earth

Apr

2021

Simple Ways To Help Save the Planet

Reading Time: 3 minutes

There are simple actions that we do each day that are harming the environment. Remember that we only have one planet, if we are not going to take care of it, who else will? The good news is that all of us have the power to if not reverse at least stop further damage to the earth. We only have to do it together. Every action counts. Here are simple ways to help save the planet:

1.Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

The best way to save the environment is to reduce the waste being produced. We can do this by reusing items instead of throwing them after a single use. Household items that we can reuse include boxes, containers, glass jars, papers, plastic bags, plastic spoons and forks and many other household items. To recycle means using items for a different purpose instead of discarding them right away. Items that be recycled include clothes, plastic containers, newspapers, steel cans and food wastes.

2.Buy Organic Products

Organic farming benefits the environment. It helps reduce pollution and soil erosion. It also conserves water and increases soil fertility. In addition, organic farming uses 45% less energy compared to regular farms. Thus, by purchasing organic products especially in your local community; you are actually doing your share in helping the planet.

3. Conserve Water and Energy

Conserving water can keep the water pure and clean. It also minimizes the effect of water shortages. It also helps reduce your household expenses. There are many ways to conserve water at home. You can do simple things like:

Turning off the water when not in use
Checking toilets and faucets for leaks
Using dishwashers and washing machines only in full load
Watering the plants during cool parts of the day

Likewise, energy conservation is also important for the environment. Reducing energy consumption can help lessen air pollution. There are many ways to reduce energy consumption at home. You can do things like:

Turning off lights when not in use
Washing clothes in cold water
Unplugging unused electronics
Using LED lights

4. Go Paperless

Going digital has a lot of advantages. Not only does it improve efficiency, it also saves money. In addition, it also gives you access anytime wherever you may be. An added bonus, it is good for the environment too.

5. Patronize Eco-Friendly Companies

Many companies out there already started with their environmental initiatives. As consumers, you can help the environment by supporting environmentally-friendly and sustainable products. At the same time, boycott brands that are not helping the environment at all.

6. Plant a Tree

Trees give us oxygen. They also purify the air by storing the harmful carbon dioxide. They prevent soil erosion and maintain humidity levels. Trees also provide shelter for wildlife. The human race will not be able to survive without plants and trees. However, it is a fact that there is massive deforestation happening right now. So, we must help by planting a tree. You can plant a tree in your backyard. You can also join tree planting activities. If planting is not your thing, you can just donate and have others plant the tree for you.

7. Segregate Wastes

Poor waste management results in land, air and even water pollution. Combined with hazardous materials, the trash that we throw is not only harmful to the environment but detrimental to our health as well.

8. Use Your Voice

You don’t need to be active in any environmental organization to be an environmentalist. You can actually use your voice to talk and influence your family, friends. neighbors and colleagues. Speak up and make your voice heard by the people around you.

Image by Gerd Altmann from Pixabay

Feb

2021

Ways to Conserve Water at Home

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Water is essential in life. All living things need drinking water to survive. Aside from that, we also use water in many things such as cooking, taking a bath, washing our clothes and keeping our surroundings clean. It is hard to even imagine a day without water. Unfortunately, in some areas of the world, water shortage has become a serious issue. With more and more places around the world struggling for clean water, water conservation is now more important than ever. That is why we all need to do our part in water conservation. Here are some ways to conserve water at home.

1. Close the Tap When Not in Use

It sounds so simple and logical yet many people leave the tap running especially while brushing their teeth, washing their hands, washing dishes and taking a shower. By simply turning off the tap while not in use, you are already helping in the conservation of water.

2. Fix Leaks

Did you know that a single drop of water per second adds up to 5 gallons a day? That is approximately 3,000 gallons or 11,356 liters in a year. Imagine all that water and money wasted because of a faucet leaking! Stop the leaks! Check and fix all your broken faucets.

3. Plant Native Plants

Native plants are plants indigenous to a certain area. These plants adapt well to the specific climate and physical conditions of a particular place. Taking care of native plants requires less water.

If you live in a tropical place, use tropical plants for your garden such as ferns, bromeliads and orchids. If you live in the desert, use desert plants like cactus. For cold climates, use plants that can survive winter.

4. Re-use Towels or Clothes

A small act of reusing towels in your home can help conserve water. Practice this also even outside your home such as in hotels. Apply the same habit to your clothing especially if you have worn it only once and it is still clean. Jeans for example can be re-used a couple of times before washing. However, do this with caution. We also need to adjust to the new normal rules. Our safety should always be a priority.

5. Run your Washing Machine / Dishwasher Only on Full Load

If you have a washing machine or dishwasher at home, make sure that you run them only on full load. Even if you choose the small load settings, you are still using the same amount of water to run a full cycle. So, save water by running them only on full load. This is also one way to save on electricity in your home.

6. Take Shorter Showers

A good way to save water is to take shorter showers. It is also a good way to conserve energy. It adds a few more minutes to your sleep time and it also a way to prevent your skin from becoming dry.

7. Water Plants in the Morning

The best time to water the plants is in the morning. The cool weather will help the water reach the roots more efficiently without losing too much water due to evaporation. You may also opt to water the plants using the traditional watering pail instead of a hose.

