In this week’s post I will be sharing a few ways you can actively participate in the conservation of our oceans and the environment in general. Though we are limited due to the pandemic, there are various activities and lifestyle choices you can do from your own home or with a small group of family members and friends while following all Covid restrictions.
Go on a walk and pick up trash:
If you are ever bored one day and want to do something that gets you out of the house or your dorm, gather some friends, go on a walk, and pick up any trash you find around your community. Though Penn State is not located anywhere near the ocean, picking up trash and plastic near rivers or streams will help reduce pollution in water that eventually ends up in the ocean. I know everyone has very busy schedules, however, this can be a fun break from school work, you are getting some physical activity, and helping to keep the environment clean all at the same time! If you do choose to go with other people, make sure to wear masks and gloves while picking up the trash.
Use products that limit plastic production or that reuse plastic:
According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency, “Americans use more than 380 billion plastic bags and wraps each year”. You can help reduce the amount of plastic bags produced and used by investing in reusable bags. Here are two companies and organizations that sell reusable bags that are made from recycled materials:
4Ocean x ChicoBag Reusable Shopping Bag
Also, if you have the ability to buy clothing from sustainable brands, it is a great way to help reduce and reuse plastic. There are several brands that are starting to make their clothing out of used plastic and other trash pollutants in an effort to positively help the environment. Here is an article that lists a few eco-friendly brands which use recycled materials to make their clothes.
Vote:
Especially this year, I cannot express the importance of exercising your right to vote. In order to prevent increasing rates of global warming and environmental issues, it is necessary to elect someone who plans on addressing these issues in the most effective way possible. Make sure you inform yourself about the possible candidates you can vote for and take the time to do your research. Here is a resource you can use if you are in need of help with the voting process.
Utilize eco-friendly options when doing your laundry:
Detergents commonly used to do laundry pose many environmental issues, such as lowering the surface tension of water and adding excess chemicals to water sources. Also, microfibers are often flushed through the washing machine when clothes are washed. These microfibers are very small and are typically unable to be filtered out in waste treatment plants. In turn, these microfibers end up in water sources and act as a pollutant. You can help the environment and start making your own eco-friendly detergent, shown in the video below, or you can buy your detergent from sustainable brands, such as Tru Earth. If you want to reduce the amount of microfibers produced by your laundry, you can use microfiber catching tools, such as Cora Ball, which you simply throw into the washing machine with each load of laundry.
Video for how you can make your own detergent.
I hope these tips help you explore different ways you can actively participate in the protection of our environment!
Additional Sources:
I really like how you raise the pollution concern and encourage college students like us to contribute to resolve this by taking simple steps like picking up trash we notice when walking by. I also never considered laundry detergent being detrimental to the quality of water, but reading your post, I am definitely more inclined to choose safer enviornemtal detergent for laundry.
Thank you so much! I am not sure if you posted this because of my comment last week but the list of suggestions you posted includes things that tI never really thought of before, especially the tips for laundry. Honestly, I never do my own laundry, but I think I should make the effort to talk about it with my mom and go supply shopping with her.
I really liked your post this week. I have always been super interested in the ocean environment, and I have always been incredibly sad with how bad the pollution issue is. I have never even thought about how my detergent was effecting the ocean. Your post was really helpful and now I am going to try and be more aware of this issue. I am also super excited to look at some clothing brands that are making clothes out of used plastic.
I’m really glad you including voting as one of the options as how we can do our part to save the environment. I voted last week! Vote blue <3