Soil as the Foundation of a Healthy Earth

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A special day, a day to reflect on how critical and important the soil is for everyone on the planet. Soil is a life-giving and a life-sustaining component of all our environmental ecosystems. Yet most people look at soil with disgust, thinking it is just dirt, acting as if it’s the dirtiest component of the natural world.  I beg to differ and will set out information to inform our readers of just how crucial soil is to our very existence.

importance of soil

Soil is so critical in our survival. It controls the food security of the planet. It ensures the sustainability of the earth. All food sources begin in our soil. Therefore, it is critical that humans protect, care and improve soil ecosystems. First, there is the need to raise awareness of just how critical soil is to our existence and our total dependence on the soil. Then there is an urgent need to manage the soil and improve the quality of soil. Finally, there is the need to protect the soil from being inundated and buried beneath urban sprawl and expansion.

The FAO-UN tagline for 2022 is “Soil: where food begins”. That sums up why we need to understand the importance of soil. It is the motivation for managing and protecting the soil.

There are 18 nutrients, both macro- and micro-nutrients essential for a healthy soil to ensure robust, healthy plant growth, and subsequently healthy human beings.  But soil degradation leads to a loss of these macro- and micro- nutrients. The result is that nutrient-deficient soil produces nutrient-deficient plants which results in nutrient-deficient human beings. That is you and me. At present, the UN estimates that 2 billion people suffer from micro-deficient nutrition.

food security in lebanon

The photosynthesis cycle requires atmospheric carbon, oxygen and hydrogen for the process of photosynthesis to occur within the plants. But within the soil, there is also need for significant quantities of the macro-nutrients: nitrogen, potassium and phosphorous, along with carbon. These nutrients are key for all plant production. In addition, there are also micro-nutrients required but in much lower quantities that vary depending on the crops being grown. These micronutrients include boron, calcium, chlorine and copper, iron, magnesium, molybdenum and manganese, sodium, silicon and sulfur and lastly zinc.

This is quite an array of chemical elements. The environment has to promote plant growth. This is achieved through photosynthesis which in turns,  enable plant growth. This process involves the metabolism of carbohydrates and the movement of starches. The photosynthates formed in the leaves then need to move to fruiting portions of the plant and to the reproductive organs.

As well as promoting plant growth above the ground, the plant has to establish strong and robust root formation and growth. This can also include the formation of nitrogen-fixing nodules on the root infrastructure of legumes. In addition, the plant root structure stimulates soil microbial activity. All the while, the plant develops the ability to fight disease, as well as build resistance to disease.

Enzyme activities are critical in the growth processes. They require nutrients to achieve this functionality. Such nutrients such as magnesium aid the plant in using iron and potassium. Sulfur and molybdenum are also responsible for various enzyme activity. Magnesium increases the availability of phosphorous and calcium.  In addition, the plant needs to keep respiration at the lowest possible levels for sustained growth while increasing water-use efficiency so as to combat drier periods.

The actual process of fruit formation is critical. The state of maturity needs to be reached efficiently and quickly, while achieving good quality of flesh and flavor, and adequate juice quantities. Accompanying all this is seed formation of good quality and number for future plant production.

lebanon-food-security

The nutritious foods then pass to the human and complete the various health pathways within the human body to ensure fit and healthy persons.

The question is what can we do to ensure healthy soils are producing healthy food products? There are a number of steps, we as caretakers of the natural environment can act upon. First and foremost, we need to revert to a traditional farming technique of crop rotation while ensuring that we reduce all potential forms of soil erosion. The agricultural industry needs to increase and maintain the organic content of the soils while reducing the dependence on artificial fertilizers.

The aggressive practice of deep tillage of soils is also harmful. Farming practice needs to move towards a shallower tillage approach, and also strive to keep soils under various forms of coverage so that wind erosion is minimised. The final step is to protect agricultural lands from being absorbed into urban development. Now that you understand just how complex and critical the soil ecosystem is, you can now start to take action to protect the soils while they carry out such essential work on our planet.

Garbage Woes in Cairo

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Cairo, being one of the largest cities in the world, is home to more than 15 million inhabitants. Like other mega-cities, solid waste management is a huge challenge for Cairo municipality and other stakeholders.  The city produces more than 15,000 tons of solid waste every day which is putting tremendous strain on city’s infrastructure. Waste collection services in Cairo are provided by formal as well as informal sectors. While local authorities, such as the Cairo Cleanliness and Beautification Authority (CCBA), form the formal public sector, the informal public sector is comprised of traditional garbage-collectors (the Zabbaleen).

