Is it possible to run a business that is financially successful, yet also operating with less environmental impacts, and contributing to the welfare of its workers and the community? Find out how US Sherpa, one of our sellers, strives to uphold the principles of cultural preservation, business ethics and environmental protection into their business operations.
US Sherpa is a family-owned business that makes handmade knitwear and other artisan products. Products are handcrafted in Nepal, while their company headquarters in Vermont markets the produsts in the US. Ongyel Sherpa, who takes his roots from an ethnic group indigenous to the Himalayan region, founded this company.
The story of how US Sherpa began is not a straightforward one. It began with the meeting of Dr. Geoff Tabin, an American doctor, and Ongyel’s uncle who served as a Sherpa guide when the doctor summitted Mt. Everest. Ten years after, Dr. Tabin would return to Nepal on a mission as an ophthalmologist to restore the eyesight of the Himalayan people who have cataract-induced blindness.
As fate would have it, Dr. Tabin and Ongyel meet that time, paving the way to Ongyel’s migration in the US with the help of Dr. Tabin. After years of support from the good doctor, Ongyel completed his education in the US and eventually launched the US Sherpa.
Fast forward to today, US Sherpa provides sustainable jobs to more than 300 Nepalese. Having been a recipient of the generosity of others, running the US Sherpa is Ongyel’s way of paying it forward. US Sherpa also extends its support to the Himalayan Cataract Project, an undertaking founded by Dr. Tabin, by providing lodging and logistics services for visiting doctors and support staff.
SOS Future’s mission to reduce the environmental impacts humans make from their daily activities resonates well with US Sherpa’s business approach. Here’s a rundown of why we are proud of having US Sherpa as one of our sellers.
US Sherpa provides sustainable jobs for economically challenged artisans, despite many of them have received little education. The artisans receive mutually-agreed and fair wages. Likewise, equitable profit shares through the supply chain provides the basis for setting a fair price.
The company also makes sure that they visit their producers regularly and provide training not only to their artisans but to their families, as well. Building skills for their artisans and their families help create opportunities beyond the shop level. In this way, workers and the Nepalese community move out from poverty to economic self-sufficiency.
Apart from striving for high quality products, producers of US Sherpa focus on sourcing their raw materials sustainably. Among their efforts is using as much natural fibers such as natural sheep wool and cotton. However, they sometimes incorporate small amounts of synthetic fibers for added functionalities.
They produce traditional lokta paper journals, which is handmade from Daphne, an indigenous Himalayan shrub. Unlike other sources of paper, Daphne doesn’t have to be cut as it regenerates within 5 to 7 years. US Sherpa also markets products made from 100% recycled fabrics, keeping silk and cotton scraps away from the landfill by turning these into bags, headbands and pouches. You can check out their products here.
Furthermore, their artisans use natural dyes and drying process for their fabrics. They use recycled brass and recycled/reused packaging materials such as paper hang tags, cotton or hemp strings to tie hang tags and used cartons when shipping out orders.
In this time of a globalized society when the meeting of people and cultures threaten cultural preservation, producers of US Sherpa have managed to preserve the traditional Nepalese craft. Despite the age of automation and mass production in textile, artisans still exercise their handmade artistry in weaving and knitting.
No business is perfect. Balancing economic, social and environmental sustainability within the company makes running the business even more challenging. For instance, difficulty in sourcing biodegradable alternatives for such materials as J-hooks for hats, tag gun plastic bars and plastic bags can restrain the company’s efforts towards using as much biodegradable materials as possible for their products.
Despite the challenges, US Sherpa will continue to stride towards further reducing their environmental impacts. Beyond customer satisfaction, their thrust is to instill environmental and social accountability through direct engagement with the artisans and stakeholders throughout their supply chain.
Like US Sherpa and our other sellers, is your business offering eco-friendly products aimed at reducing the negative impacts we place in the environment? If yes, we invite you to join our family of sellers with a purpose. Learn the benefits of becoming an SOSFuture seller and how you can join us here.
]]>
The most beautiful time of the year is almost here and you can already feel the holiday spirit! Beautiful lights and lovely decorations everywhere. However, being eco-friendly at this time of the year is more difficult.
Although having a zero waste Christmas is a challenge, it can be a rewarding experience and a new tradition you can start this year! In this article, you will find useful information and some great ideas to have a zero waste Christmas!
First of all, let’s talk about the focal point of every house’s decoration: the Christmas tree! You already know the conventional options: buying a real tree every year or reusing a fake one. But having a Christmas tree shouldn’t be limited to these two options.
There are more eco-friendly and original alternatives! This year, you can start a Christmas tree project and create something unique. Check some inspiration ideas:
Decorating for Christmas is a wonderful activity to spend some quality time with friends and family! There are some tips to make it a zero waste activity too:
This year, instead of buying the first thing you see, consider giving meaningful and eco-friendly gifts to your loved ones! You can make this possible with some zero waste options:
If you decide to gift something consciously made, you need to find a zero waste option to wrap it too. Unfortunately, glitter wrapping paper is not an eco-friendly option because it isn’t recyclable. Check some zero waste alternatives:
One of the best things about Christmas is the food! But without planning, it can be one of the main sources of waste. Try to keep it zero waste with these eco-friendly tips:
Now that you know these simple actions, you’re ready to be more eco-friendly and zero waste this year!
Sources:
Thank you, thank you, thank you, we could not do it without you!
READ ALSO:
If you're interested in recycling, find out more about Where you can start recycling process, what to recycle in Florida, and discover the positive effect your recycling efforts are making. Recycling is a resource recovery practice that refers to the collection and reprocessing of a solid waste "resource" so it can be reused. The materials from which the items are made can be reprocessed into new products.
Each of us can contribute by continuing to recycle as much as possible at or away from home. The challenge is for the recycling efforts of businesses, counties, and governmental agencies to match or exceed those that are leading the way. Following the recycling habits in Florida has several advantages;
Recycling protects the environment and conserves natural resources
When we recycle, used materials and solid wastes are converted into new products, reducing the need to consume new natural resources. If used materials are not recycled, new products are made by consuming fresh, raw material from the Earth, through forestry and mining. Recycling reduces the need for extracting, processing, and refining raw materials all of which create major air and water pollution. So, recycling reduces greenhouse gas emissions, which helps to tackle climate change. Therefore, Recycling helps protect natural habitats for the future and conserves important raw materials[1].
Recycling saves energy
Using recycled materials in the industrial process uses considerably less energy than that needed for producing new products from raw materials. Besides, there are extra energy savings because more energy is needed to extract, transport, refine, and process raw materials ready for industry compared with providing manufacture-ready materials[1].
Recycling reduces solid wastes and landfill sites
When we recycle, recyclable materials are converted into new products, and as a result, the amount of rubbish sent to landfill sites reduces[1].
What to recycle in Florida?
In 2010 the state Legislature set a recycling goal of 75 percent by 2020 for Florida counties. The Waste Reduction section is responsible for monitoring and promoting statewide recycling and waste reduction programs as well as the recycling and proper management of household hazardous waste, medications, mercury lamps (fluorescent) and batteries, devices (thermostats), and scrap electronics[2].
Mercury is used in many everyday products that have an environmental benefit such as fluorescent lamps that use less energy than traditional incandescent lamps. Unless they are recycled, however, the mercury from the disposal of these discarded products can contaminate the surface water, groundwater, and the air[2].
Under Florida law, Rechargeable batteries must be recycled. Toxic heavy metals like cadmium and lead can adversely affect public health and the environment[2].
Unwanted electronics equipment should be recycled to recover and reuse the product itself or materials like steel, copper, or glass that the product includes. Other materials such as lead (in the glass cathode ray tube (CRT) found in many computer and televisions monitors) and mercury (in the fluorescent flat panel displays) should be recycled to reuse the materials and to reduce the chance that these toxic materials could be released to the environment[3].
How you can help increase recycling rates in Florida
Several daily practices enable you and your family to maximize what goes into your recycling bin. You should be a bin smart. Please remember your recyclable material should be dry, clean, empty, and loose. Please do not put your recyclable solid wastes in plastic carrier bags. Furthermore, there are important recycling tips including, Take all lids off plastic bottles and put in the general waste bin, Wash any food or drink from items you put into your bin, and Try separating your recycling and solid waste rubbish in the bathroom to make it easier when you take items out to the recycling bins[3].
There are so many items in your day to be waste that can be recycled and convert into something new. Just by putting cereal boxes, cans, paper, and plastic bottles into your recycling bin, we can make sure that less solid waste goes to landfills, and more materials are converted into something new. therefore, you should follow the following recycle habits before putting solid wastes that can be recycled into your recycling pin;
Do not recycle these items ... Some items should be firstly separated from other household wastes before throwing in the recycle bin such as:
Where can I recycle in Florida?
All Florida counties provide the opportunity for their residents to recycle. The recycling program is designed to recover a significant portion of the following materials from the solid waste stream before final disposal: newspaper, aluminum cans, steel cans, glass, plastic bottles, cardboard, office paper, and yard trash.
Earth 911 has a tool that provides the nearest locations for specific items you are looking to recycle. You can also visit the Recycling Business Assistance Center website.[4]
References
Thank you, thank you, thank you, we could not do it without you!
As with any problem, the solution involves facing up to it, and understanding the issue in more depth.
Humankind has become reliant on plastic in a huge range of fields. Plastic can be a very useful material, and has many applications. Unfortunately, the properties of synthetic plastics mean that they are damaging our planet – in their creation, during their use, and when they are thrown away.
Synthetic plastics are made from finite and polluting fossil fuels. And making them involves the burning of yet more fossil fuels. The plastic industry is one of the industries with the highest carbon footprint. Each plastic item made contributes to global warming. Unfortunately, much of the plastic we use on a daily basis is single-use. It is used and thrown away. Not only is this causing our planet to warm more quickly, it is also a huge waste of energy, water and other resources.
