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Tag: environmentally conscious
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The Dirty Details on Paper Towels
Single use paper towels and products are surely convenient, but they come at a heavy cost — to our environment and to our pocketbooks.
Did you know that every day more than 51,000 trees are cut down to support North America’s paper towel habit? Or that the paper industry in general consumes more water than any other single industry on Earth?
REASONS TO PASS ON PAPER
- To make one ton of paper towels 17 trees and 20,000 gallons of water are polluted.
- Globally, discarded paper towels result in 254 million tons of paper towel trash every year.
- If just 50% of the U.S. population uses 3 paper napkins a day, that totals 450,000,000 napkins for 1 day—or more than 164 billion per year.
- If every household in the U.S. used just one less 70-sheet roll of paper towels, that would save 544,000 trees each year.
- Worldwide the pulp and paper industry is the fifth largest consumer of energy, accounting for 4% of all the world’s energy use.
- Over 60% of the roughly 17 billion cubic feet of timber harvested worldwide each year is used for paper and pulp.
- The paper industry uses more water to produce a ton of product than any other industry.
- Discarded paper is a major component of many landfill sites, accounting for about 35% by weight of municipal solid waste.
- Pulp and paper is the third largest industrial polluter to air, water and land in both Canada and the United States, and releases well over 100 million kg of toxic pollution each year.
Facts and figures like these help highlight the costs of our dependence on a product that’s used once and then tossed. It’s alarming, but what can we do? After all, we’re just one person. But I suspect this may be exactly the kind of attitude that makes a bad problem worse. The kind of mindset that says, “Eh, no matter what I do or don’t do, it’s not going to have an impact. After all, I’m just one person.”
As it turns out, there’s a lot we can do to help conserve resources like trees and water, especially when we’re talking about paper towel and napkin usage. When many of us commit to a few small, conscious choices, it’s amazing the difference we can make. And it doesn’t have to be particularly hard or inconvenient!
GOOD PRACTICES
Teach your kids to minimize usage and to limit to one paper towel, whether at home or in public.
Did you know that used paper towels, though hard to recycle, can be composted? Just make sure they are the unbleached, chlorine-free variety and that they haven’t been contaminated with any chemicals that could disrupt your compost.
Of course, using towels and tissues made from recycled paper also helps conserve precious resources.
BETTER PRACTICES
Because electric hand dryers save trees and create less waste than paper towels, you may have wondered whether they were more Earth-friendly than using a paper towel. Well, you guessed right: there’s evidence that they are at least a little more environmentally friendly about 95% of the time. So when your choice is between paper or air to dry your hands, air is almost always the most Earth-friendly choice.
THE BEST PRACTICE
The best choice of all for today’s conscious consumers are towels and napkins made from high-quality, quick-drying microfiber. A good-quality microfiber is much more Earth-friendly than paper, and even offers a number of benefits over reusable cloth towels and napkins:
- It’s more absorbent.
- It dries more quickly.
- It’s extremely soft on the skin.
- It’s durable and resists pilling.
Additionally, a family of four can easily spend $650 – $1,000 on paper towels over the course of five years! Reusable towels and napkins are an easy zero waste kitchen swap to make that will save you from having to buy package after package of the single-use paper products.
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Grease Hero is Now on Faire
We are excited to share that Grease Hero is now on Faire. It’s an online wholesale marketplace for small independent stores across the United States, Canada, Europe and beyond to connect with entrepreneurs. Now more than ever, consumers are choosing to support local shops over big-box stores.
What is Faire?
“Our mission is to empower independent entrepreneurs to chase their dreams. By simplifying the wholesale buying process and bringing together independent brands and retailers from around the world, we strive to level the playing field for small businesses everywhere.”
There are millions of thriving small businesses in North America and Europe alone, who collectively represent a $2T market. With our global community and the power of technology, Faire is helping fuel the growth of entrepreneurs everywhere.