Around 60 percent of the solid waste is managed by formal as well as informal waste collection, disposal or recycling operations while the rest is thrown on city streets or at illegal dumpsites. The present waste management is causing serious ecological and public health problems in Cairo and adjoining areas. Infact, disposal of solid waste in water bodies has lead to contamination of water supplies is several parts of the city. Waste collection in Cairo is subcontracted to ‘zabbaleen’, local private companies, multinational companies or NGOs. The average collection rate ranges from 0 percent in slums to 90% in affluent residential areas.

The Zabbaleen of Cairo

The Zabbaleen, traditional waste collectors of Cairo, have been responsible for creating one of the world’s most efficient and sustainable resource-recovery and waste-recycling systems. Since 1950’s, the Zabbaleen have been scouring the city of Cairo to collect waste from streets and households using donkey carts and pickup trucks. After bringing the waste to their settlement in Muqattam Village, also called Cairo’s garbage city, the waste is sorted and transformed into useful products like quilts, rugs, paper, livestock food, compost, recycled plastic products etc. After removing recyclable and organic materials, the segregated waste is passed onto various enterprises owned by Zabbaleen families.

A group of Zabbaleen boys at Muqattam Village

The Zabbaleen collect around 60 percent of the total solid waste generated in Cairo and recycle up to 80 percent of the collected waste which is much higher than recycling efficiencies observed in the Western world.  Over the last few decades, the Zabbaleen have refined their collection and sorting methods, built their own labor-operated machines and created a system in which every man, child and woman works.

Tryst with International Companies

In 2002, international waste management companies started operations in Egypt, particularly Cairo, Alexandria and Giza governorates, and the Zabbaleen were sidelined. However after ten years of participation in solid waste management in Cairo, their performance has been dismal. Infact, in 2009 Egyptian government acknowledged that solid waste management has deteriorated alarmingly after the entry of foreign companies.

The waste management situation in Greater Cairo has assumed critical proportions because of high population, increased waste generation and lack of waste collection infrastructure and disposal facilities. Garbage accumulation on streets, along highways and in waterways is a common sight. As a result of the bad performance of multinational private sector companies in SWM in Egypt during the last decade, the level of street cleanliness deteriorated and the pollution resulting from open-burning of trash increased significantly.

Moreover, the Zabbaleen suffered loss of livelihood after the entry of foreign solid waste management companies due to restricted access to their main asset. The mass slaughtering of pigs in 2009, after fears of swine flu epidemic, has lead to accumulation of organic wastes in many parts of the city.

The waste management situation in Cairo is at a serious juncture and concerted efforts are required to improve waste collection and disposal services across the city. The involvement of Zabbaleen is essential to the success of any waste management plan and the Egyptian government must involve all stake-holders is putting together a sustainable waste management for Cairo.

A Homeowner’s Guide To Home Solar System

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As energy prices continue to rise, more homeowners are becoming more curious about solar power. If you’re thinking about going solar, it’s important to do ample research about a home solar system.

To help you get started, this comprehensive guide shares the basics about the home solar system, its benefits, and things to consider when planning to install one.

guide to home solar system

Understanding Solar Energy System

Solar power systems are structures that capture usable energy generated from the sun. They can provide solar power to homes instead of relying on your local electricity provider. Technically speaking, solar energy is captured using a photovoltaic solar panel system.

Each solar panel consists of a glass casing unit, a metal frame, a layer of silicon cells, and several wirings to transfer the electric current. The metal frame and glass casing unit house and protect the silicon cells against weather conditions. These silicon cells are non-metal elements responsible for absorbing sunlight and converting it into usable electricity.

When sunlight hits the panel’s silicon cell, the light causes electrons in the cell to move. This initiates the flow of electric current, also known as direct current (DC) electricity. The wiring captures this DC electricity and feeds it into a solar inverter.

Since most appliances don’t run on direct current, a solar inverter is needed to change the electricity output. The solar inverter converts DC into alternate current (AC) through a transformer.

Homeowners with average DIY skills can mount and install small-scale solar panels. However, if you’re considering powering your home with a full solar system, it’s recommended to choose a solar installer.

Hiring reliable solar installation professionals like Impact Energy Home Solar Installation can ensure that your solar energy system is installed correctly according to local building requirements. In addition, these professionals have the necessary equipment and tools to handle all your solar installation needs.

Why Switch To Solar Energy?

