It is safe to say most people are concerned about the environment. There are things people do every day that have some effect on the health of our planet in general. Little doubt that many of us frown when we see litter scattered along the side of a road, or across a field, or floating in a nearby stream or lake. Many of the waste products we see are water bottles, grocery bags, styrofoam cups, and food wrappers.
Unbelievably, a large part of the pollution we see comes from things people throw away without concern. Once items are disposed of in a neglectful manner, they end up in our local water bodies and can harm our ecosystem.
What can we do to help?
- Become more responsible and refrain from littering.
- Discard waste and trash properly.
- Recycle to reduce waste.
- Purchase items that are eco-friendly.
- Purchase items that use less plastic.
- Use paper or reusable bags when grocery shopping.
- Use reusable bottles or containers for drinking water.
Did you know it takes plastic 450 years to eventually biodegrade? There is one catch. Most waste requires bacteria to decompose and breakdown into simple matter. Rather than bacteria to decompose plastics like many other simpler waste materials, plastic is broken down through a process called photodegradation. Photodegradation is caused by the ultraviolet radiation from the sun that breaks down plastic materials into smaller pieces over a prolonged period of time. There is one concern: many landfills consume most of our discarded plastics versus being recycled. Therefore, many of the plastic materials we throw away never see the light of day.
We should build a habit of properly disposing of waste. Making a concerted effort is a worthwhile endeavor that requires commitment and consistency over time. The benefits to the environment and community make it a valuable effort. Proper waste disposal helps protect the environment. By separating recyclables, we all can contribute to a cleaner and healthier environment for current and future generations.
KCI has quality certified stormwater professionals on staff. We are an environmental company based in Florida that specializes in Stormwater Compliance. We work with companies to assist with SWPPP and NPDES services. Ask us to help you with your stormwater compliance needs! Call us today on 888-346-7779.