Interested in becoming a Grease Hero vendor? Visit us on Faire: https://greasehero.faire.com
About Grease Hero
Grease Hero is a company focused on keeping cooking fats, oils and grease from the environment. At our core, we are on an environmental mission to protect our ocean and fresh water supplies from pollution. Our company is headquartered in Hawaii, and we understand the importance of protecting and taking care of our natural resources for us and generations to come.
We have to main products, Grease Hero drain guards and Grease Hero PLUS.
Grease Hero Drain Guards: Grease Hero drain guards are designed to be placed into the top of your kitchen sink drain, so you can quickly and easily pour the used cooking fats, oils and grease into it and then promptly dispose of the entire drain guard. It’s designed with recyclable materials to absorb the oil/grease waste and can be thrown out with your regular garbage or upcycled at your city’s recycling facility. See Grease Hero in action on our YouTube channel.
Grease Hero PLUS: Grease Hero PLUS is a self-contained storage system for our drain guards in which you can securely store your Grease Hero drain guard until it is ready to be tossed out with your trash or recycled. With a lid that tightly attaches to the base, you do not have to worry about any lingering odors in your kitchen. Grease Hero PLUS is made from recycled materials and is dishwasher safe.
We are thrilled to have Grease Hero on Faire and look forward to connecting with more independent shops worldwide.
Have additional wholesale questions for us? Please send us an email at info@greasehero.com.
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Join our mission to save the environment. We aim to promote environmental, social and economic benefit, all while prioritizing the environment over our product life cycles… from the initial manufacture using recycled materials until final disposal.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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15 Sustainable New Year’s Resolutions
New year, fresh start, sustainable resolutions.
New Year’s resolutions don’t have to be hard, in fact some of the easiest resolutions could have the largest impact on the health of our planet. As you know, we are huge proponents of sustainability and living a more eco conscious lifestyle; so, if you are still pondering the type of goal you want to set for yourself this year, below are a few eco friendly suggestions.
Sustainable Resolutions
- Eliminate plastic bottle purchases by carrying your own reusable water bottle.
- Ditch paper coffee cups by keeping your own reusable mug on hand.
- Bring reusable bags when you shop.
- Hang your laundry to dry.
- Cut back on paper waste.
- Reusable containers for meals and snacks.
- Use environmentally friendly cleaning products in your home.
- Opt for reusable or recycled paper products (paper towels, toilet paper, napkins etc.)
- Use reusable/rechargeable batteries.
- Upcycle or donate clothes and household items that you no longer need.
- Start a garden.
- Walk or bike, instead of driving, when possible.
- Participate in a neighborhood or beach cleanup. Can’t find one? Start your own!
- Cut down on your electricity usage by turning off lights when you aren’t in the room.
- Never rinse used cooking fats, oils, and grease down the sink.
Kitchen Disposal Practices Matter
Our Grease Hero drain guards were designed to help keep pollutants out of local environments and waterways. When cooking fats, oils and grease are rinsed down the kitchen sink drain they ultimately clog your home’s plumbing, contribute to fatbergs in city sewers and lead to dangerous sewer overflows.
Grease Hero is designed to be placed into the top of your kitchen sink drain, so you can quickly and easily pour used cooking fats, oils and grease into it and then promptly dispose of it. It’s designed with recyclable materials to absorb the oil and grease waste and can be thrown out with your regular garbage. See Grease Hero in action on our YouTube channel. This one easy change in your kitchen cleaning routine will save you money from costly plumbing repairs, the city from expensive sewer damage, and our environment from deadly contamination.
Turn Your Good Intentions into Good Habits
Having a positive impact on the health of our planet doesn’t have to be overly time consuming, expensive, or challenging. By committing to small acts done regularly, you will have a positive impact on this beautiful place we call home.
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Join our mission to save the environment. We aim to promote environmental, social and economic benefit, all while prioritizing the environment over our product life cycles… from the initial manufacture using recycled materials until final disposal.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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Eco Friendly Holiday Gift Guide
The holiday season is upon us and it’s a time to come together while celebrating family and friends. We know the fury and whirlwind that can arise while shopping for the perfect gift. In order to alleviate some of the shopping stress, we have put together an eco friendly holiday gift guide to help spark an idea for the environmentalist in your life.