Plastics don't biodegrade like natural materials. Instead, synthetic plastics endure for hundreds of years. So plastic is a problem that sticks around. Plastic litter forms huge ocean gyres of trash, killing wildlife and spreading pathogens and invasive species around the globe. Unfortunately, plastics that escape into natural environments or which are in daily use to often begin to break down – not into inert materials, but into smaller and smaller micro-plastic particles.
Micro-plastic particles are now found in every single ecosystem on earth – from the remote Arctic and Antarctic, to the highest peaks and the deepest ocean trenches. Micro-plastics are also found, now, within the human body. And no one yet knows exactly how much damage that can do.
You might already have tried to cut down on your single use plastic use. You might carry reusable bags, bottles and containers, for example, and avoid the use of plastic disposable plates or straws. But some of the most harmful types of plastic pollution are 'hidden'. For example, huge amounts of plastic waste are rubbed from car tires when we drive on roads. And synthetic clothing, carpets etc. shed micro-plastic particles not just when washed, but also when in daily use.
Being aware of the true scale of the problem of plastic is the first step towards tackling it. But there is a lot more each of us can do.
Tackling plastic pollution will take a concerted effort from politicians and those in power, big business and individual consumers. As individuals we can:
Recycling what plastic we can is, of course, essential. But recycling alone is not enough. It is important to understand that only a small proportion of plastic can actually be recycled. And even plastic that can be is not always recycled – due to contamination or even commercial issues. And even when plastic is recycled, it cannot usually be endlessly remade into new items. Usually, plastics can only be recycled one or twice before they are downgraded into things that then cannot themselves be recycled.
But by viewing recycling as just part of the picture, and also taking the other important steps mentioned above, we can begin to tackle the problem. Each small step we take as individuals to refuse, reduce, reuse, repair and recycle really can make a big difference. As consumers, where we choose to put our money (and where we choose not to spend it) makes a big difference – a lot of power is in our hands.
Time and time again, there have been different organizations preaching and enlightening the public on the importance of recycling. Recycling products aren’t only necessary to save more money, they are needed for the protection of life. A lot of people are quite oblivious to how much damage different types of pollutants can have on the ecosystem.
This article would delve deep into this subject, detailing just how toxic different types of pollutants are;
Plastic cups are one of the major items polluting the world right now. Although these cups look harmless when compared to oil, they are in fact dangerous. According to research, chlorinated plastic cups release toxic chemicals into the soil and the environment. These chemicals are then transferred in any form of water body or water resources around. As a matter of fact, a study of the Rozalia Project confirms that a plastic item is released into water every three seconds.
Food containers and plastic bags are sweeping the ocean and increasing in the amount every day. Food containers are made with polystyrene foam and takes years to degrade properly. These containers clog up the drainage and other water systems. This means, it will keep harming the environment for years.
Did you know that Americans use a little over 500 million straws daily? Ever imagined what happens to these straws when they are not disposed properly? Straws are made of plastic, which never really breaks down. All that happens to them is that they separate into tiny bits after a period of time. Marine animals are in danger when straws are left multiplying by the second.
Paper towels have become one of the most used items over the years. More than 13 billion pounds of paper are consumed annually, which is the equivalent of 80 rolls per person. The environmental hazards of paper towels are very much noticed in its manufacture than its disposal. This is a breakdown;
To manufacture the aforementioned annual amount would cause the chopping of over 110 million trees.
A lot of energy is exerted during its production, causing carbon dioxide to fill the atmosphere.
Once it is used, it is disposed in landfills, which over time emits methane gas. Methane gas, like carbon dioxide, has been linked to climate change in many studies.
There are so many other pollutants, but these are the most neglected and unattended. What might seem harmless, might be exactly what the world needs to get rid of right now.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, we could not do it without you!
HOW RECYCLING HELPS THE ENVIRONMENT
POLLUTION AND WAYS TO PREVENT POLLUTION
]]>
The country of Brazil is one made of beautiful, endlessly long beaches, incredible landscapes, and rich culture. Nevertheless, it is also one that is known for questionable practices, modern slavery, and exploitation, especially of the indigenous people. In fact, in 2018, a report was published that outlined the exploitation that took place in numerous areas of Brazil which was linked to the Norwegian production of salmon. More specifically, the report outlined how Brazilian suppliers were buying raw materials from farms that were closely linked to numerous land conflicts, the use of pesticides that were prohibited, deforestation (namely illegal), and the misuse of land that was reserved for the indigenous population. Not only are the indigenous populations of Brazil already marginalized and continuously pushed to their limits both in terms of having to change their living environment according to businesses’ needs for land through deforestation, but they are also politically marginalized as their voices are often silenced by politicians who prefer focusing on the capitalist aspect of deforestation: where there’s money, human rights are often disregarded. This article will be taking a look at the involvement of Brazil and Norway in this scandal, at how land conflict, pesticides, illegal deforestation, and the misuse of indigenous lands are issues we should all be caring about. Additionally, this post will discuss why your choice of food as a consumer and customer directly impacts this, and thus your own personal responsibility in this.
The misuse of indigenous land has always been a prominent issue in Brazil. Indigenous populations have been living in the country’s forests for hundreds, if not thousands, of years and therefore have rights over certain areas of the land. For example, the report states that “Brazil’s Indian Statute of 1973 expressly prohibits the leasing of indigenous areas: they are reserved for the exclusive use of their traditional residents” (p.28). However, these rights are often infringed under the name of capitalism, and rarely is accountability held. The logic is simple: if the land is needed to raise cattle, or, in this case, to grow soy to feed to animals and fish, the residents of that land need to go. For the indigenous, this contributes to further exclusion and marginalization as they are forced out of their habitats; as they live off the land, taking this land away from them is taking away their livelihood. This is applicable to both peasants and indigenous people. Additionally, the need for soil is problematic as it takes land away from farmers who need it to produce other crops and to raise cattle. Soy is produced in order to be exported to Norway, thus the issue is not solely to be blamed on Brazil.
Additionally, it was found that the soy industry is heavily linked to the usage of slave labor and of precarious work– work that is contract-free, that offers no benefits, and that has very little security. This is because no worker, no matter how little they are paid, will ever be cheaper than a slave. Indeed, slavery still exists and is common in Brazil. It is simply categorized as ‘informal’ work.
Brazil uses the largest portion of pesticides in the world: over 20% of the marketed pesticide is utilized by this country. Whereas areas like the European Union have banned numerous pesticides due to their cancerous properties, Brazil’s laws have not. Thus, the consumption of such pesticides has led to numerous farmers as well as other community members to experience severe symptoms including “nausea, diarrhea, respiratory problems, or changes in blood and urine found by laboratory tests” (p.14).
Moreover, deforestation attributed to the need for a larger farming area to grow soy has accounted for 47,400 hectares of the Amazon. As mentioned above, deforestation and land conflict are closely related as one directly impacts the other; deforestation is taking away land from those who have the right to utilize it, and it is doing so illegally. Deforestation is not only problematic due to the land it is taking away from communities. The way forests and fields are prepared for farming often involves lighting humongous areas of land on fire to burn down the trees that are in the way. By doing so, greenhouse gases are emitted and thus deforestation is an incredible threat to global warming– especially because trees being burned down are also the trees needed to transform the CO2 emitted.
One of the main reasons why the intense production of soy comes from the need from Norway. The latter produces and exports over 60% of the world’s salmon needs. Additionally, as one of its biggest exported products, Norway wants to increase its production fivefold by 2050, therefore increasing the demand for soy as well. Soy is the main ingredient needed to feed the salmon, thus the more salmon is to be produced, the more food it requires. Nevertheless, due to EU laws about GMO (genetically modified organisms), the soy industry has to follow a strict set of guidelines regarding this when producing soy.
As consumers, we all have a choice and a role to play in the impact that our actions and the products we buy have on the world. If you want to make sure not to support this industry, make sure to take a good look at the packaging or to ask the seller to tell you the origin of the salmon and what it was fed. If you care about the environment, deforestation and reducing climate change, you may also want to consider completely stopping buying salmon. Supporting industries that require soy or corn to feed cattle and fish, for example, will always require some kind of deforestation.
Who would have thought that the salmon you buy may have been in part produced through slavery and may have heavily contributed to climate change and increasing levels of deforestation in Norway? Indeed, this happens and it is only one example of many. As a consumer, you can choose to make the right choice and to buy your products from places you know don’t support such practices. On that note, we definitely encourage you to get more educated on the matter and to read the report yourself too!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, we could not do it without you!
Living a sustainable lifestyle can be simple and easy. Minimizing waste and consumption is not only good for the environment, it can also improve your sense of overall health and well-being. Here are a few tips and ideas to get you started.
Recycling is an easy way to reduce harmful chemicals and greenhouse gas emissions that are released by the waste in landfill sites. Recycling materials is also a step towards 'closing the loop'. It reduces the need for raw materials, which means rainforests, wildlife, and natural environments can be preserved and not destroyed for their virgin materials. Recycling and repurposing are easy actions that all of us can take to contribute to a circular and green economy.
Turning organic waste into compost, such as kitchen scraps and green waste from the garden means that less waste goes to landfill. Also, organic waste is full of nutrients for new trees, fungi, fruits, and vegetables. Better still, composting at home is easy. Simply make or buy a compost bin and put all of your food scraps inside. If you do not live in an area that collects green waste separately, go ahead and add them to your garden, or give them to a friend or community garden. If you are looking for a step by step guide and tips, we've got you covered at our How to Compost at Home guide.
Paints, furniture, and carpets as well as the fumes from cooking and heating cause air pollution indoors, which can be between two and five times greater than outside. Closed windows can raise carbon dioxide levels which can also cause headaches and drowsiness. Keeping the windows open and the house well ventilated will help to reduce air pollution. Another great way to eliminate indoor toxins it to grow some indoor plants. There are many plants that remove chemicals such as benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde from the air. Finally, when moving or renovating, choose paints, carpets, and furniture that are made from natural materials and are chemical-free.
