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10 way to keep pollution down as we phase out of lockdown regulations

10 ways to keep pollution down as we phase out of lockdown regulations

For those who are familiar with the Feelgood Health brand, you will know how passionate we are about natural health and about the environment! Due to our planet-friendly philosophy, all of the products you find on our online store contain NO preservatives or added artificial chemicals, and are environmentally friendly. 

In line with our eco-friendly approach, we have to mention that while we are exceptionally relieved for the COVID-19 lockdown regulations being eased out, we would like to encourage everyone to get back out there consciously. We're all eager to integrate ourselves back into dining out, meeting up with friends, travelling interprovincially and internationally, but please please please remember this one thing: during the lockdown, global pollution went down drastically! 

It was encouraging and wonderful to hear worldwide reports of pollution drastically reducing, but as lockdown regulations are phasing out and people are getting back out there, pollution is once again increasing. While increased pollution is somewhat expected as regulations phase out, there are various things everyone can do to help preserve our beautiful planet and make sure pollution does not reach the worrying level that it was at before.

Support local

Locally-manufactured items do not have to be shipped across the country or world, thus reducing the amount of pollution needed in order to get them to you. Shopping from small, local businesses also contributes to supporting your community as opposed to encouraging large corporations which are often large contributors to factory emissions and a high carbon footprint! Furthermore, locally-bought items are often unique and not mass-produced.

Local businesses are currently in desperate need of support and by shopping consciously, we can avoid the pollution associated with buying imported products. Besides, South Africa has AMAZING products!

Meatless Mondays

Did you know that eating less meat could help save the planet? Eating less meat can reduce your carbon footprint as it is estimated that the meat industry generates approximately 20% of man-made greenhouse gas emissions. It will also help to save water because livestock need huge quantities to survive.

Cutting back your meat intake can also minimise chronic illnesses such as heart disease, diabetes, obesity and even cancer. Go meatless once a week by joining in the worldwide Meatless Monday campaign and do your bit for your health and the planet. You could also go vegetarian or vegan altogether – Mother Earth will thank you!

Plant a veggie garden

Start planting a veggie or herb garden to grow your fresh produce. There is nothing more local than your own back garden! As supermarket prices continue to soar, you will be cultivating your own produce at a fraction of the price and reducing the use of fossil fuels used to transport produce. 

Get into gardening, there’s nothing better than eating fresh organic veggies that you have grown with your hands! If you don't have the garden space, you can also sprout your own seeds in your kitchen! Browse our range of non-GMO, organic seeds >

Tip: While bee populations are dying (which poses a serious threat to all species on planet earth), you can turn your garden into a bee-friendly garden. The more flowers you have, the more you'll attract bees. With more bees buzzing around, more pollination and honey-making will take place, and healthy bee colonies are able to thrive! Even a flowering pot plant on your balcony will help!

Shop online

Online shopping makes it easy for customers to browse and order almost any product, minus the travelling and carbon emissions related to visiting malls and physical shops. Studies show that physical shopping costs 24 times MORE carbon emissions than online shopping, on a worldwide scale! Boost your ethical shopping by not only shopping online, but making sure to purchase local, eco-friendly products!

P.S. Feelgood Health provides our worldwide customers with secure online shopping, door-to-door delivery, and FREE South African shipping for orders of R399 and above! 

Refuse the straw

Almost every restaurant you go to, a straw will be brought to your table along with drinks. This is an example of extreme waste being generated for minimal convenience. While straws may seem like a 'normal' part of dining out, the impact that straws have on wildlife and the ocean is not just unnecessary but extremely detrimental to ecosystems for years to come.

The world is now struggling to recover from its plastic pollution, one of the major contributors being plastic straws. These single use products ends up polluting various ecosystems and killing off far too many animals, all for a 'convenient' sip that can occur completely without having to ever use a plastic straw!

Many restaurants are now ditching plastic straws and instead offering paper straws. You can also purchase bamboo straws or metal straws which last a long time and are easy to take with you to restaurants. If you don't have reusable straws at hand, simply refuse the single use straws being offered to you.

Ditch single use plastic 

Avoiding the use of single use plastic straws, plastic bags and plastic bottles is an effective yet simple way to cut the waste. Single use plastic never disappears but breaks down into smaller and smaller pieces (micro-plastic) which are almost impossible to get rid of, and causes significant ecological issues. These plastics choke animals and release toxic chemicals into various ecosystems..

Single use plastic is totally avoidable. There are now reusable plastics being brought into the markets, as well as recyclable alternatives. An increasing number of businesses have also phased out plastic products and have replaced them with paper equivalents which are biodegradable and eco-friendly.

We can look up to countries like Kenya and Rwanda in this regard. They have banned single use plastics in protected areas, and imposed restrictions on the manufacture, importation, and use of plastic bags used both commercially and in households. Let's hope that the rest of the world follows suit!

Reduce reuse recycle

It's no secret that humans are riddled with over-consuming habits. At a rapid rate, the human population steadily increases its contribution to pollution, waste, high carbon footprint and total disregard for our precious Mother Earth. The amount of waste humans produce annually is pretty shocking, making it important to note that there are various ways we can preserve the planet.

Good waste management follows the 3 Rs: reduce, reuse, recycle. Following the 3 Rs ensures that waste is managed in a way that will minimise its harmful impact on the planet. There are many products that can be repurposed through recycling and reusing. This will help to reduce the amount of waste  which often ends up in landfills and oceans. 

Save plastic and glass containers and reuse them for storing food, detergents, jewellery, pens, pencils or any other odds and ends. Collect items such as paper, glass or cardboard that can be recycled. Check where your local recycling centre is in your community to drop off items or hire a recycling service to collect your materials.

Recycle

It’s not so difficult to recycle and every little bit helps! If your municipality does not assist, start by separating your waste into glass, tin, paper and plastic and delivering this to your nearest recycling depot. Not only does this help to reduce pollution and stress on the landfills, but is also helps to generate income for those who do the recycling. If you have lots of paper, you can also make some money for yourself by taking it to a paper recycling plant.

Walk instead of drive 

We are all guilty of jumping into the car for short trips, but think before you do so! If you walk to the shops or to a nearby restaurant instead of driving, you will cut out on your carbon footprint. It will be good exercise for you too!

Be conscious 

Doing your bit to cut down on planetary pollution does not have to be difficult. Simply be conscious and aware and make choices wherever you can. Do you need that plastic shopping bag or can you use your own? Should you buy loose fruit and veg (and weigh them in non-plastic bags) or fresh produce packaged in unnecessary plastic and Styrofoam? Should you buy toothpaste in a tube or in a glass jar? 

Remember that we are the guardians of the earth and we CAN make a difference!

If you have any question, please contact us or leave a comment below for FREE health advice. We always love hearing from you!

Saskia Michele holistic health blog

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