Those little plastic scrubbers found in so many beauty products-facial scrubs, toothpaste, body washes-might look harmless, but their tiny size allows them to slip through water-treatment plants. If you’re nervous about the quality of your local tap water, look for a model with a built-in filter. Carry a reusable bottle in your bag, and you’ll never be caught having to resort to a Poland Spring or Evian again. Stop buying water.Įach year, close to 20 billion plastic bottles are tossed in the trash. It only takes a few times of bringing your own bags to the store, silverware to the office, or travel mug to Starbucks before it becomes habit. Take note of how often you rely on these products and replace them with reusable versions. Ninety percent of the plastic items in our daily lives are used once and then chucked: grocery bags, plastic wrap, disposable cutlery, straws, coffee-cup lids.
The good news? There are many small ways you can have a big impact. So the best thing we can do to protect our waterways is try to keep as much plastic as possible out of the waste stream in the first place. Around 80 percent of marine litter actually originates on land-either swept in from the coastline or carried to rivers from the streets during heavy rain via storm drains and sewer overflows. And we're not just talking about people dumping their garbage overboard. Plastic, of course, is uniquely problematic because it’s nonbiodegradable and therefore sticks around for a lot longer (like up to 1,000 years longer) than other forms of trash. Animals can get tangled up in this trash or ingest it-either because they mistake it as prey or because the plastic has been broken down into tiny particles by seawater. Used motor oil can also be used to coat wooden posts for building, to prevent them from rotting in the ground, and can also be burned as heating oil in some heaters.This constant barrage (the equivalent of 136 billion milk jugs each year, estimates a study published in the journal Science) poses a serious danger to marine life. Used oil can sometimes be recycled by auto servicing stations. Never pour oil onto the ground or into waterways. Flatten the containers, wrap them in newspaper, put them in plastic bags, and put them in sanitary landfills or sealed containers. Once all the solvent is used, punch holes in the containers so they cannot be reused. Store solvents in closed containers in a cool place, so they will not cause a fire. Solvents (degreasers, turpentine, paint removers). Latex paint is less toxic than other paints, but needs the same disposal methods as other paint. Once all the paint is used, flatten paint containers, wrap them in newspaper, put them in plastic bags, and bury them in a sanitary landfill. These common household products create harmful waste if they are not handled with care and gotten rid of safely. Do not put toxic materials down latrines, toilets, drains, drainage channels, in waterways, or onto the ground.Ĭheck with local health authorities and resource recovery centers to learn the best ways to get rid of toxic wastes in your area.
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