Natural ingredients like vinegar, baking soda, essential oils, and lemon juice are making a come back for multi-purpose cleaning that is good for the environment. It is quite easy to make cleaning products at home. Why not try laundry powder or toilet bombs. Many products, such as used coffee grounds are also great for polishing cutlery or can be used as a natural deodorizer. A small number of used coffee grounds or baking soda can eliminate odors from the fridge. It is also nice to keep your home smelling fresh with this DIY reusable diffuser.
Transport is one of the leading contributors to greenhouse gas emissions. However, the good news is - that a shift in the mode of transport can be an easy way to reduce personal emissions and environmental footprint. Also, in the face of COVID-19, many governments are encouraging their citizens to consider walking or riding their bike as a healthy and environmentally friendly way to move around. Bicycle travel and walking are also great options for a green lifestyle.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, we could not do it without you!
While the impacts of outdoor air pollution on human health are well known, many people think that retreating indoors is a safe alternative. However, according to the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), this may not be the case. Air pollution indoors may be between two and five times greater than outdoors. This is because closed windows and poor ventilation in the home can raise the carbon dioxide levels which can cause drowsiness and headaches. There are also the volatile organic compounds from paints, furniture, and carpets as well as the fumes from cooking and heating that can cause air pollution and poor air quality inside the home.
However, all is not lost. In the 1980s, scientists at NASA discovered that plants remove chemicals such as benzene, trichloroethylene, and formaldehyde from the air, making the air cleaner, fresher and healthier for humans to breathe. A medium-sized plant (anything above about 20cm) in a room is all that is required to make significant reductions to the purification of toxic chemicals in the air.
Here are three indoor plants that are perfect to create a non-toxic home.
1. Areca palms (Chrysalidocarpus lutescens)
Once an endangered species, Areca palms are a sun-loving plant that are particularly suited for larger spaces. They are also a super-performer when it comes to eliminating toxins, as they are known to purify the air of benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene. The other great thing about Areca palms is that they are non-toxic to both dogs and cats which makes them perfect for animal lovers. Areca palms do require a little bit of special care. For example, they need a bright space, but no direct sunlight. They also need plenty of water, but will not survive if their roots become water-logged. With a little bit of special care and attention, the Areca palm is a great option for clean air inside the home.
2. Peace Lily (Spathiphyllum)
Also known as Mauna Loa or white sails, peace lilies are an easy and undemanding plant to look after. Their attractive leaves and white flowers make the perfect addition to any room especially areas without direct sunlight. It is easy to keep them happy with water once a week and a slow-release fertilizer in spring to promote growth and the beautiful white flowers. If you have pets, keep the peace lilies in an out of reach place as they are a mild irritant to pets. The other great thing about peace lilies is that they remove a wide range of toxins, including benzene, carbon monoxide, formaldehyde, trichloroethylene, and xylene.
3. Chrysanthemums (Chrysanthemum morifolium)
Chrysanthemums are best known for their beautiful and colorful flowers. However, they are also one of the best known air purifiers around. They do require specific care to thrive, such as good air flow, bright (indirect) sunlight and watering with warm water, with special attention to avoiding water-log. Also remember to keep them out of reach of pets as they are a mild irritant to cats and dogs. However, the effort is well worth it, because they remove ammonia, benzene, formaldehyde, and xylene while also being an attractive feature for your home.
Whichever plant you choose to create a healthy and toxic free-home, enjoy the experience of creating an indoor space that promotes health and well-being for you and your family.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, we could not do it without you!
Unless you’ve been living under a rock, you’ve probably heard of composting and how great it is for the environment and your garden. If you have a green thumb and you like to give your plants their best, then you should start composting right now. It’s nature’s way of recycling and for the sake of enriching your garden soil and making it fertile, everyone has gotten in on the compost movement. If you have not started composting yet, that’s okay! It’s not too late to get started and one of the best ways to do it is from the comfort of your home as it’s quite easy to do.
We’re excited you want to do something extra for your plants as compost can be added to make your soil fertile which could help you grow some nice veggies in your garden. Composting is known to be one of the ways that organic waste is biodegraded. If it sounds like an adventure you would like to get in on, keep reading to learn exactly how to compost at home.
This sounds a lot more sophisticated than it is. Some people like to have a simple rot pile, you can have it located in your backyard or somewhere around the house where you can dump vegetables, leaves and other compost materials or you could choose to get a nice bin for your compost instead. What’s great about this part is that you can purchase a good bin online or use any old kind of container laying around your house that is no longer in use. You can also use a wood one to be completely zero waste! Whatever kind of bin you decide to use, make sure it’s easy to rotate so you can turn your compost around and mix it up. If you’re going with the option of a rotting pile, it shouldn’t be too high, about 3 feet would do so you can easily mix it but it should be compact enough to retain heat.
Let’s face it, compost is actually waste and like some waste, it might come with some unpleasant smells as composting is biodegraded organic waste and no one wants to have it smacked in their face each time they walk past your yard. While you decide to do your recycling with nature, choose a place where you can keep your compost safely, out of the reach of foraging animals and with enough exposure to air so the breeze helps keep your compost cool and aerated. It’s also great to have your location close to shade and enough access to water.
This is the fun part! After setting up your compost site and getting your rot pile or compost bin ready, the next step is to begin the good work of recycling natures way! There are lots of stuff you can add to your compost as long as they are organic and biodegradable. Things like vegetable scraps and peels, coffee grounds, manure from animals like sheep or chickens, yard waste like leaves and sticks and even newspapers or eggshells can go in your compost.
However things like animal products especially meat, bones or butter shouldn’t go in your compost. Also, stuff like synthetic chemicals, ash, seeds or pet waste should have no place in your compost. You should have a nice balance of brown materials and green materials so your compost gets enough carbon and nitrogen and don’t forget to add water sparsely so your compost is moist but don’t over-wet the compost and kill off the bacteria.
It’s not enough to just toss your compost materials in your rot pile or bin and walk away, you have to monitor it, check on it often and make sure it maintains the right temperature of being warm so the composting process stays active. This will also let you know when your pile needs to be mixed or turned. You can use your hands or a thermometer to check your compost temperature and if it was previously warm but turns cold later, you need to give it a nice turn to get the process back in action. It’s also important that your compost stays moist and gets enough oxygen so the bacteria keeps working. You can use a pitchfork to turn your compost and you should also add moisture to your dry materials like sawdust and dry leaves when you add them to your composting pile.
The waiting process can take anything from weeks to months or years before your compost is ready. You can help the process along by covering your rot pile or compost bin with a tarp to retain the moisture content of your compost. This isn’t strictly necessary and you can skip this part if you want to. So if you are wondering how to know when your compost is ready, look at the bottom of the pile of your compost. If it is dark and rich in color then your compost is nice and ready to use.
When your compost is ready, you can now mix it into your garden soil to act as an enricher or fertilizer or lay down some of your compost on top your garden or lawn soil to act as mulch. In no time you’ll notice a difference in how your plants are faring and you’ll be all the more glad you decided to learn how to compost at home.
There are no strict laws to how many compost piles you can have at a time, as long as you have enough space and materials to put in, you can have as many compost piles as you want to keep your gardens and landscape going. With the tips we’ve shared with you above, you’ll be recycling in nature’s way in no time and your garden will thank you for it.
The process is pretty easy and basically every material you need is right at your fingertips. You’ll be able to avoid wasting things like vegetable scraps and other organic biodegradable waste by putting them to good use in creating the compost of your dreams.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, we could not do it without you!
]]>
The oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis) was imported into South Eeast Asia in the mid 19th century, but it is actually native to West Africa. Oil palm trees flourish in a humid tropical climate and produce higher yields when grown close to the equator. The oil palm tree only requires approximately a 3 metre diameter around the base to allow full growth. The small area required for growth mean that the oil palm tree is capable of producing more oil from less land than any other vegetable oil in existence, which makes it a high yield crop from a land-to-yield ratio perspective. There are two forms of oil from the Palm Oil Plant. Palm Oil (PO) is obtained from the flesh of the fruit, while Palm Kernel Oil (PKO) is produced by extracting the oil from the internal seed.
Palm Oil is found in around 50% of products purchased and is used by many people on a daily basis. Palm Oil and derivatives are used in the manufacture of baked goods, prepackaged foods, cleaning products, hair care, cosmetics, soaps and personal care items. Palm Wax is used in the manufacture of candles.
Today, Indonesia and Malaysia account for around 87% of global palm oil production and the demand for palm oil continues to grow as it is a relatively cheap and fast oil to produce.
Indonesia is being deforested faster than any other country in the world, and it is all because of one product: palm oil. The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) has suggested that ‘about 300 football fields of forest are cleared every hour’ across the globe to make way for palm oil plantations.
The destruction of large areas of tropical forests to make room for oil palm plantations involves destroying biodiversity, wildlife and natural ecosystems. Deforestation is not only causing devastation to plants and wildlife, but it is also a major contributor greenhouse gas emissions. This is because the cheapest and fastest way to clear land for plantations is to ‘slash and burn’. Fires in Indonesia produce immense pollution, sending smog to cities hundreds of miles away.
It is estimated that over 50 Orangutan are killed every week due to deforestation. There are three species of orang-utan and they are all listed as Critically Endangered by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. However, the orangutan are often considered a pest by many the oil palm companies because they get in the way and may destroy young palm plants when foraging for food. There have also been reports of elephants and other native wildlife being poisoned by palm oil companies.