Switching to solar energy comes with numerous benefits. Here are some of them:

1. It Helps You Save On Energy Bills

One of the biggest benefits of switching to solar power is that it helps reduce or completely eliminate your energy bills. Installing a solar panel means you generate your own electricity. Hence, you become less reliant on your local electricity provider, ultimately saving money on your monthly energy bill.

According to experts, the average home equipped with solar panels can save up to 90% on the monthly electric bill. However, keep in mind that this percentage still depends on several factors, including your electricity consumption, home size, solar system size, and location.

Nevertheless, as energy prices keep increasing, solar energy becomes a more viable alternative against rising prices. Since you’ll be generating energy from the sun, you don’t need to rely on expensive power from your local grid.

Also Read: Explore the Power of 12V 100Ah Battery for Off-Grid Adventures

2. It Contributes To Long-Term Sustainability

Solar power is considered a sustainable and clean source of energy. Opting for solar installation can help minimize the production of carbon, pollutants, and other greenhouse gases. It also helps lower your carbon footprint, contributing to a cleaner environment.

Furthermore, unlike other traditional sources of energy, solar power is renewable. This means you won’t ever run out of it as long as the sun shines.

3. It Has The Potential For Extra Income

Aside from its energy bill-saving benefit, installing a home solar system may also help you earn extra income. In the US and most parts of the world, there are several solar incentives you can avail of, such as solar energy credits and net metering. These two initiatives can help you earn bill credits and cash when your solar energy system generates electricity.

A solar credit allows you to get compensated for the electricity your solar energy system produces. Meanwhile, net metering enables you to sell excess energy produced by your solar energy system to your community’s power grid, helping you earn extra cash.

You can check with your local government if they’re offering any of these incentives and if you’re eligible. These incentives can provide you with immediate and long-term returns from your solar investments.

4. Low in Maintenance

Solar panels are low maintenance. Depending on the surrounding area and your location, you only need to clean your panels a couple of times yearly. Also, traditional solar energy systems have no moving parts, so you don’t have to worry about wear and tear.

Hence, you only need regular maintenance inspections on wiring and parts, checking for damages to ensure maximum efficiency. Besides, most reliable solar manufacturers offer extended warranties of 20 years or more to protect you against accidental damages or faulty products.

Things To Consider For Home Solar System Installation

As you can see, solar energy systems can provide you with numerous enticing benefits. If you want to install a solar energy system for your home, here are four factors to consider.

1. Find A Solar Expert

Home solar energy installation is a complex process. Thus, you want to find an expert who can help you navigate the complexity of solar installation and make the switch successful. However, with the increasing demand for expert solar installers, how do you choose the right one?

You can start by asking for references from relatives, friends, or co-workers who recently installed solar energy systems. Alternatively, a simple Google search can provide you with a list of solar installers in your area. You can also use online tools to help you find solar installation companies.

how to maintain your solar panel

Once you have a list, start narrowing down your options by asking them about their qualifications, experience, and credentials. Always ask for their proof of licenses and qualifications.

Furthermore, it’s essential to ensure the solar company is familiar with your local area, building permits, and interconnection processes. Moreover, it helps to ask about their warranties and insurance to protect you against technical issues once installed.

Additionally, it’s best to take the time to research online reviews about the company. You can also ask them for a list of references from previous clients in your area. This provides you with deeper insights into how the company works.

Consider narrowing down your options to three service providers. Plus, it’s best to ask for quotations for your solar installation to help you compare prices and services and find the right contractor for your needs.

2. Understand Your Energy Use

Performing an energy audit and understanding your energy consumption can help you determine the type and size of the solar system you need. In general, you can get the help of your chosen solar contractor for this.

You can take a look at your recent energy bills and determine your annual energy needs. Also, you can review every month of the year to help you identify your consumption trends. For instance, you may use more electricity to keep your home cool during the hot summer months of June through August.

Meanwhile, it also helps to think about your plans for the future. For instance, are you considering buying an electric car next year or building a new room? Such upgrades can affect your overall energy use, so keep them in mind when getting a home solar system.

3. Location

One of the most significant factors to consider when installing residential solar power systems is knowing how much sunlight your home can get. Since solar power systems rely on sunlight to generate energy, you must ensure that your home receives plenty of it for maximum performance.

But it doesn’t mean you have to live in a tropical or sunny location to make solar panels work for your home. Solar panels work well in most climates, even regions with less sunshine. Just don’t expect your solar energy system to be as effective as those in areas that receive the most sunlight.