Reusable Items.
Think water bottles, coffee cups, shopping bags, produce bags and straws. Everyday items that can be cleaned and used repeatedly. With so many companies focusing on sustainability, there is a range of reusable items to choose from. Personalize this gift by stuffing it full of their favorite treats or gift cards.
Countertop Compost Container.
We have seen a steady rise in compost equipment for your kitchen. There are chic, modern, and minimalist compost bins on the market today that don’t take up much space and are gorgeous to look at. A compost bin helps minimize the amount of trash you send to the landfill.
Solar-Powered Phone Charger.
A solar-powered phone charger is a wonderful gift for someone that loves to camp and explore the great outdoors. Some chargers even come equipped with a flashlight and compass as well.
Soy Candles.
There are a number of eco conscious candle companies out there that really focus on sustainable practices and eco friendly ingredients. Look for candles that have recyclable glass jars, use essential oils and are made from non-toxic soy wax.
Grease Hero Drain Guards.
For your friends and family that love to cook. Grease Hero drain guards are made of recycled materials and keep harmful contaminants from reaching waterways and the environment. With a Grease Hero drain guard you simply pour in the used cooking fats, oils and grease directly from your pan instead of rinsing them down the sink. This drain guard helps to minimize plumbing issues at home while decreasing the likelihood of a sewer overflow from a clogged city sewer line.
Sustainability is always the best holiday gift. When it comes to wrapping paper, bows and cards, opt for recycled materials wherever possible to help reduce holiday waste. We hope that this eco friendly holiday gift guide gave you shopping inspiration for those nearest and dearest to you.
Cheers to a wonderful holiday season!
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Join our mission to save the environment. We aim to promote environmental, social and economic benefit, all while prioritizing the environment over our product life cycles… from the initial manufacture using recycled materials until final disposal.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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Earth Day 2021 | Restore Our Earth
Earth Day 2021 is right around the corner, April 22nd, and this year the focus is “Restore Our Earth”. In light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and social distancing guidelines, many Earth Day activities are being held virtually. Virtual events, such as environmental lectures and films, will take place on Earth Day. There are events taking place two days prior, on April 20th & 21st which ends in the culmination of the official Earth Day on Thursday, April 22nd. To see a list of official events, visit earthday.org.
These virtual Earth Day activities bring awareness to the environmental destruction taking place globally and provide valuable insight as to what needs to be done. If you are looking for ways to start living a more eco friendly lifestyle starting today, below is a list to help get you started.
Make an Impact on Earth Day 2021 & Every Day of the Year
Responsibly dispose of all fats, oils and grease after cooking a meal. Cooking grease and oil in your plumbing and city sewer lines leads to toxic sewer overflows and the buildup of fatbergs. While many of us are still cooking from home quite a bit right now, we need to be especially cognizant of how we dispose of all cooking oil and grease.
Pickup waste around your neighborhood, park or beach. While you are out for a stroll, bring a bag with you and pickup any trash you come across. This is a great way to clean up your neighborhood while also teaching young children about the environmental problems of littering.
Shop for non-toxic cleaning products. Your cleaning products do not have to be toxic to clean your home. The next time you go to grab a bathroom cleaner, make the decision to purchase a non-toxic alternative.
Plant a tree or a garden. If you have a yard and the space to do it, plant a tree. Trees are the lungs of our planet and help with air quality and pollinators (bees). If you don’t have the space for a tree, an urban garden is another way you can work to help pollinators in your area.
Work from home if possible. With working from home becoming mainstream, it has greatly reduced noise and air pollution around city centers.
Ditch the single-use disposables for good. Opt for reusable straws, refillable water bottles and reusable bags instead of the one-time use alternatives that end up in landfills and our ocean.
Recycle and upcycle household items. Recycle paper, plastic and glass. If it can’t be recycled, try to upcycle it and turn it into something else in your home.
Change your paper bills to online billing. You’ll be saving trees and the fuel it takes to deliver your bills by mail.
