We are currently facing various environmental problems that, for several years, have advanced rapidly, endangering not only ecosystems, but also all human beings.
Climate change, pollution, deforestation, the extinction of species and the loss of biodiversity are some of the main environmental problems we are experiencing.
Fortunately, every day, we are more who care and add to the care of our planet. But there is still much to do.
We are all part of this planet, and no matter how small they may seem, our actions have a positive or negative impact on it. Together we can make big changes, generating actions that contribute to caring for our environment.
Do you know what happens to the garbage we generate?
At lunchtime we generate a considerable amount of waste, from napkins, plastic bags, PET bottles, tetra-pak containers, fried food wrappers, etc.
Most of the garbage ends up in landfills, the rest ends up in the streets, drains, rivers and seas, causing pollution, floods and damaging the lives of more than 700 species of living beings, from the sea turtle to the blue whale.
Almost 13 million tons of plastic reach the oceans each year, without counting those that end up in rivers and at the bottom of lakes.
We can all help clean our planet, making responsible consumption, creating new habits and informing ourselves of the impact that the products we consume have on the environment.
Acquiring the habit of separating the “garbage” by categories and depositing it in the corresponding containers facilitates the separation between disposable waste and waste that may have another use and helps to reduce pollution, by reducing garbage in a large percentage.
How to separate the garbage?
You can start by separating the organic from the inorganic waste:
- Identify the garbage containers in your house, school, plaza, etc. Classify the waste and deposit it in the corresponding container. Right here, in La Salle, you will find the containers with the following classification:
Orange container. Non-recyclable inorganic waste:
- Food wrappers, pens, markers, plasticized materials, other non-recoverable ones.
Green container. Organic waste:
- Food scraps, tea, coffee, fruit peels, and garden scraps.
- Contained or gray. Recyclable inorganic waste:
- Tin, glass, and Tetrapack.
Blue container. PET:
- Plastic bottles.
More suggestions for responsible consumption:
- One of the proposals that can help you to consume responsibly and generate a lesser impact on the environment is the use of the 3 R rule.
Reduce:
- Refers to reducing the volume of waste. Buy only what is necessary avoiding consumerism. Before buying a product ask yourself if you really need it.
Reuse:
- Refers to reuse materials that can still be used, instead of throwing them away. During your lunch, when ordering take-out food, in meetings with your friends, etc. Avoid using Styrofoam, opt for returnable containers. Opt for bags that you can put more use to, so you will be generating less waste. Before throwing an object make sure that you can no longer give it a second chance.
Recycle:
- It is the recovery or uses to which used materials or waste are subjected to be usable again, in their original use or another.
- The paper can be reused on both sides. The clean sheets of the notebooks that you no longer use, you can collect and make a new notebook or turn it into a personalized agenda.
- The paper that can no longer be used, separate it and deposit it in the eco-bins of your school to recycle it. The papers that you can deposit are bond paper, cardboard, notebooks, folders, brochures, photocopies, books, and magazines.
However, the 3 R’s are not the only options, we can also:
- Change our means of transport. In short and safe distances avoid using the car, you can choose to walk or use bicycles. It helps you improve your physical health and at the same time, you favor our planet.
- Take care of the water. When bathing, brushing your teeth, washing dishes, etc., use only the necessary water. When you’re not using the water, turn off the tap and check for leaks.
- Turn off the lights. If you leave your room turn off the light, if your house has windows open them to let in the sunlight. Try to study in the afternoons, to avoid turning on the light at night. Avoid leaving appliances plugged in.
With all these actions, you contribute to reducing expenses at home, caused by the misuse of electrical energy, and at the same time you join the care of the environment.