away.
Nobody likes mushy fruit and vegetables, except for nature. So, rather than discarding your inedible natural foods, why not create a compost pile and feed your garden? Fruits and vegetables are extremely nutritious, which is a quality that is not lost when they expire. By starting a compost heap, you’re simply transferring those nutrients from the fruit to the ground, which thrives on beneficial minerals. Compost heaps can enrich your soil, reduce the need for chemical fertilizers and encourage helpful fungi growth.
Use reusable shopping bags.
Shopping bags made of plastic are mass-produced and used across the world every day. But they’re extremely harmful to the environment. In fact, in 2019, a plastic shopping bag was found at the bottom of the Mariana Trench, the deepest known part of the explored ocean, and likely won’t decompose for decades. Even then, plastic doesn’t fully disappear. Plastics will merely break down into microplastics and never truly go away. This is why, now that we know the true extent of the environmental damage that could be caused by plastics, opting for reusable fabric and mesh shopping bags is so important. Rather than spending 10p on several non-biodegradable plastic bags every week, convert them into reusable shopping bags. We sincerely hope that you’ve been enlightened to at least one new way of helping the environment that you wouldn’t have even thought of before reading this article. We only have one planet. Sustainability and conscious decision-making are the only ways in which we can ensure that our planet stays habitable.