8. Avoid Thawing Meat Using Water

Remember to plant your meals ahead. Remove the meat that you are going to cook from the freezer and defrost it in the refrigerator the night before. The meat remains safe and of good quality when you are ready to cook it the next day.

9. Convert your Toilet to a Dual Flush

A dual flush toilet uses two buttons to operate the flush, one for the solid waste and the other one for the urine. It helps save water because the flush for the urine uses less water compared to the other one. The Dual Flush toilet uses 45% less water compared to an ordinary toilet.

Also, flush toilets only when necessary. A toilet bowl cleaner tablet will help keep your toilet clean and helps prevent tough stains.

10. Recycle and Reuse Whenever Possible

Any item in your home from your clothes, paper, computers, furniture and appliances consumes water during the manufacturing process. If you can reuse and recycle items as much as you can then you are helping the global community save tons of water.

To be able to make a difference, it needs more than your solo effort. Ask your family, friends and co-workers to join you. Spread the word. Share this article. And together, let’s do our part in conserving water.

Image by Mystic Art Design from Pixabay

Oct

2020

Proper Disposal of e-Wastes

Reading Time: 3 minutes

Do you have any broken or obsolete batteries, charges, and other electronic devices in your home? If you do, did you know that by keeping them in your house you are putting your health at risk? As the world moves towards digitalization, eWastes had become a growing problem. Everyone on the planet should do their share. Knowing the importance of proper disposal of e-Wastes would help mankind.

In a study done in Australia, 1 out of 5 respondents admitted to being hoarders of outdated electronic devices. About 2/3 of them stated that the main reason why they don’t recycle is that they are scared that their personal data might get compromised. Although the study was done in Australia, for sure many people also have a pile of e-waste at home. If left undisposed, this might eventually grow over time. Whatever your reasons are for keeping them, it is best to discard them as soon you are no longer using them.

What is an Electronic Waste?

So, what are electronic wastes? Electronic waste or e-waste for short are that have no longer value. They are either broken or outdated. Examples include old cellphones and charges. So are lamps, microwaves and all other appliances. In short, anything that has batteries and cords fall under this category. Yes, even your AAA and AA batteries are e-wastes.

Why is it Harmful?

E-wastes contain toxic substances such as lead and mercury. If inhaled or exposed to; these substances can cause severe illnesses, organ damage or even death. Thus, their proper disposal is very important.

Effect on the Environment

Improper disposal of poses a great threat not only to our health but to the environment as well. According to statistics, only about 20% of global e-wastes are recycled. The rests are either destroyed through burning or dumped into landfills.

Air Pollution

When e-waste is warmed up much more if burned, toxic chemicals are released in the air. Not only will it damage the atmosphere, it could also lead to severe respiratory problems if inhaled.

Land Pollution

The toxins found on e-wastes are non-biodegradable. They will remain in the land for a very long period of time and will contaminate our food crops.

Water Pollution

If the heavy metals found on e-wastes found their way to groundwater channels, they will run to the surface of streams, rivers or ponds. This in turn will result to the death of living things, both animals and plants living on these bodies of water. It will also lead to contaminated water which in turn will cause poisoning to both humans and animals.

Proper Disposal of E-wastes

Before anything else, there is one thing that you should remember, that is to NEVER, EVER THROW YOUR E-WASTE IN THE TRASH!!!

Do any of the following instead:

1. Prolong Use Life

The best thing to do is to prolong the use life of your electronic devices. If it is broken, have it fixed first before buying a new one.

If your phone, computer, television or any electronic gadget is still functioning properly; ask yourself if you really need an upgrade? If you do, ask yourself why do you need an upgrade? If your purpose is just so you can keep up with the trend or you want to impress others, forget it! You might as well put your money on investments.

2. Sell

Why keep unwanted trash when you can make money out of it? However, don’t expect to recover the original cost of your device. After all, electronics are depreciating assets. Selling is just one way of disposing your devices and earn money at the same time.

One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.
– English Proverb

Just a reminder, before you sell your cellphones and computers, make sure that you have backed up all your data and deleted them from your old device. It is best to reformat first before selling and restore to factory settings.

3. Donate

If the device is still working and you don’t want to be bothered by the hassle of selling your old electronic devices, why not donate them instead? By donating, you are doing three things at the same time. One, you are getting rid of your trash. Two, you are helping the environment because donating is a form of recycling. And lastly, you are helping other people in need.

4. Recycle

Aside from selling and donating, you can also recycle your e-waste by giving them to an e-waste recycler that is certified by the Basel Action Network (BAN), a non-profit organization dedicated in the pursuit of responsible recycle of e-waste. Find a certified recycler near you.

You can also contact your local government, civic institutions or the manufacturer of your e-waste for their recycling programs. Sometimes, you can find drop off points in malls, schools and offices for your e-wastes.

If you are in the Philippines, you can also contact eWaste Management (Philippines) to schedule a pick-up for your e-waste. You can also contact the E-Waste Project of the University of the Philippines.

Updated version. First Published in Pinoy Smart Living on 02.18.2019.

Feature Image by Skitterphoto from Pexels.