In addition to your home’s location, it helps to consider nearby structures, including trees, towering condominiums, or even your home’s chimney. These structures can cast shade over your solar panel, reducing its efficiency.

On the other hand, your contractor can help you find the proper placement for your panels and how you can effectively optimize their output, regardless of your location.

4. Solar Placement

Speaking of placement, did you know that you have several options in terms of where you want to install your solar panels?

For most residential homes, rooftop panels are the most common installation placement. It provides the maximum amount of sunlight exposure while also clearing the curb of any potentially hazardous panels or wirings. However, there are several considerations when installing your solar systems on your rooftop.

If you have an older roof but have a vast open space in your backyard, you may consider a ground-mounted system instead. This placement is more applicable for rural homes with hectares of unused land. With a ground-mounted system, you can expand your solar energy system to accommodate your growing needs and provide better access to panels for maintenance.

Meanwhile, if ground space is minimal and your rooftop is out of the question, wall-mounted solar energy systems are a viable answer. If your home has a south-facing wall, you can install solar panels there to capture sunlight for a limited time.

It’s estimated that vertical solar panels can still generate at least 70% of energy. Also, wall-mounted panels are arguably more efficient during winter since the sun is much lower in the sky. Also, you don’t have to worry about snow accumulating on top of the panels, which can disrupt their efficiency.

While it may not be as efficient as other installation options, wall-mounted solar panels still allow you to harness the sun’s energy if both ground and roof installation aren’t suitable.

Takeaway

There’s no doubt that solar energy is the future. If you’re thinking of making the switch, this article has provided you with everything you need to know to make a well-informed decision and make the whole process easier.

Best Green Ways to Increase Your Property’s Value

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Increasing a property’s value is something that everyone hopes to accomplish during their lifetime. The place in which one owns is usually the biggest asset of a person’s life. Therefore, one should treat it dearly by taking steps to improve its condition over the years. Over the past decade, there has been a huge drive towards achieving sustainability in all facets of our lives. Simply put to be sustainable or “green” means to satisfy your present needs in a way that does not compromise the needs or resources of future generations. More importantly to put this into the context of our home, to be sustainable means to be as efficient as possible and not waste all the resources required for the proper operation and maintenance of it.

In the following paragraphs, some of the more direct and easy ways to increase your property value in a sustainable green manner will be explained.

Selecting the right material for sustainable roofs

Yes, there are eco-friendly roofing and the material plays the biggest part of it. In North American houses, roofs are one of the most important and expensive features that need proper maintenance every few years or replacement every 20 to 100 years depending on the roof you have, according to Bartlett Roofing Boise. Thus, when looking for an eco-friendly roofing most property owners aim for the most cost-effective roofing material, but often times neglect durability and do not think outside the box of how selecting the roofing material can not only improve durability, but also increase your property’s value through other indirect cost savings as a result of having an environmentally friendly green roof.

Some examples of great roofing materials that have a direct effect on both durability and sustainability are posted below: 

1. Cool Roof

It is important to have a white-colored reflective roof, especially when living in hot climates. A light-colored roof does a good job of reflecting and not absorbing UV rays, which can really heat up your home and thus increase your air conditioning bill.

2. Metal Roof

Although metal roofs cost a little bit more than regular roofs, this cost is offset by them being long-lasting, up to 50 years and fire-resistant compared to traditional roofs made out of shingles and wood. Metal roofs are also good for those in dry areas who really want to harvest water from the rain. Another important feature of metal roofs is that they are 100% recyclable at the end of their lives and homeowners can usually get some money back when selling their metal roof for scrap.

3. Recycled Shingles Roof

Recycled shingles come from materials such as plastic, wood, and rubber which can be easily repurposed and reused as shingle materials. Recycled shingles are cheap and are usually the greenest roofing material. They are very durable having a lifespan of about 50 years. The sustainability in this type of roof comes from the low energy used and low pollution in the manufacturing of the recycled shingles.

4. Green Roof

Green roofs are roofs with a vegetative layer that is grown on the rooftop of a house or building. These roofs have grown significantly in the past few years. Green roofs improve your property aesthetics, they reduce energy usage due to the thermal efficiency of the soil and also reduce air pollution. Green roofs can also capture stormwater and return it back through evaporation.

Other green home remodelling ideas that will increase its value

Not every remodeling or renovation type will increase your home’s value when it comes time to sell. The push towards sustainability might make your home a bit different from the others and in general if one can find cost savings within sustainability it will make your home very competitive in a buyer’s real estate market.