The devastating situation for orangutans was highlighted in an advertisement intended for British TV, where a young girl learns of deforestation in Malaysia and Indonesia from a homeless organutan called “Rang-tan”. The Ad was created to showcase the efforts of a British Supermarket Chain to create a ‘no palm oil’ range of products. Interestingly, the Ad was banned in the United Kingdom for being too ‘political’.
There are two main ways consumers can avoid supporting deforestation caused by palm oil.
The first way is to avoid buying products that contain palm oil as an ingredient. As there are over 200 different names for Palm Oil based ingredients and derivatives, this option requires a little bit of education and preparation. The second option is to buy products that use ‘sustainably produced palm oil’. Certified Sustainable Palm Oil (CSPO) has been produced in plantations that are well-managed with good environmental, social and economic standards. CSPO plantations can only become certified if they are sourced from plantations that were established on land cleared before 2005, which helps to avoid continued and unrestrained deforestation.
Either option means you are no longer supporting mass habitat, forest and wildlife destruction. In the meantime, you may wish to support an orangutan and wildlife rescue organization.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, we could not do it without you!
]]>
The environment around us has continued to suffer degradations due to human activities that pollute it. In fact, it is no news that all of these have begun to have a series of negative effects for us, and even the coming generations might feel the impacts. However, as we continue to live, there’s so much we can still do to remedy the situations so that the pending problems can be avoided. For this to happen, we basically must desist from using products and materials that constitute some harm to the environment.
Now, environmental experts and situation analysts have strongly recommended that people switch to the sole production and use of eco-friendly products. This is why organizations like the SOSF have taken up the responsibility of championing actions that would facilitate very reduced pollution of the environment. This is a fundamental reason why the organization has created a marketplace for sellers to sell eco-friendly utilities.
Over the years, SosFuture has carefully developed a number of products that could significantly reduce waste generation and environmental pollution tendencies. The organization encourages members of the public to adopt such products for their everyday use so that the environment protection objectives can be met. Hence, if you support this idea and have produced related products that meet the requirements, then the marketplace on sosfuture might just be the most appropriate place to sell.
Becoming a seller on the platform is easy, as the most essential requirements are just the environmentally friendly products that you would be selling. Note that the marketplace is a third party multi-vendor platform that has recorded impressive visits and turnover rates in the past months. With the existing structure, sellers can list multiple products on their dedicated seller page. You may also check the different categories on the marketplace, and see where each of your products most appropriately fall.
All intending sellers on SOSFuture are required to complete the registration processes, after which they can start selling. Sellers who have stores on e-commerce platforms like Shopify can easily synchronize details of all of the products, on to the SOSF market.
If you've met the requirements for selling on sosfuture then you probably would also like to know what benefits you would be getting. Firstly, signing up as a seller on the platform removes the need for you to necessarily build a sales website for your products. Building a sales website usually cost a lot of money, which is not ideal for startups and small businesses especially. This means becoming a seller on Sosfuture is more cost-effective for your business.
Sometimes too, the SOSF team of experts may give advice and insights on how to properly set up your shop on its marketplace. This means that you can always reach out to support if you experience any difficulties on how to properly position your business on the multi-vendor platform. Depending on the seller's shop and the products they have listed, Sosfuture may also issue advanced reports so that sellers are able to know what products are generally selling the most or are high in demand. This information is important because it could help each seller strategize better and/or adopt new ways of increasing their sales and profit on the platform.
On another hand, one of the main advantages for active and intending sellers is that SOSF is a leading multi-vendor marketplace for eco-friendly and zero-waste packaging products. This has significantly impacted on its popularity, hence making it a shopping hub for people who are interested in these types of products. The responsive designs of the marketplace is also an advantage since it makes it possible for buyers and visitors to access the platform from either of their smartphones or PC.
Basically, since you would be selling on a marketplace dedicated to items that aim to achieve the same overall purposes, it becomes easier for you to get the right type of traffic for all the products you’ve put up. This means that every person who visits the marketplace is a very potential lead and customer for your shop. By this, there are improved chances for all sellers to make more sales in the short and long term.
In order to encourage all the sellers to keep making their own individual efforts towards sustaining the environment, Sosfuture offers relatively low commissions for seller transactions. All of these make it one of the most purposeful and profitable marketplace for producers and sellers of environmentally friendly products.
As an organization, the SOSF’s ultimate mission is to save the environment in the best ways it can. Hence the organization operates a non-profit that caters to these causes. As a seller, you also contribute some quota, since the organization makes use of some of the fees and commissions for executing eco-friendly projects.
Now, asides the fact that SOSF and its sellers are helping to save the current generation and the ones after it, the organization is also working to see new ways of bringing new benefits to all the stakeholders on this front. This is why the SOSF also engages in other activities that enlighten and teach members of the public on waste reduction, recycling, reuse, etcetera. SosFuture provides resource materials and makes classes that teach people how to reduce wastes by making them into useful products. Hence, you can also learn the processes and probably start selling some of the products you’ve learned to make.
On the overall, you'll see that the SosFuture operation framework is ideal and all-encompassing. If saving the environment and making financial profits from it too sounds like a great idea for you, then visit the SOSF marketplace on SOSFtuture to become a seller today!
WATCH THE VIDEO:
]]>
Unfortunately, there are no doubts that this pandemic Coronavirus has caused the deaths of many and created a downturn in the economy of the world at large. Although the havoc is threatening as other viruses of the past, the truth is, there are still some advantages to it. Don't be surprised that the environment, though, going through crisis still has a lot to enjoy from this Coronavirus and the curfew associated with it. There are a quite number of benefits that are of obvious effects on the environment. Below are the five benefits of the Virus on the environment.
One beautiful benefit of the curfew caused by the virus is a friendly atmosphere. Since nobody is expected to move around even to ply the roads with cars, the condition of the atmosphere has been greatly affected positively. All the everyday rushing that goes on in both small and megacities have all been put on hold and cars have been left to rest. This in return means that many will rest from the exhaust that is emitted from cars as well as the environment at large. Because of the curfew, the CO2 has dropped rapidly as recorded by researchers all over the world. They have observed closely the difference in CO2 before the curfew and during the curfew. And they conclude that it benefits the environment. With the drastic fall in these harmful gases, many that adhere to the curfew will be safe from both the virus and the effects of CO2. Not just that, but the other harmful gases that are likely to disrupt the atmospheric condition of the environment will also not thrive. With zero or fewer cars on the road, the environment is currently in a state of incubation that will last for a while. Just as researchers have expounded on this, the condition of the atmosphere is much better now than it has ever been.
The curfew caused by this virus will not just reduce the number of cars but the reduction in the purchase of oil. The process is somewhat like this, no movement for persons so there will be no need for cars to be used and certainly no reason to buy fuel for the car. This flow can be to the disfavour of oil suppliers but the advantage of the environment. The limited use of fuel will, in turn, reduce the emission of gas to the atmosphere which can affect the ozone layer. Over time, there has been continuous degradation of the ozone layer caused by the use of these crude oil products. But with a reduction in the use of oil, an healthy atmosphere is guaranteed for all and also for the already affected ozone layers. Such that the earth is gradually turning towards being in a balanced state again.
It is not ironical to say that the health rate of the world will increase during the curfew. This is because the mortality rate over the years has mostly been caused by poisonous gases that are inhaled. All those gases that are expelled from vehicles have been a major source of health
decline in the environment. All over the world, the recorded cases of health issues are mostly connected to these gases. So, if these gases are out of the way then we are sure that we can boast of good health for all age ranges. The virus that has kept many at home as in a way prevented them from exposing themselves to substances that will even kill them faster. When there is no exhaust from cars, no pollution from industries because of the lockdown then, the death rate will be replaced successfully with good health rate.
Aside from the gas that is always polluting the environment when people are on the road, the people themselves can constitute pollution as well. The number for people on the road will determine the level of waste that is being disposed along the road and this has drastically reduced. The rate at which the environment is being polluted has been reduced to the minimum as people are only disposing of their dirt in their houses. The road is now free from pollution of various kinds that humans are likely to contribute to the environment. With the restricted movement, the environment will maintain it's sereneness and also be rid of the Coronavirus that can be transferred from persons to persons.
This curfew is a good way to return to the good old time. Those times where there were no cars on the roads but horses that don't emit gases to the atmosphere. The good old time where hoes and cutlasses did the work without polluting the environment, unlike tractors that emit gases for humans to suffer. Those good old times where travelling didn't amount to air pollution. The good old time when the ozone layer was favourable for the growth of plants and beautiful vegetation everyone to enjoy. So here we have it, time away from those sophisticated technologies that endanger our health. Now, we can enjoy the good oxygen from the plants that are not being polluted by the gases that emanate from all the devices in these times. Most assuredly, the curfew will help to cleanse the environment at large and keep many safes at the same time.
So you see, although, the bad side of this Coronavirus is evident, the good side of the curfew is beneficial to all. Since the lockdown is in effect everywhere, the environment will continue to be peaceful and healthy regardless of the virus that is spreading. The curfew has successfully replaced the virus with good health by reducing it's spread. Finally, it is important to note that the virus curfew will only benefit all if, the stay-home policy is strictly adhered to otherwise, the environment might not be a safe place after all.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, we could not do it without you!
Most islands especially those on the Caribbean plate, owe their characteristic beauty to the coral reefs. These marine animals form a unique array of colors on their exoskeleton and are responsible for the glamour of water life. Some call them the gatekeepers of the marine world, maybe because of their significant role in protecting the shorelines and much more.
Over the years, many tourist industries have built a fortune out of these reefs – from the Scuba divers that could go all the way to the Caribbean just to admire the coral reefs and their symbiotic interplay with other marine lives, to those who just enjoy going on snorkel tour for the same effect. Just picture the beautiful backdrop of most the Caribbean islands and you will get the full effect the coral reefs can have on a space.