Purchase energy efficient appliances. As your appliances begin to wear out and you need to purchase new ones, look for ones that are energy efficient to help conserve energy in your home.
Looking for additional ideas on how you can help our planet this Earth Day? Head to the “Tips” area of the Earth Day Network website for 51 Ways to Restore Our Earth.
Please join our mission to protect the environment. Each time you opt for a Grease Hero drain guard, instead of rinsing cooking oil and grease down the drain, you are helping protect our clean water supplies and oceans from pollution.
Living an eco friendly and sustainable lifestyle is easier than you might think. Simple changes to your daily routine can have profound impacts on the environment. There is no “Planet B”, so lets work together to restore the one we have on Earth Day 2021 and every day throughout the year.
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Join our mission to save the environment. We aim to promote environmental, social and economic benefit, all while prioritizing the environment over our product life cycles… from the initial manufacture using recycled materials until final disposal.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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2021 The Year of Environmental Action
Let’s make 2021 the year of environmental action.
Having a positive impact on the environment doesn’t have to be time consuming or costly. Small actions in your everyday life can, and will, make a big difference on the health of our planet. If we can all commit to making small changes, we do have the ability to make a lasting positive impact for generations to come.
Below are a few ideas on how you can get started:
- Opt for Reusable Bags (both grocery and storage bags)
- Reuse and Recycle
- Use Reusable Beverage Cups
- Save Electricity
- Cut Down on Your Printing
- Conserve Water
- Carpool When Possible
- Plant Pollinator Friendly Plants
- Volunteer with a Wildlife or Environmental Organization
- Shop Virtually (bundle items together for fewer shipment and boxes)
- Compost to Reduce Food Waste
- Upcycle Items
- Shop Locally
- Purchase Recycled Paper Products (paper towels, tissues, toilet paper)
- Never Rinse Cooking Fats, Oils and Grease Down the Sink
As a company focused on helping the environment by encouraging people to properly dispose of cooking fats, oils and grease we want to take a moment to expand upon #15 on the list.
Environmental Action Starts at Home
Our Grease Hero drain guards were designed to help keep pollutants out of local environments and waterways. When cooking fats, oils and grease are rinsed down the kitchen sink drain they ultimately clog your home’s plumbing, contribute to fatbergs in city sewers and lead to dangerous sewer overflows.
Grease Hero is designed to be placed into the top of your kitchen sink drain, so you can quickly and easily pour used cooking fats, oils and grease into it and then promptly dispose of it. It’s designed with recyclable materials to absorb the oil and grease waste and can be thrown out with your regular garbage. See Grease Hero in action on our YouTube channel. This one easy change in your kitchen cleaning routine will save you money from costly plumbing repairs, the city from expensive sewer damage, and our environment from deadly contamination.
The real key to a more sustainable lifestyle is to turn your good intentions into good habits. Let’s work hard to make 2021 the year we all take environmental action in our lives.
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Join our mission to save the environment. We aim to promote environmental, social and economic benefit, all while prioritizing the environment over our product life cycles… from the initial manufacture using recycled materials until final disposal.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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Unblocktober | Protecting Our Sewers and Seas
October is the beginning of Unblocktober, a month dedicated to education and action when it comes to protecting our sewers and seas. It is an initiative started by Lanes Group that has caught on with people and organizations around the globe. The month of October is dedicated to paying attention to your current disposal habits and to find places where you can make a change that has a positive impact on the environment.
The Grease Hero drain guard was developed to help people properly dispose of cooking fats, oils and grease (FOG) after making a meal; however, protecting the ocean and global environment has always been the mission.
What exactly is Unblocktober?
Unblocktober is the world’s first month-long campaign and awareness month to improve the health of our drains, sewers, watercourses and seas.
We have spent decades consistently pouring dangerous liquids and items into our drains, without worrying about the consequences.
This has led to the creation of fatbergs – enormous masses of congealed fat, oil, grease, wet wipes, period care products, cotton buds, condoms, nappies, bandages and much more – which block drains and sewers, causing them to work less effectively than they should.
