5 ways to help the planet from the comfort of your own home

Climate change, depletion of fresh water reserves and pollution of the world’s oceans, destruction of soil cover, extinction of various species of animals and plants – these are not all the problems that environmentalists are increasingly talking about. The need to use natural resources wisely is now more acute than ever. Taking care of the environment is not as difficult as it may seem at first glance. You just have to start. Here are five ways you can help the environment from the comfort of your own home. Small changes to your routine can make a big difference.

Sort your trash

There are tons of products produced every year that take quite a long time to decompose in the natural environment. Therefore, after use, it must be properly disposed of and recycled to create secondary raw materials. Otherwise, the planet will turn into a huge landfill.

What to do?
Waste must be properly sorted. So, in one container you can collect dry paper, in the second – plastic products, in the third – waste in the form of food scraps, and in the fourth – glass. On the street, sorted garbage should be thrown into special containers. If you do not have such containers in your yard – take it to special sorting centers. You can see a map of such centers in your city here.

Properly dispose of batteries

Recycling household batteries helps not only to save nature and reduce emissions of heavy metals (cadmium, lead, mercury), but also allows you to get metal salts, graphite and iron without using primary resources.

For example, one “finger” battery pollutes 20 square meters of land and 400 cubic meters of water with heavy metals. Batteries burned in incinerators produce dioxins, which then enter the human body through water or air. This is why it is so important to collect and dispose of batteries separately from household garbage.

What to do?
Used batteries should be taken to special recycling points. As a rule, they are available in large electronic equipment stores.

Don’t use polyethylene

Did you know that discarded plastic bags are not biodegradable? Now let’s imagine: there are about a trillion new plastic bags every year.

But it’s important to realize that you can’t burn them, as this will lead to the release of carbon monoxide and harmful carcinogens, and burying them will cause water and soil poisoning. In this way, plastic bags form a persistent pollution.

What to do.
You can replace plastic bags with paper bags, cloth bags or you can use a garbage bag.

Inform

One of the biggest challenges in switching to conscious consumption is figuring out where to start. You can communicate the benefits of being resource conscious to those around you, such as through social media.

What to do.
In the digital age, spreading the word is pretty easy. For example, even by liking a post on Instagram about conscious consumption or reposting it on your page, you’re doing your part. By increasing the reach of your posts, you’re helping more people learn about environmental issues.

Support the international Earth Hour campaign

Every year on the last Saturday in March, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) holds an international Earth Hour campaign, calling on all organizations, businesses, schools, and individuals to turn off electricity for one hour. The purpose of the action is to draw people’s attention to the need for responsible attitude to nature and the planet’s resources.

What to do?
Everything is very simple. It is only necessary to turn off the lights and those electrical appliances that are not related to safety and health for an hour.

Participating in large-scale actions, organizing recycling centers in your city and attracting public attention to environmental problems is a good thing. But not everyone has the time and resources to immerse themselves in such an issue. However, it is possible to help the planet and do your part a little at a time. What is a small step towards change for you will be a big leap for humanity.