While the benefits or values these organisms can offer to the earth and humans are unending, they have been sadly short sleeved by harmful effects of inorganic chemicals, improper sewage disposal, air pollutants and sometimes excess nutrients. Let’s take a sneak peek into the possible cons these pollutants may have on these gatekeepers of the marine world.
Pollution, unfortunately, is one of the main problems that affect our corals. From oil spillages, fertilizer dumping and plastics been dropped in our oceans, the long term effects on the coral reefs is immeasurable. For one, there is an increase in nitrogen from the runoff fertilizers from farms and lawns, the toxins from the sewage from industries and communities greatly lead to a surge in the growth of algae which deplete the water’s dissolved oxygen. As it’s no secret that living things need oxygen to live and grow, this turn of event will invariably suffocate the coral reefs and other marine life.
Deforestation, construction, mining and some other land activities cause settling in rivers. And as one would expect, if water from these sources flows into the ocean, they end up covering the corals and depriving them of light which is their major source of growth. Another factor to consider in this light is the alarming rate of deforestation and the role they play. Also due to increase in air pollution and global warming, harmful substances and toxins in the marine world are also on the rise and most coral reefs can’t survive in places with high temperature due to little dissolved oxygen levels.
The term here is coral bleaching. Pollutants will cause these eco-friendly organisms to expel the algae (zooxanthellae) which help keep their color. Once this alga is gone, the coral becomes white, pale or totally lost their attractiveness. Are these algae that important to the survival of the coral reefs? The answer is – more than you can possibly imagine! The later gets the bulk of energy it needs from these algae therefore once they are expelled after bleaching, the coral reefs will begin to starve and more often death follows.
That said, the culprit here is usually extreme changes in temperature and in recent decades, there’s been a global call to pay attention to climate change and ozone layer depletion. The less attention we pay to protect our environment, the more we endear all of creation to the harmful effects of global warming.
We’ve been glued to test tubes and microscope in the hope that maybe the next sample will make humanity scream eureka again in medicines and pharmaceutical researches. The new wave in this area for about a decade now has been bio-prospecting in terrestrial terrains and the marine world is not left untouched. A number of researchers are shining the light on the coral ecosystem to develop new medicines that will be effective in the management of ulcers, labor pain, asthma, and heart and infectious diseases. Some even refer to the coral system has the medicine reservoir of the 21st century.
Now you can infer the greater harm these pollutants bring not just on the coral reefs but on us all. And ironically, the activities of man contribute more than any other to the pollutants that affect these beautiful creatures.
The more coral reefs that die, the less the money we make
The coral system is a hidden treasure, an untapped mine that houses the money bag. It has been reported that the coral reefs generate close to $375 billion each year – that’s a whole lot to be swept under the rug. It supports various aspects of the global economy, from food source to tourist attraction to jobs. Recently, due to an increase in population, the demand for food has increased leading to over-fishing; this affects the ecological balance.
As much as coral reefs are one of the best tourist attractions, they tend to always be a careless tourist who always causes unknown damage to the coral reefs. They touch them when they shouldn’t, they stir up sediments, they harvest corals for sales and all this eventually lead to a decrease in the coral ecosystem.
We also tend to forget that the coral reefs also act a buffer against the incoming waves and the loss of the coral reefs results in floods, and storm and those results in the loss of life and properties which is detrimental to the economy.
Indeed, the effects of pollutants on these biologically diverse species are seemingly infinite. When coral reefs are kept healthy and protected from environmental and natural threats, we have much more to benefit – better coastlines, fewer storms and erosion, healthier kinds of seafood and crops, improved medicines, recreation and of course more jobs and money to many.
Therefore, as quest to explore technologies, build industries and make unique marks on the sand of discovery is on the increase, one should always remember these collateral beauties and the effects that careless disposal of toxins will have on them and us all.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, we could not do it without you!
]]>
As the New Year rolls in, many people are setting ambitious New Year’s resolutions like lose weight, eat healthier, travel more, or make more money. However, most people end up giving up on them within a few weeks because they take too much time or are too difficult. Rather than pick up a typical “New Year, New Me” resolution, why not work on a “New Year, New Planet” resolution?
Everyone goes for the typical resolutions usually focused on their body or careers, but what if you focused on impacting the environment around you? Well, in this article, we’re going to show you a list of 20 zero waste resolutions for 2020 that won’t cause you to deprive yourself of tasty food or make you break your body as the gym would.
Instead, we’ll give you a list of easy resolutions you can pick up that you can feel good about, knowing you’re making a positive impact on the environment.
In the year 2050, the amount of plastic in our oceans will outweigh fish, according to Jersey Island Holidays. For every plastic bottle you buy, it adds to the massive amount of plastic waste that is building up by the millions in pounds every year. Plastic bottles take 450 years to decompose which means it will continue growing every year unless we pick an alternative.
Instead of plastic bottles, use a reusable water bottle made from metal. Not only will you be saving the environment, but it will also save you a ton of money in the long run.
Rather than buying a Starbucks coffee cup every day that gets thrown in the trash, use your own reusable coffee mug. Just like the reusable water bottle alternative above, this one will save the environment and help you save money. Those $5 coffees can add up to hundreds every month. Instead, use a metal reusable mug. You’ll also be able to keep your coffee hotter for longer.
Most of our waste as humans revolves around food and drink. If you can tackle these areas, you’ll be making the biggest difference. Rather than buying take out lunch at work and throwing out the plastic containers, use a reusable food container like Tupperware. Bringing your own lunch will also make sure you’re healthier too (helping with your eat healthy resolutions).
Single-use plastic bags were just outlawed in Thailand at the start of 2020. Other western countries aren’t far behind from adopting bans on single-use plastic bags. Instead of coming to the store empty-handed, bring a reusable tote bag or another bag to carry your groceries. Some places will charge you for plastic bags nowadays so it could save you money in the long run.
This is an easy one you can implement this year. Rather than buying over a dozen shampoo bottles this year that will end up in the trash, pick up a shampoo bar. It’s an easy way to control the amount of lather you want, plus, they’re generally cheaper to buy as well.
Plastic cutlery is unnecessary even if you’re ordering take out. If you have the option when ordering food to say no to cutlery, then say no. Use your own reusable cutlery at home. Plus, those plastic cutlery sets are so hard to use (and they often end up breaking which is annoying).
I know, this might be a tough one for many of you. However, did you know that the meat industry produces a massive amount of waste each year? According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, livestock farming contributes to 18% of greenhouse gas emissions produced by humans worldwide. If you can’t skip meat altogether, try only eating it once a week. Instead, load up on plant-based proteins like hemp seeds, quinoa, peanut butter, lentils, broccoli, and beans.
The clothing industry is one of the most wasteful industries in the world. It’s very harmful to the environment and produces a ton of waste every year. Rather than buying a new outfit once or twice a month, choose to reuse. It doesn’t have to be a dull experience. Go thrift shopping. Hunting for a hidden gem at the thrift store can be an awesome date idea.
Electrical waste is one of the most common forms of waste at home. How often do we leave lights on in the home even when we’re not in the room? Turn the lights off when you’re not using them, along with any other electronics. You’ll save a ton of energy and money from your lower electrical bill.
Driving a car around or using frequent taxis can cause a ton of pollution, harming the environment. Instead of hopping in your car next time you have to get groceries or head to work, use public transportation. If you live close enough to home, walk or bike. Not only will you be helping the environment, but you’ll be getting healthier without even trying.
Be conscious of where your food is coming from when you’re shopping. Transported foods lead to massive waste. The fact is, the longer the food has to travel, the more likely it is to go to waste. Choosing local foods will also save your body from nasty toxins and preservatives.
At home, rather than using paper towels to clean up a mess or dry your hands, use a reusable hand towel. It will help the environment and it will also help your wallet.
Farmer’s markets will help you avoid foods that are shipped across the world or country that can lead to heavy waste. Your farmer’s markets will also be much healthier, and better for your bodies since the food is in-season.
Whenever you’re shopping, skip the single-use bags. Make sure to refuse them as most retailers will automatically put your items in the bag. If you’re buying a few items, bring a tote.
LED light-bulbs are much more efficient, saving a ton of energy compared to fluorescent bulbs. You’ll be saving energy and saving money on your electrical bill with these bulbs.
If you’re heading to bed, do you really need to have your desktop computer, laptop, Wi-Fi, and other devices on? By shutting these devices off at night, you’ll save a ton of energy throughout the year. Plus, you’ll be saving yourself from nasty electromagnetic field radiation they produce.
If your door handle is loose, rather than buying a new one, try fixing it first. If your dresser paint is chipping, don’t just buy a new one. Paint it. You’ll be saving the environment big time.
Most cleaning products at home are terrible for the environment. We’ve all heard horror stories of fish or other animals becoming poisoned because just a little too much went down the drain. Instead, use natural cleaning products like lemon, baking soda, or vinegar. They’re much better, they waste less plastic, and they are much more affordable.
If you always think of the mantra, “Never plastic”, you’ll be able to find a variety of household items that are easily replaceable as you go about your daily routine. Bamboo toothbrushes are one way you can ditch plastic and pick a plant-based alternative that’s much safer for the environment.
Choosing zero waste doesn’t have to be hard. It certainly isn’t as hard as most of the common resolutions like losing 20 pounds or starting a constricting diet. The best part is, you don’t need to do all 20 of these tips at once. Start with one at a time. You’ll be amazed at how easy most of these really are. Most of these don’t even require you to go out of your way to implement them. When you’re at the store, just be environment-conscious and choose a green alternative to
your typical choice. When you’re at home, switch off the lights when you’re not using them and use reusable bags and containers when you head out.
You’ll start to notice others commenting on your choices and that’s your chance to shine. You can inspire your friends and family to start implementing zero waste habits this year by showing them just how easy it is.
The easiest way to inspire others to live environmentally-conscious is by showing them how fun it can be. Grab a few tote bags and invite a friend to a thrift store hunt! Don’t forget your reusable coffee mug. Afterward, take a walk with them to your local farmer’s market to pick up some fresh ingredients to make a tasty lunch.
