When it comes to making the decision to change your lifestyle and start acting green, most people are hesitant to take that first step towards going the road less traveled. Many think that it will be more of a chore than a self-fulfilling act, or even worse, that only one person can’t possibly make a difference. It’s thoughts like these that stop the progression towards improving our environment, and ultimately threatens our future as residents here on Earth. If we don’t stop this selfish train of thought and start acting green, then it is certain that we will permanently tarnish the only planet we have to call home.
Why is it so important to separate and recycle my waste?
Currently, concern is spreading that landfills are running out of space due to the masses of non-biodegradable materials that are being dumped into them each year. With the typical American throwing out an average 4.5 lbs of trash per day, (most of which goes to solid waste landfills), there is most definitely reason to worry. Even worse, statistics point out that about 1/3 of America’s annual waste comes from businesses, 6% of which is plastic that mostly goes to landfills. A mere 7% of the total plastic consumed by Americans is actually recycled, the remaining 88% is either incinerated (sending cancerous toxic dioxins into the atmosphere) or sent to a dump, where it is buried and remains there for hundreds of years, unaltered, wasting precious landfill space.
What are the other harmful effects of not living green?
It is obvious that America suffers from severe consumption addiction, using huge quantities of non-biodegradable products, which will never see a recycling plant. The most devastating fact is that majority of these products are also manufactured with toxic non-recyclable materials whose processes spew bio-hazardous waste into the same air we breath every single day. Products such as Styrofoam, Cadmium, and worst of all PVC are especially harmful to our environment.
Polyvinyl chloride, other wise known as PVC, is quite possibly the most hazardous man made material that we come in contact with as part of our everyday lives. Much of discarded PVC is burned knowingly in municipal incinerators, sending miniscule but extremely potent quantities of dioxin into the air. When airborne this powerful chemical can travel a few feet or thousands of miles. These same dioxins that are sent into the air we breathe compare closely with those found in the production waste of the notorious herbicide, Agent Orange. Even the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) states that the dioxins produced from the incineration and production of PVC are “extremely toxic, long-lived, and ever-present in both the environment and our bodies.” Recent studies have proved how PVC has irreparably harmed the health of many thousands of PVC production workers, and near by residents. Besides being the direct cause of cancer, emphysema, reproductive disorders, and learning disabilities, numerous cases of death have also been documented as being linked to the poisons of PVC.
Although the current effects of PVC cannot be reversed, it is possible to stop any further damage before it is to late. By making an active effort to buy environmentally sound materials such as polypropylene rather than PVC, and by making others aware of the many dangers of dioxins, the long term effects on the earth and our children will begin to fade more and more with each generation. If we fail to break the addiction of careless consumption and disposal of hazardous products, then the amount of waste produced, and the impact on the health of our global population will eventually become unmanageable.
Doesn’t it cost more to buy green products?
Another reason why most people avoid going green is the common misconception that it costs more to buy products that are green than those that are not. Many don’t realize that although the initial cost might be somewhat higher than its unfriendly alternative, you are actually getting more for your money. In most cases, green products are higher in quality and last longer than the competition, giving them a lower cost per use, which means you get the best price in the long run. This is true in the case of UniKeep’s products, consisting of only 100% recyclable polypropylene, making them highly durable and allowing them to be reused again and again. Buying products that are reusable verses disposable is just one of the many changes you can make to reduce your waste, and go green!
What difference can I possibly make?
A lot in the long run! Acting green is a collective movement that can only progress with the help of each individual involved. So although it may seem to big to make a difference, just by acting green you are helping to influence others in their lifestyles and ultimately the growth of the green movement. Here are a few facts about how your green lifestyle can have a positive impact on our earth.
Conservation of non-renewable fossil fuels
Reduced consumption of energy (By recycling just one plastic bottle you can save enough energy to power a 60W light bulb for six hours!)
Reduced amounts of solid waste going to landfill.
Reduced emissions of carbon-dioxide (CO2), nitrogen-oxide (NO) and sulphur-dioxide (SO2).
Reduces the demand on our natural resources
Creates opportunities for new industries
So what if I don’t change?!
Still not convinced? Just take a look at where we are headed and how you are potentially contributing by not acting green.
It takes 20 years for a plastic bag to decompose and 250 years for a plastic cup to decompose. This is referring to a single bag and cup! Imagine how long it would take for a binder or any other heavy-duty item to decompose!
If we don’t recycle, we will eventually run out of space for all of our trash, what will we do with it then?
Our children take the largest hit of dioxin, PCBs, and other toxic chemicals as a result of the manufacturing, and disposal of PVC and many other unfriendly products
Dioxins given off by PVC have been linked to several cases of breast cancer
Men exposed to certain dioxins given off by PVC have a six-fold increase for being at risk for seminoma, one type of testicular cancer.
Go Green Now!
We can no longer afford to be ignorant about the damage we have done. Going green is the only way to pull out of the downward spiral our environment is currently in. The best way to get started is by doing a little research. Educate yourself and your community about what products are harmful to yourself and the environment. Know which alternative products are good to turn to when eliminating others from your lifestyle. Instead of using products that contain PVC or any other non-recyclable materials, use polypropylene instead. PP is a great alternative since it is both lightweight and durable, costing you less in the long run since it is higher quality, making it reusable. Becoming environmentally conscious can be as simple as recycling at home or in the office. Just by recycling you will reduce the strenuous demands on our natural resources, cut down on the amount of solid waste going to landfills, and even create opportunities for new industries. It is a lot easier to make the world a better place than anyone ever thought before, and the time to act is now. So go green and be a hero to our earth and all of us who share it!