While 77% of the population know what a fatberg is and 64% say they are ‘very aware’ of what should and shouldn’t go down their drains, 48% willingly continue to put fatberg-forming substances into our sewers.
(Lanes for Drains)
Grease Hero Proudly Supports Unblocktober
Grease Hero is proud to support Unblocktober’s mission to save our sewers and seas. We understand the environmental dangers of rinsing FOG down the kitchen sink and flushing items that shouldn’t be and applaud Unblocktober as they work to educate the public on these global issues.
We know that by partnering together to help spread the word about proper and responsible disposal of common household items, we can have a positive impact on the health of our ocean.
Read more about our partnership with Unblocktober over on their blog (link).
Want to get involved with Unblocktober? Sign up on the Unblocktober website.
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Join our mission to save the environment. We aim to promote environmental, social and economic benefit, all while prioritizing the environment over our product life cycles… from the initial manufacture using recycled materials until final disposal.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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Eco Friendly Living Starts at Home
For years now there has been a push towards eco friendly living; however, the recent global pandemic has really caused people to re-evaluate their relationship with nature and what sustainable truly means. Global warming, rapid animal extinction, rising sea levels and increased pollution have been major environmental issues over the last two decades—and they are all intertwined and connected. Man-made emissions of CO2 have altered our planet in real and tangible ways. “Since the Industrial Revolution began in about 1750, CO2 levels have risen more than 30%. The concentration of CO2 in the atmosphere is higher than at any time in at least 800,000 years. Other greenhouse gases such as methane and nitrous oxide are also released through human activities but they are less abundant than carbon dioxide.” (BBC News)
To Live Sustainably, Start with Small Changes
The rapid increase in environmental issues has led many to think of how they can alter their own lives towards more eco friendly living. While some people are taking more extreme measures, and going completely zero waste, others are looking for simple ways to live sustainably.
The key to living a sustainable lifestyle is to turn your good intentions into good habits.
Start with small changes and make them a part of your everyday life. Whether it’s switching to reusable water bottles, taking public transportation more frequently or starting a compost bin—whatever it is that you choose, make sure it’s something that fits into your life and that you can continue to do on a long-term basis.
Eco Friendly Living at Home
We have all been spending a lot more time at home this year, and it has led us to assess what home means to us. The best place to start making and implementing sustainable living practices is right at home. Within those walls where we raise our families, cook homemade meals, relax and laugh together—this is where changing your daily habits begins.
Ways to live green at home:
- Opt for eco friendly packaging on items. Skip the plastic and look for items in cardboard or paper pulp, which is easily recycled.
- Buy seasonal and local food at a farmer’s market. If you buy what is grown near you, you help cut down on food transportation pollution.
- Upcycle what you can. Upcycling is transforming one item into something else—turn that empty glass jar into a homemade candle or used cooking oil into biodiesel.
- Turn the lights off when you leave a room. This is a good habit to get into and it will also save you money on your monthly electric bill.
- Ditch the paper towels, plastic straws & plastic bags. There are great sustainable options available for all of these common household items.
- Choose home cleaners that are made from natural ingredients. You can even simplify this further and make your own.
- Properly dispose of your used cooking oil and grease. Keeping these harmful contaminants out of your kitchen sink drain means that you are dramatically reducing your chance of a sewer overflow into your home or neighborhood.
Grease Hero Drain Guards for Your Kitchen
Grease Hero is designed to be placed into the top of your kitchen sink drain, so you can quickly and easily pour used cooking fats, oils and grease into it and then promptly dispose of it. It’s designed with recyclable materials to absorb the oil and grease waste and can be thrown out with your regular garbage. See Grease Hero in action on our YouTube channel. This one easy change in your kitchen cleaning routine will save you money from costly plumbing repairs, the city from expensive sewer damage, and our environment from deadly contamination.
Eco friendly living doesn’t have to be hard or mean that you need to take drastic measures. Small changes in your daily habits really add up, and every little bit we can do to help our planet is what counts.
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Join our mission to save the environment. We aim to promote environmental, social and economic benefit, all while prioritizing the environment over our product life cycles… from the initial manufacture using recycled materials until final disposal.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.