So what are you waiting for? Take these 20 zero waste resolutions for 2020 and have fun. You’ll be glad you did, come 2021.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, we could not do it without you!
Sitting on the list of endangered species are sharks! And unfortunately, the threat to their existence is not only due to climate change or degradation of their habitats, but also because of human activities! The more sharks we kill (either directly or indirectly) the more the risk of wiping their species off the earth. And sharks are necessary sea creatures which makes it important that we all as humans work hard to protect them.
Now you may think: I don’t go to the sea to find and kill sharks, hence I’m not endangering sharks any further. Unfortunately, this is false! There are so many different products in the market that include shark parts. Most of these products are day to day products you use without a second thought. Learning about these products and learning how to detect shark parts within products can enable you to play your part in helping the sharks. The more people boycott shark products, the lesser the need to kill sharks to make them.
The first things we will be looking into are the easy-to-spot products that most likely contain shark parts. These products are probably things you buy daily or weekly. They include rock salmon, flake, whitefish fillet, fish fingers, imitation crab sticks, pet food, supplements with squalene, jewelry, anti-aging cream, garden fertilizer, deodorant, skin lotion, hair dye, lip balm, conditioner, makeup, sunscreen, wallets, energy drinks with chondroitin, sandpaper, medicinal creams, and even face cleansers.
When purchasing products, looking out for these ingredients will help you know if it contains sharks.
· Shark fins
Shark fins are either added to food ingredients and sold as meals, or are dried before being sold. Foods with shark fins are mostly consumed by Asians and are usually found in Chinese restaurants or in Chinatown in any part of the world. They can also be found in restaurants, stores, markets, and online stores.
Shark fin is so openly sold and consumed that most people find no issue with buying or consuming them. To aid the movement, you can stop consuming shark fins.
· Squalene (shark liver oil)
Shark liver oil is oil gotten from a shark’s liver. It’s often used in making cosmetic products such as body creams and lotions, hair conditioners, cleansers, and deodorants. It is also utilized for makeup products such as lipstick, eye shadows, and lip balm.
Squalene is sometimes used to make supplements and pills because it is assumed to contain medicinal properties. Sometimes it’s also used for making vaccines, cleaning agents and
lubricants.
· Shark meat
Although they are not consumed as frequently as other species of fish, shark meat, ray meat and skate are still consumed World Wide. Recently, it was discovered that shark meat is not as nutritious as other types of fish and meat and this reduced the demand for it and its appearance on menus. However, this development did not completely wipe off the killing of sharks for their meat. In almost every part of the United States, you will find mako or threshers in grocery stores. Most restaurants, in a bid to sell sharks anyway, change the name of the shark meals to make them more appealing. To spot these lookout for shark names like rock salmon, flake, catfish, Huss, steakfish, lemon fish, Rigg, ocean filet, cape fish, grayfish, little salmon, locks of Schiller, whitefish fillet and sea eel.
· Shark byproducts
Shark parts are also frequently used for making fishmeal made to feed livestock and pets. If you have a pet –especially cats or dogs –it is important that you check your pet food ingredient for sharks.
Shark parts are believed to make great supplements for dogs and sometimes, even chew toys. Sometimes these products are used as fertilizers, so as a garden or farm owner, look through each item for shark parts before purchase.
· Shark cartilage pills
Shark cartilage is widely sort after for pills and powders. This is because lots of companies use it in making dietary supplements and believe it is an effective cure for cancer. It is also frequently used as medicine to reduce or cure ailments such as shingles, arthritis, rheumatism, eczema, asthma, psoriasis and hemorrhoids.
Shark cartilage pills or powder are also quite popular and are sold in all parts of the world. This means there could be supplements and drugs at your nearest clinic with shark cartilage!
Although there has been no scientific proof that shark cartilage has any real benefits as supplements, its popularity still grows. To spot this shark part in your products, search ingredient lists for chondroitin or shark cartilage.
· Shagreen
Sharks have very strong skin. This makes them targeted animals by companies in need of leather for clothes, shoes, bags, belts and so on. Recently, the popularity of shark skin leather has spiked up, especially in the midst of celebrities and the elite. You can easily see famous people like Gordon Ramsay, Nicki Minaj and Will Smith wearing attires made with shark skin. Designers like Jimmy Choo and Tory Burch also make use of shark leather for their shoes and bags. Sharks such as bull sharks, whip rays, hammerhead, sandbar, dusky, tiger sharks and lemon sharks are the most popular sharks used for these products. All over the world shark leather is used to make more luxury products such as wallets, clothes, bookcases, watchstraps, phone cases and many more. To help protect sharks, you can stay away from items made with shark skin.
· Shark teeth
Just like shark skin, a shark’s tooth is also very strong and is often used in fashion. In souvenir shops close to rivers, you can easily find shark teeth kept in bottles or used for trinkets. They are also used for making jewelry.
Only certain species of sharks are under CITES are protected from being dismembered and sold. Unfortunately, even with these laws, some of these sharks are sold illegally.
Sharks are a species that should be protected. And while one person may not be able to do it alone, in unison with others determined to protect the sharks, we can boycott products made with shark parts and force companies to stop using sharks for their products. Share this information with as many people as you can and help save the sharks!
Thank you, thank you, thank you, we could not do it without you!
]]>
Planet earth, the most beautiful planet in our solar system teeming with diversity of life and blessed with the undeniable beauty of mother nature, but unfortunately this is slowly but surely changing as it is a well-known fact that this planet we call home is ailing as a result of man’s activities and our ambitions to create wealth by exploiting earth’s resources and taming it to suit our will.
The good news is; as discussions about climate change and its causes continue to grow and people begin to be more aware of how our planet is being impacted negatively thanks to the activities of humans. People, organizations and governments are becoming more committed to reversing this trend and educating people on best practices that will further the course of halting scary climate changes happening all over the world.
International Shipping is one of these activities that is having a significant effect on the health of the environment. As the activities of ships transporting goods, and people from one part of the world to another is on the increase and is affecting our oceans and seas directly and also adding to greenhouse gas emissions that is one of the leading causes of climate change and global warming.
To put this problem into perspective, did you know that when you order a product online from another country, that merchandise is most likely to be transported aboard a cargo ship. Beyond this, ships are useful in transporting large amounts of products across the world including crude oil, automobiles and other large numbers of heavy items that can’t be transported by air and also because this means of transportation is the most cost-effective for businesses. The numbers reflect this, as they show that about 90% of the world trade is carried on oceans and the number continues to grow as more and more businesses are emerging and preferring shipping to any other means of transportation. While this reflects the growth of the industry and paints a great picture from a financial standpoint, it isn’t so great for the environment and that is why international shipping is one of the most prominent factors driving climate change.
To back this claim, we shall be looking at some of the ways international shipping and ships are contributing to climate change, and why several organizations and groups are pushing for regulations and strategies that will change this trend.
Most ships require the combustion of fossil fuels to power them, and as a matter of fact the bigger the ship the more amount of energy it needs, which means the more the amount of fuel it needs to power it to perform its functions. As a consequence of the combustion of the fuel, air pollutants are released from the ships as a by-product of the combustion process. This is why according to the International Maritime Organization (IMO) estimates that shipping contributes to over 3% of global carbon dioxide emissions in 2012 and they project that it could rise to over 50% in 2050, this means that the global shipping industry produces almost the same amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases as countries like the USA, China, and Russia that are leading the global greenhouse gas emission list.
There is a significant amount of oil spillage caused by ships as they traverse the seas and this leads to distressing effects on not just the waters but marine life which consists of fishes, mammals, and plants. What makes spillage of crude oil on the ocean even worse is the fact that it contains polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that leads to loss of marine life when ingested and even affects humans. What’s more? These hydrocarbons remain in the water for many years and spread because they are very difficult to completely clean up. There have been some major incidences of oil spillage over the years that had caused devastation in and around the areas where they occurred.
Whether it is a cruise ship or a cargo ship they are maned by people and also transport people aboard them, and as a result, the waste produced by the people aboard the ships is discharged into the ocean. The untreated waste or sewage that is dumped into the sea contain harmful microorganism including bacteria, pathogens, and viruses that could be fatal to marine life when ingested and could also lead to excessive algae bloom that could deplete the oxygen supply in the area which also could lead to loss of marine life in the area.
Most older vessels navigating are not properly maintained by the shipping companies, and cause pollution problems in the sea. Most ships have rust underneath and can release other harmful chemicals that could destroy marine life and habitats.
These are some of the ways that international shipping and ships affect the environment negatively and cause climate change but thanks to efforts from organizations such as the International Marine Organization that are leading the change and working in tandem with the United Nations to ensure that this industry puts in place regulations and guidelines that should help further the UN’s climate change initiatives and combat climate change and its effects. The IMO has designed and come up with some policies that will help the maritime/ shipping industry to conform to reduce pollution and emission of greenhouse gases. These policies include: the Energy Efficiency Design Index (EEDI) and Ship Energy Efficiency Management Plan (SEEMP) which are contained under the IMO’s pollution prevention treaty (MARPOL).
In 2018, the IMO adopted a strategy that is aimed at progressively reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships. This strategy will help to regulate the amount of fuel burnt by each type of ship for certain cargo capacity. Also, part of this strategy will be to execute global technical cooperation projects that will assist in some developing States to adopt energy efficiency practices in the shipping sector. Some other regulations and measures are contained in the IMO’s strategy that affirms its commitment to a healthier planet which is a course to get excited about. To find out more about what the IMO is doing to combat climate change click on the http://www.imo.org/en/MediaCentre/HotTopics/Pages/Reducing-greenhouse-gas-emissions-from-ships.aspx.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, we could not do it without you!
