We are all responsible about the change in climate nowadays. The moment when we produce waste every hour of every day make us wonder that out of billions of people in this world, how do we communicate for better solutions? But the bigger question is, are we making a difference in renewing our ways to make the world a better place to live in?
Based on the study made by numbeo.com (last updated in October, 2014), the pollution in the Philippines has reached a high percentage of 72.30% on its Pollution Index, a simple and generalized way to describe the quality of pollution data.
Also, according to the data given, air and water pollution has reached a high rating with 63.41% and 71.65% respectively.
Living in a drastically polluted environment would reflect to how we, as Filipinos, are stagnant in changing our lifestyle.
In our own little ways, we can be catalysts in creating a better world. Here’s how:
Reduce, reuse, recycle (3Rs)
Recycling is the system of collecting, sorting and reprocessing old materials into usable raw materials. Reduce, reuse and recycle are three ways to take action against household wastes.
You can reduce the amount of trash you throw out when you become mindful of the reusable things (papers, bags and containers) inside your home and might as well buy reusable products. In this way, you can recycle anything that is eco-friendly, and compost food scraps and yard trimmings.
So What Can You Reduce, Reuse and Recycle?
- Paper (magazines, newspaper, phone books, cardboard)
Since it’s almost the season of giving gifts, why not give eco-friendly gifts by creating papier-mâché items and even wrap it with magazines or newspapers?
Newspaper-wrapped present from Google Images.
Paper-machéd pink bear from Google Images.
- Glass (bottles, jars) & Plastic (milk jugs, soda bottles, detergent containers)
Glass is one of the few materials that can be recycled infinitely without losing strength, purity or quality. Upcycling is a term used to describe taking useless products and creating new products of better quality and/or higher value. There are many ways how to upcycle unused bottles and jars. You can view Design Rulz for examples on how to creatively reuse unused plastic/glass bottles and jars.
Plastic soda bottles used as an alternative to pots for plants from Google Images.
Other examples in upcycling plastic bottles from Google Images.
- Aluminum (beverage containers).
Aluminum cans are among the materials most often collected for recycling and one of the easiest to process. Aluminum also has high value in the recycling industry for its sustainability. Recycled aluminum also gets new life as a component in a variety of products that you use every day, from cookware to computers and automobiles. For beverage containers, if you recycle them, this is what they become.
Aluminum candle holder from Google Images.
Aluminum cans as centerpieces from Google Images.
Remember to rinse cans and bottles before recycling them!
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