The following green home remodeling ideas are what can make a home buyer give you more money when it comes time to sell. 

  • Upgrading Landscape and Curb: The very first thing someone sees when they pull up to your home is the lawn and landscaping. A great luscious green landscape with a proper garden with painted outer fences and walls and adding native plants that reduce water costs and solar lights can drastically make your home greener and improve its appeal to a potential buyer.
  • Replacing Old Windows: Windows are some of the most expensive things in a home that need replacing every 20 years. However, they are one of the most important features that can save you a lot of money through a reduced energy bill. Old windows tend to leak a lot of air as the sun and environment degrade them over time. It is important to replace them with a lighter colored Energy Star rated windows to keep the cold or warm air inside. It is also important to add additional windows to the not so lit areas of your home to brighten it up with some naturally occurring sunlight and get rid of the nonessential lighting within your home.
  • Low-Flow Faucets and Toilets: These are some of the cheapest things that one can replace in a home and have big savings in their water bill. New faucets and toilets are designed to be as water-efficient as possible by incorporating water with air through an aerator which maintains water pressure.
  • Solar Water Heater: It is said that water heating usually accounts for up to 20% of a home’s energy bill. Therefore, in places that see a lot of sunlight installing a solar water heater can do wonders to lowering your energy bill. Not to mention installing solar panels on your roof might be expensive, but you can save plenty of money through government programs implemented to buy back the energy that you capture enabling one to save a lot of money and reduce carbon emissions.
  • Energy Efficient LED Lighting: Replacing all old light bulbs with LED light bulbs can help a home save roughly $1000 over a 10-year period according to USA Today. LED light bulbs convert electricity into light through the use of a semiconductor. LED light bulbs are much longer-lasting than traditional light bulbs.

Therefore, it is important to not think of green home renovations in terms of costs but it is important to think of them as improving the durability and long term evaluation of your property for the better in a changing world.

The Holy Quran: A New Ecological Paradigm

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Among the world scriptures, the Holy Quran provides a unique resource for building a new ecological paradigm. Grounded in the Abrahamic tradition, it presents a harmonious view of nature reminiscent of the Far East. In the Quran, “whatsoever is the heavens and on the earth glorifies God” (59:1; 61:1; 62:1; 64:1). “The stars and the trees prostrate” (55:6), “the thunder hymns His praise” (13:13), and “unto God prostrates whosoever is in the heavens and whosoever is on the earth, the sun, the moon, the stars, the mountains, the trees, and the beasts” (22:18). In these and many other verses, the whole of creation is presented as a Divine symphony, for “there is no thing, save that it hymns His praise, though you do not understand their praise. Truly He is Clement, Forgiving” (17:44).

Quran-environmental-crisis

Common Cause of Humanity

According to the latest results from the Pew Research Center, by 2050, over 60% of the world’s population will be Christian or Muslim: 29.7% will be Muslim and 31.4% will be Christian. Muslims and Christians have no choice but to come together to work for the common cause of humanity in confronting this unprecedented challenge. Moreover, to take root in humanity any sustainable ecological worldview must incorporate and address the teachings that much of humanity seeks to follow. As Pope Francis observes, the solutions cannot come from science and technology alone.

The extinction of species and the eradication of pristine environments are like the removal of a section from this orchestra of which we are all a part. The Quran thus enjoins us to “walk not exultantly upon the earth” (17:63) and to view the whole of nature as “signs for a people who hear” (10:67; 16:65; 30:23), “signs for a people who reflect” (13:3; 30:21), and “signs for a people who understand” (2:164; 13:4; 16:12, 67; 30:24; 45:5).

Yet, in our rapacious approach to nature, we have failed to reflect and thus become like those of whom the Quran says, “they have hearts with which they understand not; they have eyes with which they see not; and they have ears with which they hear not” (7:179). Unable to see, listen and understand, we have become like one of whom the Quran warns, “when he turns away [from God’s signs], he endeavors to work corruption upon the earth, and to destroy tillage and offspring” (2:205).

Relevance of the Papal Encyclical

Pope Francis’ encyclical on the environment, Laudato Si (“Praised Be”), is a clarion call to all of humanity. It also provides an important opportunity to expand the conversation regarding the relationship between religion and the environment. Many scientists maintain that we have reached “decade zero” for addressing climate change. We thus have no choice but to mine the riches of all the world’s traditions to create new paradigms and new solutions to environmental degradation. As the encyclical states, “We need a conversation which includes everyone, since the environmental challenge we are undergoing and its human roots, concern and affect us all.”