]]>
Because only 20% of the plastic used on earth is actually recycled despite an increasing amount of production. Unfortunately, it takes centuries for plastic to breakdown, causing a tragic case of damage and pollution in our oceans and we don’t have all that time. An understanding of the nature of plastic and how it breaks down is critical to be able to combat plastic damage to the earth and oceans.
This article takes a more in-depth look at what happens to plastic trash that is not recycled, and it answers the question about whether or not plastic breaks down to chemicals that can safely be reabsorbed into the environment.
What happens to waste plastic?
Several attempts to bring awareness to the environmental dangers of waste plastic has shown polluted and clogged waterways as well as drainage systems. But, that does not fully explain what happens to all the plastic we throw away in the trash.
Firstly, not all of the plastic disposed of gets sorted out and recycled or reused; statistics show that only 20% is recycled. Leaving 80% that are either buried or flushed into the ocean. There are only two ways that the 80% non-recycled plastic can breakdown. These are through photo-degradation and biodegradation.
Only plastic exposed to sunlight can undergo photo-degradation. The only exposed plastic are those flushed into the oceans and not those buried. Burred plastic that only has the option of biodegradation by bacteria or fungi produced by micro-organisms. Unfortunately, the complex nature of the bonds of plastic hinders the ability for these living organisms to break them down. Hence, buried plastics might not even biodegrade after centuries.
With our hopes turned to photo-degradation, it would seem like our plastic problems should be easy to solve since most of the plastics end up in the ocean anyways. Unfortunately, occurrences of dead fishes turning up on our shores with the cause of death being ingestion of some plastic waste beg to differ. They are not breaking down fast enough. Even the ones that eventually get broken down do not do so to a safe, absorbable form. So, what happens to photo-degraded plastic?
What is 'plastic breakdown?'
Photo-degradation of plastic: UV rays of light is used to breakdown plastic through a method referred to as 'photo-degradation.' This process can be mimicked in a lab or facilitated by prolonged exposure of the plastic to sunlight. A closer look at what happens during this process is; after a while, the light can breakdown the strong bonds of plastic. Resulting in further decomposition.
Additives added during the manufacture of plastics help to preserve their life cycle. As if the complexity of the molecular chain is not a problem enough when it comes to decomposition, these additives make the job a lot harder. It is important to note that these additives are added to foster durability and prolonged usage and life cycle, which is excellent when it is in use. But with a closer look at what happens beyond the usage of plastic, the durability becomes a disadvantage because the effect of those additives need to be broken down before any proper decomposition of plastic can happen. Additives mean longer plastic exposure time that we can’t afford.
Researchers found out that, photo-degradation of plastic can occur in a year when they are in warm oceans. Unfortunately, when plastic eventually gets broken down by light, it does not become environmentally safe. What happens is that the molecular chain is broken down, allowing decomposition of large, visible plastic matter into microplastic. Microplastic is only a fancy name for tiny plastic particles.
Even after waiting centuries for plastic to finally breakdown, it doesn’t disappear nor become safely absorbed. It just becomes teeny weeny bits of plastic. These microplastics are still as harmful and plastics that are yet to be broken down. They contain environmentally toxic chemical constituents that are harmful to both water and land animals.
Controlled photo-degradation makes it possible to reuse microplastic as plastic fibers. The plastic fabrics eventually face wear and tear from usage. With wearing out of plastic fabrics, toxic microfibers are once again released into the environment. So, when it comes to photo-degradation, we are stuck in a cycle of toxicity, and the impact is only delayed until it is finally released back to the environment.
Humans can easily ingest the toxic chemical constituents of microplastics. Microplastics, are carried by the oceans and are ingested by fishes which quickly makes its way up the food chain to be consumed by humans; even if you are vegetarian. As microfibers, they are present in the air as well as the water.
The result is poorer health and gradual eradication of our species. Our only hope now becomes control of plastic production and biodegrading already existing plastic.
Biodegrading plastic
With the harsh reality of what happens during the plastic breakdown, a lot of effort has gone into research on how to biologically breakdown plastic. The result of the study includes biodegradable plastic, a bacteria discovered to be able to decompose plastic and a mutant enzyme with the probability of being optimized to breakdown plastic.
In addition to that, an enzyme able to breakdown plastic by a team of Japanese researchers is a positive lead. Although in its early stages, the team expects that the enzyme can be optimized to achieve a complete decomposition. In summary, biodegrading plastics is yet to get to the stage of solving the crisis of plastic pollution.
In conclusion, a global sensitization is necessary to encourage people to choose recyclable products. It can only be achieved when people fully understand the danger of the situation. Plastics are dangerous even when they are said to be broken down. They don’t become any less toxic with break down; instead, it becomes easier for the toxicity to seep up the food chain.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, we could not do it without you!
ALSO DISCOVER:
As inhabitants of Earth, it is only logical for us to try to sustain our planet, not just for its continuity but for our prolonged existence as humans as well. Mother Earth has given us so much. Everything we need, every resource, every mineral, every wildlife it has provided for us, for our food, shelter, and our source of income. And what do we do in return? We keep milking every inch of it and dump the waste from it back into its grounds. Our planet bleeds, begging for mercy, crying out to a deaf race, the human race. Don’t you see that we’re not only killing it, but we’re also orchestrating our extinction as well.
Pollution, epidemic, diseases, flood, hurricane, and lots more, these are not mere coincidences they are results of our shortcomings and ill practices towards the land we call home. The ice caps are melting, the waste we dispose of is not decomposing, the ozone layer is continuously depleting, global warming is upon us. Why? Because we are not serious about our planet.
We have become a people that is only concerned about what we can get from Earth, and not how we can replenish and nurture it. As it stands, we have an obvious choice to make. Either we let our planet rot and die, with us as hosts, or we can indulge certain practices and make them our obligation, so that Earth can last longer for us, for our kin, for our kind. How can we save Earth? We’re glad you asked. This piece is dedicated to the simple yet effective changes we can all make to keep our planet bountiful. Here’s how to save mother Earth.
This may sound cliché or too easy but this is all you have to do. Cut back on some things and reuse other things, it’s really that simple. This is how it works. Once you require less of a particular material or item, the demand for it reduces and there’s no need to go through the hassle of harnessing and processing it if it’s not needed, hence saving the planet because the associated natural resource the Earth provides will not be exploited further neither will its accustomed wildlife and organisms be harmed. Even the waste that would have been expelled from it will not exist, therefore ridding the planet of further pollution amongst other things.
Being eco-friendly has some requirements and activities that need to be strictly adhered to. Anyhow, regardless of any reason you may have for going green, either to save money, conserve wildlife, or just because of its simplicity, every step you take and every effort you put into eco-friendly living is a step and an effort to save the world. If you’re just beginning, these guidelines are the methods you can use to live in an ecologically friendly environment.
Often times we tend to overuse some basic yet much-needed resources on a daily basis. Take water for instance. When was the last time you turned off the tap when you were brushing your teeth, took a shorter shower or used less water for laundry? We’re guessing you can’t remember. Water constitutes about71% of the Earth’s surface, looking at this number you may not take water reduction seriously. However for every 400 gallons of water, you use per day, there is a significant aquatic life form that is dying of drought. You have a chance to make this right, all you’ll need to do is to cut back on excessive use of water and other natural resources whose overuse has a detrimental effect to lifeform and the world in general. For materials like plastic, metal, glass and even paper, you should try as much as possible to reduce your need for them.
Reusing of products is a sure way of conserving energy and being eco-friendly. When products are reused either by recycling or revamping, a lot of energy that could have gone into the production of a new one is ultimately saved and conserved for future use. Instead of throwing it out and buying a new one when you need it why not reuse it? Materials like plastic, paper, wood, and glass can be reused for various purposes. Let’s say you had a plastic bottle which you used as a water retainer, when you’re about to throw it away, you can turn it into something that will serve a different purpose instead, like a pen holder, that way you’ve reused the plastic bottle and you have no need to buy a ready-made pen holder. Reusing materials slashes the need for the production of more finished products. One thing we should try your reuse is wood and paper. This is because they are gotten from the chopping down of trees and this upsets the ecological balance of our world. Deforestation affects us all. Its consequences are bestowed upon organisms, wildlife and humans as well. To prevent poaching and wildlife extinction, it is important to reuse and redesign materials instead of throwing it out.
Recycling is one of the most important steps towards being eco-friendly. The truth is, recycling has a lot of advantages to the environment in more ways than one and everyone should look towards getting on the bandwagon. Our environment would be better for it if we can decide to send a lot of our household items and appliances that are no longer in use to the recycling plants rather than leaving them on the landfills where they could either cause environmental hazards or even increase the sheer volume of the wastes on the landfills. Hence, if you are thinking of eco-friendly living then you should have two types of waste bins, one that’s filled with compostable waste and the other, recyclables. Recycling only enables us to reuse what we would have thrown out.
You can recycle pretty much everything from glass to paper to batteries and even cars. Materials like plastic do not decompose and 70% of plastic bags, bottles, containers, cutlery, etc end up in landfills and takes a thousand years to completely decompose. This is what has led to the argument “Earth or Plastic?” The way it is, if this continues, there will be more landfills than actual land in the coming years. A change is long overdue and this is why we need all hands on deck. Producing industries and factories give off tons of toxic waste that is introduced into our land and seas, killing aquatic life and rendering the water unfit for consumption. With continued waste, the demand for these materials is on the high side, hence by reusing what we can, reducing what we can’t and participating in recycling, we have succeeded in reducing the demand on these materials, saving various species of lifeforms, and ourselves.
A lot of us are much more comfortable investing in substandard products just because they are cheaper. What we must realize as we make these choices is that these poor products we engage in buying are not eco-friendly. There are tons of substandard products in today’s market, and as we know, cheap and low-quality products have sooner expiration dates than high-quality products. If after ruin or damage, another low-quality product is purchased, then you have not only wasted your money but you have increased the need for substandard products in the market. With a standard or quality product, its warranty is high likewise its durability. You’ll have no need to purchase another any time soon as it will still serve its purpose years from now. Buying quality products is eco-friendly and it saves you from unwarranted future expenses.
