Let’s beat plastic pollution together…
World Environment Day serves as a powerful platform for change, as over 100 countries unite in the fight against plastic waste. If we fail to take action, projections indicate that by 2050, our oceans will contain more plastic than fish by weight an ecological catastrophe of immense proportions.
To make a difference, communities worldwide can implement four essential changes to reduce plastic consumption:
Refuse plastic
Say no to plastic whenever possible. Each day, Americans alone discard a staggering 500 million plastic straws enough to fill 127 school buses. By simply rejecting straws, we can contribute to significant change. Take it further by avoiding bottled water or juice and opting for water dispenser systems or freshly-squeezed options, bringing your own reusable bottle.
Plastic bags and coffee cups are other culprits. If supermarkets don’t offer alternatives, consider sourcing reusable cardboard boxes for your shopping trips. Together, we can drive businesses to prioritize sustainability.
Reuse plastic
When plastic is necessary, choose reusable options. Make the most of products with an extended life, such as food packaging and take-out containers. Opt for lifelong carrier bags and containers that can serve you for as long as you need.
Recycle plastic
Currently, the national recycling average in America stands at just 32 percent. By making small changes, we can contribute to the environment and free up crucial funds for reinvestment in community projects and public services. Remember, recycling a single plastic bottle can save enough energy to power a computer for 25 minutes. Avoid wrapping items in plastic bags when recycling and ensure recyclables are separated from non-recyclables.
Improve our environment by raising awareness
Join famous faces in raising awareness about plastic pollution. Reach out to your network, invite friends to plastic-free dinner parties, attend public events, and spread the message of the Four R’s – Refuse, Reuse, Recycle, and Raise Awareness.
Encouraging plastic-free lifestyles requires comprehensive action. Banning straws alone will not save our oceans. With plastics already constituting 60-80% of marine waste, we must embrace systemic change to prevent the collapse of marine ecosystems. Plastic can persist for hundreds of thousands of years, seriously threatening the continued existence of many marine species.
To make a lasting impact on our environment, we must:
– Re-educate on recycling to support recycling companies and enhance waste management efforts.
– Phase out the use of plastic by refusing and actively avoiding it, while exploring eco-friendly alternatives like edible cutlery, liquid wood, paper plates, and metal drinking straws.
– Embrace innovative solutions like mycelium, derived from mushrooms and fungi, to create eco-packaging options and sustainable products.
Together, we can all contribute to #beatplasticpollution by adopting these simple actions.
With over 100 nations participating, World Environment Day has become a pivotal environmental event, emphasizing the need for awareness and inspiring changes in the practices of retailers and producers.
Softer on the environment
A water softener reduces limescale in your home and pipework, which in turn makes your heating system and appliances more efficient, reducing your carbon footprint and giving you savings on bills.
Not only that, but the exterior of the Smart HarveyArc uses 38% less plastic than our previous models, and 62% of the plastic we do use is from recycled sources, using plastic waste which would ordinarily go to landfill and putting it to good use.
We’ve now also partnered with a Surrey-based company to recycle old Harvey softeners on behalf of customers who are upgrading, to further cement our commitment to being kinder to the planet.