The Papal Encyclical provides an unprecedented opportunity for the people of the world’s faith traditions to turn away from the corruption we have wrought and open our hearts to one another and to the plea of Mother Nature. For her fate will be determined by the decisions of our generation. By drawing upon the shared teachings of our traditions, humanity can again learn to honor the immutable rights of rivers, animals and trees, as well as human beings suffering inhumane working conditions. By bearing witness of our own transgressions, we can reverse our course and ensure that the rights of God’s creation prevail over the transient interests of corporations. As Pope Francis observes, we have no choice but to take this direction and to work with one another.

For Muslims and Christians, the place of human beings is not to subdue the earth. It is to hear the patterns already established within nature and live in harmony with them, had we but eyes to see and ears to hear. In both Christianity and Islam, human beings are presented as stewards of the earth. In the Quran, this responsibility is both an honor and a trial.

Verse 6:165 states, God it is Who appointed you stewards upon the earth and raised some of you by degrees above others, that He may try you in that which He has given you. From this perspective, being stewards of nature is about our responsibility toward God, not our dominion over creation. Neither the Bible nor the Quran has any place for what Pope Francis calls “a tyrannical anthropocentrism unconcerned for other creatures.

We will thus be held accountable for the degree to which we have carried out our function as stewards. As the Prophet Muhammad (SAW) is reported to have said, “The world is a green and pleasant thing. God has made you stewards of it, and looks at how you behave.“

Conclusion

Given the state of the environmental crisis and the alarming increase in environmental degradation, one cannot but conclude that contemporary humanity has failed this test. The world and our children can no longer afford the cost of our failures. It is thus time that people of all faiths unite and in the words of Martin Luther King, “rededicate ourselves to the long and bitter, but beautiful, struggle for a new world.”

Important Things You Should Know About Mattress Disposal

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When you start to live a greener, more eco-friendly lifestyle, you’ll find that you spend more time recycling and reusing items rather than simply throwing them away. The less waste you can create, the more the environment can thrive. However, there will be times in your life when you’re simply not sure what you need to do to get rid of an old item that you no longer have use for.

If your old and lumpy mattress is far past its best and you can’t donate it to someone in need, then you’ll need to figure out how you’re going to dispose of it without causing any excess damage to the environment.  Here are a few things you’ll need to know about disposing of your old mattress.

1. Always Try Donating First

The average mattress lasts for anywhere between 7 and 8 years. If you’ve decided to get a new mattress, but your old one isn’t completely worn out yet, then you might be able to donate the old product to an organization in need of help.

One particularly good option for international donors is the Salvation Army. This group has thrift stores throughout the world, and the group can provide a furniture pickup service for mattress donations in certain locations. Donations to the Salvation Army are tax-deductible too. If the salvation army isn’t an option, try:

  •       Habitat for Humanity International
  •       Furniture Bank Association of America
  •       Goodwill
  •       Local charity stores
  •       Homeless shelters

Remember, your mattress needs to be in good condition for a donation. That means no tears, no damage that might cause discomfort to a new user, and no bedbugs!

2. Recycling is the Second Best Option

If a donation isn’t possible for you, then you can consider recycling your mattress instead. Up to 90% of your mattress can be recycled and repurposed to create new products. To make sure that you’re recycling your mattress correctly, you’ll need to go online and track down the nearest recycling center that accepts mattresses.

There are likely to be a few options in your local area. For a small fee, some companies will even pick the mattress up for you if you don’t have a way to get the item to them. Remember, most centers will allow you to submit a mattress for recycling if it isn’t in the best condition. However, recycling centers will not take mattresses that have been exposed to pests or bed bugs. Check the terms and conditions of your recycling plant.

recycling-bin-dubai

3. Junk Removal Companies Can Help You Out

Finally, if you’re getting rid of a mattress that can’t be recycled, and isn’t any good for donation, then your only option will be to have it removed by a junk removal company. These businesses will take items to the dump if they need to go there, but most junk removal companies will also try to recycle or donate used mattresses before simply throwing them away.

Residential junk removal services have the right people and expertise to handle the challenging task of decluttering and disposing of unwanted items in your home. These services typically employ skilled and experienced professionals trained to efficiently and safely remove various types of junk, whether it’s old mattresses, furniture, appliances, electronics, construction debris, or general household clutter.