How many of us actually pay a great deal of attention to turning off our electricity after use or when not in use? The truth is, we are doing the environment much more favor than we know by simply engaging in these simple but important routines. When you switch off the electricity when not in use, you are preserving a lot of energy which could have been taken out of the environment and saving them for future use. Energy is something that is frequently overused and this shouldn’t be so. Electricity is supplied directly to our homes and offices and most times we fail to adhere to simple practices that could save us a lot, from money to our planet as a whole. When power is constantly being used or when electrical devices are always on standby its generating companies only have to produce more to keep up with its demand and our carbon footprint increases. But if we turn off the light bulb, air conditioners, thermostat, refrigerators, and other appliances when they are not in use, or when we’re about leaving the house, this need reduces and with it your electric bill. It’s a win-win situation. However, you do not have to try all these at once, start small and build your way up depending on your comfort zones.
Repairing things is much more ecologically friendly than throwing it away, even as the latter option is easier on your pocket. Almost everything that is damaged can be repaired with the right tools and adequate knowledge. However, if you don’t want to spend so many funds in getting it fixed, the internet houses everything we need to know about repairs and their respective tutorials, indulge it. Knowledge is power, wield it.
Nevertheless, if after this you cannot still fix what was damaged, or it is damaged beyond repair you might as well turn it to something else. This way you have recycled and reused it, but whatever you do, do not throw it away if you’re practicing eco-friendly living. It’s much easier on the environment.
What you think you’re better off without, or the items you have no use for anymore, instead of throwing them out you can donate them to people who are actually craving for it. There are tons of foundations and agencies that help care for those in need; you can support them by donating what you’re no longer using. You can pretty much donate anything from food to clothes to appliances and other supplies. By doing this you’re not only saving the planet but you’re equally putting smiles on people’s faces as well as ridding yourself of all the clutter that comes with unused items. People that without your donation may have had nothing to eat or no clothes to wear will be ecstatic to receive them. Donate today, save the planet today.
In order to maintain our sustenance on Earth, we will have to make some changes. Our lives are dependent on this. Scientists have highlighted that in the coming years there are only two options. It’s either our planet will kill us, it’s inhabitants, or we will destroy our world. Both ways do not seem to have a happy ending hence we’ll need to make some cuts to leave the planet habitable enough for a future generation. Simple eco-friendly activities like recycling, reducing and reusing certain materials are very effective in minimizing the damages of the activities of the human race. These damages include drought, pollution, and its related diseases, infant mortality, hurricanes and lots more. We can admit that these are all deadly and hence, we’ll need to abide by these counter practices for our sakes.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, we could not do it without you!
Pollution, a word we hear almost every day wherever we go from schools to offices and our homes. Pollution has affected our natural environment so much that it feels natural for a place to be polluted. The pollutants which are the causes of the different types of pollution like water, air, noise, soil, and so many others come in various forms, but mostly waste products from our usual day to day activities. The deadly effects of pollution on our ecosystem has increased over the years and caused us more harm than before. Pollution in their different forms has negative effects on the human health generally and in the future might become worse as the emission of greenhouse gases causing global warming is increasing at an alarming rate. In the long run, the depletion of the earth’s ozone layer caused by mostly human activities leaves us with a high risk of Ultra Violet rays. Pollution not only has effects on humans, but our dear plants and animals. Imagine a world without food to eat as a result of pollution caused by over-consumption and unique use of things. Some major factors have affected us from knowing how bad pollution has affected us in our world. Education is one key factor that has hindered us from knowing these things. Ignorance about our ecosystem has made us completely unaware of the risks that pollution brings to our society.
Some Facts about Pollution You Need To Know
(Source: www.dosomething.org)
We can make a big difference in our ecosystem and reduce the dangerous effects of pollution in our communities. With SOS Future, your contributions can make our dear earth safer and be free of pollution. Together, we can make an impact on our environment and create a better future for our next generation and beyond by applying a simple step every day.
We are a non-profit focused on educating and shedding light on environmental issues affecting the current state of the environment and developing new ways to decrease negative footprints for future generations via classes and sustainable products.
That's the reason we created the non-profit organization SOS Future.
Having the vision to reduce waste and inspire people to live closer to nature, it’s our Drive, our Passion, and our Mission.
To make this happen, we need to go to the root of the problem:
Join the SOS Future organization today and be informed. Taking care of your environment makes you a hero and heroes are who we and the next generation to come are looking up to.
Also discover:
20 Zero Waste Resolutions For 2020
We teach our kids to put the trash in the waste bin but have we taught them the importance of trashing our garbage and how proper treatment of waste can help our environment, safeguard their future, prevent pollution, or how using earth safe products and introducing ways of go green can change the world as we see it today and forever. Our children are the future, and they will only enjoy this earth, when we have to protect, preserve, and recycle today for a sustainable tomorrow.
Welcome to SOSFuture, your neighborhood watchdog on changing the way we handle our waste and teaching us the importance of recycling to our environment. At SOSFuture we
Every day, millions of plastics and debris wash into oceans from our neighborhood, our drainage are clogged with dirt, new diseases and germs are discovered daily, our air is heavy and our waters unsafe, but the good thing is that we can change all this. Perhaps not immediately, but if we all pitch in and do our little best, and employ others to do the same, our planet and environment will be healthy and safe for our kids and their kids.
Recycling is reusing. It means that we should learn to reuse what we have instead of buying more waste and piling up dirt that ends up in landfills, our oceans, the drainage and finally back to us with dire consequences. Recycling helps us to regulate our household wastes, lowers greenhouse emissions and landfilling. Although regulated landfills are okay, they have a detrimental and adverse effect on the environment and people that leave miles away from these sites.
Controls pollution
To control pollution, we have to understand what pollution is – it is the introduction of harmful substances or items that don’t conform to our natural environment or tampers with the harmony of the planet. These pollutants can be air, land, light, sea, and noise or even foreign occurring substances due to our pollution. However, there are ways to prevent pollution and reduce the harmful effect of greenhouse gases that are damaging the ozone layers, affecting the climate and causing an increase in natural disasters, and creating spaces for new breeds of diseases to thrive on.
Ways to prevent pollution
Use reusable bottle: plastics are the biggest pollutant we have to date. It is filling up our drainages, disposed of in our oceans, killing marine life, deforming the beauty of our cities and in turn harming us. In the United States alone, 2.5 million water bottles are used every hour; multiply this number by 365 days of the year and we have almost 1 billion water bottles. However, when we reuse these bottles, we gradually cut down the quantity and repair our environment too.
Start a compost site: One way to reduce the food waste in our household is to start a compost site, just find a small corner and dispose your degradable food waste missed with sand and allow decomposition which can be used in our flower pots, gardens, and for the grass in the yard
Trash Properly: If you can’t afford two or three bins in your home, have bags that will house glass, tin, paper that is sent to your local recycling station for proper disposal or recycled for other products.
Don’t dispose of oily wastes in your drain: Communities across the US have sites where you can take your old car oil for reuse where the old oil is properly recycled and reused. These methods and many more such as taking a walk to your office or the road transit system instead of using your car to limit air pollution and more are ways to prevent pollution.
Ways to go Green
Some people still don’t understand what it means by going green. To go green means devising more eco-friendly means that will help protect and keep the environment safe for us and future generations. This may include changing our lifestyle and be responsible for our immediate environment.
What are earth safe products: these are products that are safe for you and the earth. They are usually biodegradable products that help users reduce, reuse and recycle, it also helps us prevents pollution in the environment. Earth-friendly products are replacing plastics straws with aluminum straws, clothes made from recycled materials, using stainless drinking bottles instead of plastic water bottles.
Aside from the above, we can swap our chemical cleaning agent for more natural options like vinegar, washing soda, lemon, and borax.TRY some DIY!
At SOSFuture, we are passionate about the environment and more importantly how recycling can change the environment. Our recycling ideology extends beyond our home to our environment and the world at large. However, we know we can’t do it alone that why we are calling on you and you to join us to create a sustainable and healthy future for our kids and their kids. It will also allow us to enjoy the environment while we are still here.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, we could not do it without you!
READ MORE:
20 Zero Waste Resolutions For 2020
]]>
]]>
Hello and welcome to SOSFuture. If you are here that means you know the impact of a clean environment and is willing to work towards keeping it clean or perhaps you are looking to learn more about how you can help to change the damage done to mother earth. Well, either way, you are welcome to SOSFuture.
Do you know how you impact the earth, the effect of plastics and non-bio-degradable wastes? Do you know that by going green – and even though it includes eating locally grown organic foods – using earth safe products and recycling can change the world and give our children and their children a better survival chance tomorrow. The life of the earth is in our hands, join us today and let’s make it better.
At SOSFuture, we are a group of green-minded individual that is keen on doing our part to change the effect of improper waste management by controlling how we handle our own in-house wastes. In addition to the following, we also give our members the proper education about our environment.
We are a non-profit organization that wants to help the environment, reduce the impact of pollution in the atmosphere and our surrounding. You can refer to us as the “green” family as we are looking for greener alternatives to better our environment and changing our mentality about garbage, recycling, and going green.
At SOSFuture, our environmental conscience-self allows us to speak openly about the negative impact of the pollution and how we can better it. Some ways we impacting are:
SOSFuture is the effort of you and me: we will love you to join us today and save this home for our kids and us. We welcome all members that have ideas to share concerning our planet and on greener alternatives. For environmental lovers like us that have products for sale, become a seller with us today
This earth is the only livable planet we have, so why not join us today and save our home.
Thank you, thank you, thank you, we could not do it without you!