Small Steps, Big Impact: Simple Actions to Protect Our Planet

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Celebrating Earth Day

Earth Day began in 1970, founded by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson as the world’s first major protest against pollution. By 1990, Earth Day had gone global, inspiring celebrations and action in countries around the world. Today, the Earth Day Network unites nearly 50,000 partners across 195 countries, mobilizing a billion people every year to protect our planet.

Ready to make a difference? Here are some simple ways you can help heal the Earth:

1. Reduce and Separate Waste

The world generates an astounding 2.12 billion tons of waste each day. While recycling helps, it’s not enough—reducing our daily waste at the source is essential.

How to do this:

• Choose products with less packaging.
  

• Sort your waste into four categories: organic, paper, metal/aluminum, and plastic. If your city lacks a dedicated recycling program, partner with a local waste pickers’ cooperative to collect recyclables—these groups especially value PET bottles, paper, and aluminum cans. Leave organic waste for regular municipal collection. By organizing your waste, you support both the environment and your community.
  

• Old batteries and cell phones should be taken to stores or designated disposal sites. They should never be thrown into the regular trash, as the compounds they contain contaminate the soil.
  

• Don't pour used cooking oil down the drain, as it causes blockages in plumbing and sewage systems. Store it in a suitable container. Use a sealed container to prevent spills and contamination. Research your local area for specific collection programs or drop-off locations for used cooking oil. 

2. Use Reusable Bags

Plastic bags account for up to 40% of all packaging thrown away and take up to 400 years to decompose. Therefore, when choosing a bag to carry your groceries, consumers should consider the durability of the material used in its construction. Furthermore, the more durable the bag, the better, as it will last longer before being thrown away.

How to do this:

• The ideal is to use cloth bags, cardboard boxes or shopping carts.
  

• Paper bags are pretty, but they're not ideal. They're not very durable: they tear easily and get damaged when wet.
  

• For those who go to the supermarket by car, the most ecological and cheapest alternative is to reuse cardboard boxes.
  

• For those who shop on foot or by bus, we recommend using eco-bags, reusable bags, or a shopping cart.
  

3. Reduce Gasoline Use

Cars emit a variety of polluting gases, including carbon dioxide, a gas that causes global warming. According to a study by the Akatu Institute, a person who commutes by car contributes the same amount to global warming in two days as a person who commuted by subway for an entire month.

How to do this:

• Prioritize the use of public transport.
  

• Organize a carpool system with friends and neighbors.
  

• For short distances, walk or cycle. It's good for your health!
  

• If you really need a car, the less powerful the engine, the better. 2.0-liter engines, for example, emit more CO2 than 1.0-liter ones. Gasoline engines also emit more than ethanol engines.

4. Save Water

Environmentalists argue that a radical change in consumption is needed for everyone to have access to clean water. Currently, approximately 800 million people worldwide still lack access to clean water. Considering population growth and economic development, this scenario will only worsen. This change in consumption means saving water.

How to do this:

• Take less time in the shower. If half the families in a city of 100,000 inhabitants reduced their daily shower time from 10 to 5 minutes, it would save enough water to supply the entire city for almost two months.
  

• Pay attention to small water leaks. It's estimated that a single leaked pipe can waste the equivalent of ten full tanker trucks' worth of water in one month.
  

• Brush your teeth with the water off.  
  

• Also, don't leave the tap running while soaping the dishes.  

5. Use Less Energy

It's not a case of living in the dark, but simple measures can reduce energy use and lower your electricity bill. Therefore, in addition to preventing global warming, you'll also save money.

How to do this:

• Turn off electronic devices using the power button, not just the remote control. Leaving them on standby can reduce the device's power consumption by up to 25%. If you're going to be away for longer periods, unplug the devices.
  

• Keep your refrigerator maintained and sealed so it doesn't have to work harder, and consequently use more energy, to cool its interior.
  

Source: IG Website