Using these kinds of companies will cost you a small amount of money, depending on the size and weight of the mattress. Many will charge by volume, although others do charge on a per-item basis. You should also consider checking the warranty of your old mattress before you get rid of it, as the manufacturer might offer disposal services.

But how do you prepare your old mattress for junk removal? You can follow some steps to ensure a smooth and efficient pickup by the removal service. Firstly, strip the mattress off all bedding and linens and ensure it’s completely bare. Inspect the mattress for any hazardous materials, like bedbugs, and inform the removal service accordingly if found. In case of rain or moisture concerns, protect the mattress by covering it with a plastic mattress bag or a large plastic sheet.

If your mattress is part of a larger bed frame, disassemble it as needed. Ensure that all hazardous materials, like sharp edges and protruding springs, are out of children’s reach. Communicate with the removal service in advance, schedule a pickup, and discuss any specific requirements they may have regarding size or weight restrictions. On the scheduled pickup day, be present or provide access to the removal team and comply with local regulations for mattress disposal.

Additionally, if you’re replacing your old bed with a new one, see whether the company that you’re buying the new mattress from offer a removal service. Some companies are more than happy to responsibly dispose of your old mattress when they deliver your new one.

نصائح لتقليل النفايات الغذائية

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للنفايات الغذائية آثار بيئية واقتصادية واجتماعية أيضاً. إن ارتفاع معدلات الدخل والإنفاق الفردية، ومستوى المعيشة، والقدرة على الإنفاق، وسلوكياتنا في إهدار الطعام تؤثر سلباً على مواردنا المحدودة. فأصبح من الشائع أن نرى أكوام من الطعام المتبقي في أطباق الطعام في مراكز التسوق والمطاعم. وللأسف فإن القدرة على الإنفاق أدت إلى زيادة متسارعة في إنتاج وتراكم النفايات الغذائية في دول الشرق الأوسط عامة، وفي دول مجلس التعاون الخليجي خاصة.

food-waste-GCC

ويمكن قياس خطورة الوضع من خلال الحقائق التي تبيّن أنه يتم إنتاج أكثر من 300 طن من النفايات الغذائية يومياً في البحرين، مما يشكل حوالي 11% من النفايات البلدية. حيث يتم إلقاء جميع هذه النفايات في صناديق القمامة ثم جمعها من قِبل مقاولي البلدية، ثم تنقل إلى مكب العسكر الواقع على بعد 25 كليوم متر عن المدينة.

يتوجب على سكان دول الشرق الأوسط أن يدركوا أننا نستورد كميات كبيرة من المواد الغذائية ثم نهدرها دون مبالاة في القمامة. و تشير التقديرات إلى أن ربع الأطعمة التي يتم شرائها تتعفن ويتم إلقاؤها في سلة المهملات قبل أن يتم استخدامها أو أكلها.

يميل الناس إلى شراء كميات أكبر مما يحتاجون، أو مما يمكنهم استهلاكه. وغالباً ما يتركون الطعام الذي تم طلبه أو شراؤه نصف مأكول، وهو سلوك شائع ولكنه غير سليم.

إن ترك بقايا الطعام هو توجه خاطئ يؤدي إلى زيادة الهدر للمواد الغذائية المشتراة، التي لا يتم استخدامها بشكل كامل أو كفؤ، فينتهي بها المطاف في صناديق القمامة. بالإضافة إلى ذلك،  فإن هدر الطعام يكون بنسبة أكبر خلال الموائد المفتوحة (البوفيهات)، حيث تكون خيارات الأطباق أكثر وبكميات غير محدودة. يجب أن يكون التوجه نحو اختيار ما نستطيع أكله فقط.

لقد ازدادت تكلفة الأطعمة المطبوخة وغير المطبوخة بشكل ملحوظ في السنوات الأخيرة، مما زاد الضغط على الميزانية المحلية لأرباب الأُسر الذين يكافحون بالفعل لمواجهة تكاليف المعيشة، والسكن، والرعاية الطبية، والنقل وغيرها. مهمتنا الأولى هي تقليل كمية النفايات الغذائية القابلة للتحلل الحيوي من أن ينتهي بها المطاف إلى صناديق القمامة -ومن ثم إلى مكب النفايات. بالإضافة إلى ذلك، إذا قمنا بتطبيق عملية جمع النفايات الغذائية، فإننا نقوم بإزالة جزء كبير من المكونات القابلة للتحلل الحيوي من صندوق القمامة. ويجب علينا أن ندرك أن وصول الطعام إلى المكب وتحلله حيوياً ينتج كمية غازات دفيئة أكثر.

food-waste-qatar

للنفايات الغذائية آثار بيئية واقتصادية واجتماعية

جدية الأمر تتطلب اتباع عادات غذائية وسلوكيات أفضل؛ “أن تأخذ ما تستطيع أن تأكله احتراماً للطبيعة الأم”. يكمن الحل الاجتماعي والثقافي في اتباع طريقة ذكية للتعامل مع الطعام وتجنب إهداره.

