Blog 2. Part 3. In-class Blog Questions.
3. Oceans
A. What are your primary concerns about the oceans?
B. What do you plan do about it?
My largest concern is plastic pollution and the Great Pacific Garbage Patch (as well as the other 5 gyres of the world oceans.) Overfishing and chemical pollution are also up there. I feel, however, that I can do something about the plastics that float their way to the great gyres. Of course, I can reduce, reuse, recycle within my own household. But there is way more. I can also contribute by picking up garbage in my neighbourhood, on the beaches around my cottage area and anywhere else I see it. This garbage, especially plastics, if left untouched, will inevitably join the billions of tons of plastics absorbed by the planet each year. If we can somehow contain our need for it and concentrate our efforts to gathering and sequestering it into safer locations, it could mean a better future for all. (See the video above for more detailed information about this.)
I am also inspired by these Ted talks that offer concrete solutions for cleaning up this enormous problem.
I can also change the way I purchase my goods and bag my trash without plastic. Here is a great site with very doable tips.
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/managing-rubbish-without-plast-141821
1. Separate your garbage: One bin is not going to cut it! You'll need at least three containers to manage your waste without plastics. One for recyclables, one for non-recyclables and one for food scraps. If you break it down further - you'll need more bins.
2. The bins don't need to be bins. Most bins are designed to hold plastic bags and manage all rubbish types so they're designed making compromises. If you're not using plastics and separating your rubbish you can find any box or container that fits your space and function best (I used cardboard boxes until our most recent move). If you handle your rubbish well, the only container that needs a lid is your food scraps container.
3. Composting is not as scary as it sounds. I think it gets over complicated a lot. It's what's supposed to happen so give your scraps some dirt and get out of the way. Try it until it works for you.
4. Learn your recyclables from your non-recyclables. It's amazing what can be recycled from your kitchen and bathroom. Your recyclable bin should always have more in it than your non recyclable bin.
5. Be selective about what you buy. If you shop to avoid plastics in products and packaging your non recyclable bin will be the least used bin in the house. Plus you'll have so many glass containers and jars that you'll never need to buy storage containers again!
6. Rinse your garbage. Yogurt containers and milk cartons especially! You will regret it if you don't. There should be no food in your recyclable and non recyclable containers and all the rubbish should be clean and dry.
7. Buy meat cuts that don't have bones. Meat is hard to handle so save yourself the hassle and buy meat cuts without bones.
8. Keep your food scraps container clean. Keep it close by so you can use it, empty it and clean it regularly.
9. Start a garden. I know it's a tricky one, but if you possibly can, grow some of your own food. Even if it's tiny food in a tiny pot. It means buying less and you'll always have a use for your food scraps.
10. Your garbage can be cleaner and more manageable without plastic bags. I know! You'll never have to clean a dirty, stinky rubbish bin again. Who knew!?!
