The coronavirus pandemic has thrown a lot of things up in the air, but one positive that seems to have come out of it is it’s resulting impact on the environment. Lockdowns, closed workplaces, and the lack of travel have caused global emissions to fall, specifically on global CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions. One activity that has really flourished is gardening and growing our own food. Most people took up gardening during lockdown.
Nevertheless, with positives such as a reduction in aviation – a big contributor to emissions and green energy, the problem of waste and plastic pollution is still a huge issue. And especially with the increased use of personal protective equipment (PPE), it highlighted the negative impact of Covid on the environment. We’ve all probably noticed disposable face masks littered in parks or the odd glove on the street.
We understand that we all have a lot more to worry about than the environment, but with these simple eco-friendly practices, one can still play a part without taking up too much time or effort. There are many ways to be eco-friendly and have a positive impact on the environment during a pandemic without compromising on safety
Use reusable face coverings mask
There are disposable masks and gloves that are being used worldwide. A lot of these are ending up on our streets, in our parks, and even in our oceans which are still contributing to having a negative effect on the planet. So to reduce waste, use a reusable face covering instead of single-use versions. You can buy them online or you can even try making your own. Do invest in a reusable face mask, rather than use the plastic single use/disposable ones.
Ditch the plastic gloves and start using disposable gloves
Reusable gloves are available everywhere now and are relatively inexpensive. For people in certain professions, disposable gloves are essential for safety purposes. However, for the general public, reusable gloves should suffice.
Invest in refillable sanitiser and soap dispensers
This one mostly applies mainly to businesses. We’ve all seen the small pump bottles of sanitiser, those small bottles don’t last long. These plastic bottles really add up in waste. Instead, why not invest in a dispenser or sanitiser station, and then you just have to buy refills every now and then? It’s both the better environmental and economic choice!
Install a sensor tap to save water
We’re all washing our hands a lot more, so we’re probably using more water than we usually would. So there will be an increase in water wastage. Wasting water affects the environment by polluting natural bodies of water and damaging ecosystems.
One way to combat wasting water is by putting in a sensor tap. These are motion detection devices, so will only release water when the user needs it. They’re also usually designed to have a lower flow rate, an aerator in the spout, and materials that prevent any leaks. These save on water and energy.
Here are some tips that will help you to save water in your home and garden:
- Install a water butt to collect rainwater which can be used elsewhere
- Use a washing up bowl and then reuse your dishwater on your plants
- When washing your clothes, make sure to always do full loads
- Reduce your shower time by a couple of minutes or fill your bath with less water
- Use a watering can instead of a hosepipe
- Reduce your energy usage
With lots of people still working from home and spending more time indoors in general, it’s important we all try to keep our energy usage down to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
The following tips could help to use less energy at home:
- Turn your heating down by a couple of degrees
- Make use of natural light during the day instead of having your lights on
- Switch off your standby appliances at the plug
- Upgrade to a smart thermostat so you can control your heating more efficiently
- Draught proof your home to prevent cold air entering it
- Up cycle household items and rubbish
It’s also important about the impact commonly discarded household items and single-use plastic products can have on the environment.
To help reduce the amount of waste, try reusing some of the items.
Use a reusable bottle
The bottles which are recyclable, it doesn’t mean they will actually get recycled. A huge amount of them still end up in our oceans, making them one of the main contributors to marine pollution.
This problem would be tackled by using a refillable bottle instead of buying bottled water, or by reusing a single-use bottle multiple times before throwing it away.
By making conscious decisions, you can impact the environment positively.