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The Impact of COVID-19 on the Environment
The impact of COVID-19 can be felt in all facets of our world. COVID-19 has changed our entire planet in a span of months, however, not all of these changes have been negative. When countries started to lockdown businesses and restrict travel, our planet saw a major decrease in pollution entering our air and ocean—and almost immediately our environment started to heal.
“Worldwide spread of COVID-19 in a quite short time has brought a dramatic decrease in industrial activities, road traffic and tourism. Restricted human interaction with nature during this crisis time has appeared as a blessing for nature and environment. Reports from all over the world are indicating that after the outbreak of COVID-19, environmental conditions including air quality and water quality in rivers are improving and wildlife is blooming.” (US National Library of Medicine National Institutes of Health)
Water Quality is Improving
Beaches, lakes, and rivers have experienced a dramatic increase in water visibility and marine life. The absence of industrial activities and a dramatic decrease in the number of visitors has allowed our ocean and other open waters to recover from decades of overuse and pollution. Fish populations are increasing, and once murky waters are now clear.
“The lack of tourists, as a result of the social distancing measures due to the new Coronavirus pandemic, has caused a notable change in the appearance of many beaches in the world. For example, beaches like those of Acapulco (Mexico), Barcelona (Spain), or Salinas (Ecuador) now look cleaner and with crystal clear waters.” (Science Direct)
Air Quality is Improving
With restricted travel, quarantine orders and factory shutdowns, air pollution and environmental noise has decreased to unprecedented levels. Factories, transport, vehicles and aviation have all ground to a halt—carbon emissions have decreased and the quality of air has seen an improvement.
“Air quality is essential for people’s health; however, 91% of the world population lives in places where poor air quality exceeds the permissible limits (WHO, 2016). The consequences of air quality degradation are manifested in a significant percentage of global mortality each year (Zhang et al., 2017). In this regard, the 2016 World Health Organization (WHO) report indicates that air pollution contributes to almost 8% of total deaths in the world; the most affected countries being those found in Africa, Asia and part of Europe (WHO, 2016).” (Science Direct)
In China alone, all of these air quality improvements generated human health benefits that have outnumbered confirmed SARS-CoV2 deaths thus far (Chen et al., 2020).
Negative Environmental Impacts of COVID-19
Improper PPE disposal, fatbergs and increase waste are ongoing environmental concerns during the pandemic.
While our air, water and noise levels are improving, plastic pollution and disposable waste are increasing during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Disposable face masks and plastic gloves are littering cities. While PPE measures can protect you from COVID-19, it is imperative that they are disposed of properly.
Stay-at-home orders mean that people are staying home and buying more items online, such as household items and groceries, which means an increase in packaging materials being disposed of. This waste is not always disposed of properly and instead makes its way into landfills. Cities have also put recycling programs on hold during the pandemic due to concerns about spreading COVID-19 in the recycling facilities.
Fatbergs are also growing in cities around the world due to the toilet paper shortage experienced early-on in the COVID-19 pandemic and people cooking at home more. Households have been flushing items, such as wet wipes, that do not break down in sewers, but instead congeal with cooking oil and grease to cause sewer pipe blockages that are as hard as concrete. These fatbergs lead to sewer overflows into the environment. While the impact of COVID-19 has been positive for air and water quality, we still have a way to go on our own disposal behaviors.
The environment can heal, if we help it.
COVID-19 has brought a fearful devastating scourge for human beings, but it has emerged as a blessing for natural environment providing it a ‘recovery time’. We have seen that the environmental degradation caused by humans is not totally irreversible. In a period of just 1–2 months, ‘recovery of nature’ is being witnessed by everyone. This is a signal for us to understand and react. Government and Policy makers should take necessary steps so that this healing process does not become a temporary thing. (Science Direct)
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Join our mission to save the environment. We aim to promote environmental, social and economic benefit, all while prioritizing the environment over our product life cycles… from the initial manufacture using recycled materials until final disposal.
Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn and YouTube.