Humans are the only species that don't demonstrate zero-waste lifestyles, and they are the reason for many of the detriments and harm brought upon the environment. Global warming and ecosystem damage are two things that we are heavily responsible for, and as a result, nature is slowly being destroyed. Although the damage we have done is nearly irreversible, there are many doable alternatives we can switch to in order to take better care of our home on Earth. Continue reading to learn about how our waste is impacting the environment and how we can take responsibility to create a positive change!
Our Waste Impact on the Environment
For an extended period of time, we have been generating huge amounts of waste, shown by the growth of our landfills, islands of trash in the ocean, and an abundance of littering everywhere we go. The lifestyle we have is so integrated with waste production, that most of us can't imagine living a zero-waste life like all the other species on our planet. However, the impact our lifestyles have on the environment are immense.
Because our waste is non-biodegradable (meaning they can't be broken down naturally by other organisms) and non-recyclable, the amount of waste we produce continues to increase. According to the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), we have produced 6.3 billion metric tons of just plastic waste, only 9% of which have been recycled. As the numbers continue to increase year after year, our Earth continues to be destroyed due to our waste elimination methods.
At landfills, the piles of trash is burned, releasing huge amounts of methane gas into the atmosphere, a greenhouse gas that is heating up the Earth to dangerous temperatures. This has resulted in many terrible occurrences in nature, such as ice caps melting (creating a loss of habitat for creatures living in the poles), sea levels rising (resulting in the flooding of areas near the ocean), and ocean acidification (which has harmed many aquatic species). Additionally, the excessive littering causes animals to consume waste that their bodies cannot digest, causing the deaths of these creatures.
Not only is our trash harming their environment, but it is also doing great harm to our own health. Large amounts of trash can lead to an increase in cases of asthma, cancer, infectious diseases, and cardiovascular diseases due to the bacteria, vermin, and insects that interact with our waste. Furthermore, the long-term effects of environmental damage will eventually lead to the fall of life on Earth.
Ways We Can Make A Difference
Fortunately, there are many easy eco-friendly alternatives we can be aware of and use to reduce the damage being done to the environment. Here are just a few things you can do:
Reusable Grocery Bags - Bringing reusable bags with you every time you go shopping will greatly decrease the amount of plastic waste being produced. Not only is this environmentally beneficial, but you will also save the additional money you have to pay to use plastic bags!
Rechargeable Batteries - Because batteries are made up of chemicals, they produce pollution. By using rechargeable batteries, you can also save the hassle of buying new batteries and easily reuse the ones you have anytime!
Reusable Water Bottles - Replace plastic disposable water bottles with a reusable one, which can save you money in the long term and give you a wide variety of choices between designs created to make it more efficient and portable!
Low-Flow Showerheads - Your water consumption can be greatly reduced by using a low-flow showerhead and taking shorter showers. This can save you on your water bill and reduce the unnecessary waste of water!
Reusable Meal Containers - Instead of using plastic plates, trays, or utensils, you can easily replace those with Tupperware, a thermos, and washable silverware. There are many easy environmental-friendly options to pack your lunches, including bio-degradable paper bags and reusable sandwich raps!
There are, of course, many other easy eco-friendly switches that take minimal effort! You can take a look at the full list in this link: https://www.businessinsider.com/eco-friendly-alternatives-for-everyday-products#35-reusable-non-plastic-meal-prep-containers-34 . Let's take care of the environment to make sure life can remain on Earth for a long time!
References:
Downs, Austin and Richard Acevedo. “How Our Trash Impacts the Environment.” EarthDay, 16 Dec. 2019, www.earthday.org/how-our-trash-impacts-the-environment/.
Leighton, Mara. “36 Eco-Friendly Alternatives for Things You Use Every Day.”Business Insider, Business Insider, 22 Apr. 2020, www.businessinsider.com/eco-friendly-alternatives-for-everyday-products#35-reusable-non-plastic-meal-prep-containers-34.
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