Environmental issues are now a very personal issue and many people are becoming more aware of them. The most obvious trend is “sustainability,” which involves allocating and using resources in the most cost-effective way. Therefore, we’d like to recommend 10 simple ways to preserve the environment that you can do right away. Let’s take a look at the methods.
Reducing plastic bag use starts with reducing it. This is easy to do. Currently, department stores like Central have stopped giving plastic bags to customers to help the environment. Many people may wonder why we should reduce plastic bag use, as they are convenient and lightweight. This is because:
They are difficult to decompose and can last up to 450 years.
If burned, they release toxic chemicals that pollute the atmosphere.
They are harmful to marine life, as they mistake them for food.
Plastic bags also have numerous negative effects. Let’s save the planet together by using cloth bags. They last a long time and can hold a lot of stuff.
- Donate your unwanted items. If you have a closet full of clothes you don’t wear, or shelves full of books you don’t read, these things can also be used to help preserve the environment by donating them to others. Many people may wonder why this helps preserve the environment. That’s because it helps reduce waste, because we don’t throw them away, but give them to others to use. In addition to helping the environment, it also helps the poor who need these items.
- Reducing your personal car use is a simple way we can do right away. You can do this by alternating your car use every other day and switching to public transportation instead, as one car can create greenhouse gas emissions. Or, if you’re more comfortable, try using a bicycle instead, which helps both the environment and your health.
- Plant more trees if you still have some space at home. Invite friends or family members to plant a tree each. Trees are an important resource that helps increase oxygen in the air and reduce carbon dioxide. They are also important for the life cycles of various animals.
- Using paper on both sides is something very close to us, especially those who frequently deal with paper, such as students or office workers. Most of them use it to create documents or reports, and most only use one side of the paper. Therefore, we recommend that after using a report, reuse it by using the back side of the paper to continue writing down work. This will ensure it can be used to its full potential before it becomes waste.
- Shop locally. Simply cut back on online shopping and switch to local shopping. You’ll be doing your bit to protect the environment, as you’ll be reducing the carbon emissions from transportation. Not only will this help the environment, it’ll also help you get out and explore the area, boosting your income.
- Watering Plants with Used Water Watering plants is a crucial factor in every home. You can easily preserve the environment by using used water to water your plants, whether it’s from washing clothes, bathing, or washing dishes. This method will help you maximize water resources, reduce pollution from water control and treatment, and save money. Furthermore, water mixed with laundry detergent also contains phosphorus and nitrogen, which aid in photosynthesis and generate energy for plants. It’s a multi-faceted benefit.
- Switch from tissues to hand towels. “Tissues” are a staple at any dining table, helping to clean hands, tables, and other items when dirt builds up. However, the downside is that tissues tear easily and only absorb a small amount of dirt. After that, they become trash. Therefore, we recommend switching to hand towels instead, as they can be washed and reused after use.
- Focus on repairs, not new purchases. It’s true that when something breaks, buying a new one seems to be the most appropriate solution. But did you know that these items will eventually become garbage? Therefore, to reduce unnecessary waste, it’s recommended that you repair things that can still be repaired, such as TVs, refrigerators, smartphones, and others, so that they can last longer.
- For coffee lovers who frequently drink coffee, we recommend using your own cup instead of accepting plastic cups from the store. Besides helping to maintain the temperature of your coffee, the cup also helps reduce plastic waste.