دعونا نمارس النصائح التالية للتقليل من النفايات الغذائية في الشرق الأوسط:

  • اشترِ ما تريد بالفعل وبكميات محددة.
  • شراء المواد الغذائية وخاصة الفاكهة والخضراوات بكميات قليلة وبناءً على حاجتك فقط.
  • حاول استخدام الكميات بالشكل الأمثل وتناول ما يتبقى منها أيضا.
  • لا تخجل من أخذ/تغليف ما يتبقى من الطعام في الحفلات، فهذا لن يؤثر على احترامك لذاتك وسمعتك.
  • يومياً تفقد المواد الغذائية الموجودة في الثلاجة/المجمّد، وسلة الفاكهة الخاصة بك، وتأكد من المواد القابلة للتعفن وانتهاء الصلاحية. وقم باستخدامها أو التبرع بها قبل أن تصبح من النفايات.
  • نحن بحاجة لاتباع أجدادنا في أسلوبهم في “شراء الأقل وتناول بقايا الطعام”، والذي أصبح موضة قديمة بحسب ما يعرف بعادات العصر الحديث.

ترجمة: بثينة أبو روزا

ناشطة اجتماعية وبيئية ،رائدة أعمال والمؤسس لشركة قطوف للتدريب التنموي البيئي والتي تعتبر المركز الاول محليا وإقليما  المعتمد من مؤسسة  سيتي أند جيلد ( City & Guilds) البريطانية المختصة بالتدريب والتعليم المهني، وفقا للمعايير الدولية وبشهادات دولية صادرة من بريطانيا وبمسار مهني في إدارة النفايات وإعادة التدوير.

Why Mediterranean Countries are Safest Bet to Solve Energy Crisis in Europe

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Europe has been desperately trying to find alternative sources of energy to replace Russian gas. American Liquified Natural Gas (LNG) imports used today, is only a temporary solution and not a long-term one, due to its high costs and transport limitations. However, Algeria, Israel, Egypt, and possibly other transit nations like Libya and Turkey in the future can all contribute significantly to the continent’s increased energy demands. In the Eastern Mediterranean significant amounts of natural gas have recently been discovered recently and could increase gas collaborations with Europe.

European partnership with Mediterranean energy producers

Algeria increased its pipeline supplies to Europe by over 10% on available export routes in the first ten months of this year and is considered as a major gas supplier. Since 1996, Spain has purchased gas from Algeria through the Maghreb-Europe pipeline, which passes through Morocco, and since 2011, it has done so through the undersea Medgaz pipeline. Nevertheless, the dispute between Algeria and Morocco over the Western Sahara, which Morocco claims as its territory while Algeria supports the Polisario Front calling for Sahrawi independence, has consistently impacted relations between Madrid and Algiers, especially the two nations’ energy commerce.

Tensions have progressively gotten worse over the last two years and led Algeria to end gas exports via the Maghreb-Europe pipeline and therefore cut off supplies to Morocco, planning instead to expand the capacity of the Medgaz pipeline[1].

Madrid, which had previously maintained that the UN should decide the status of the area, supported Rabat’s proposal to maintain sovereignty over the Western Sahara while providing it independence to manage its own internal affairs. The Algerian government has repeatedly warned Spain not to re-export gas it receives from Algeria to Morocco[2], which has struggled to make up for shortages caused by the termination of flows via the Maghreb-Europe pipeline and Algerian ambassador in Madrid has been withdrawn following these events.

Moreover, the agreement on gas between the EU-Israel-Egypt[3] comes as European politicians are more concerned about Egypt’s economic stability. The Russian invasion of Ukraine has severely impacted Egypt, especially in terms of food security, and the Egyptian government is working to contain what may become a growing economic disaster. While macroeconomic growth rates have been largely positive, pressure is growing due to inflation and skyrocketing food and energy costs.

Recurring political unrest in Egypt is a nightmare scenario for many European governments, who have been scarred by the experience of the unrest that engulfed the Middle East and North Africa in the wake of the Arab Uprisings in 2010 and 2011. In particular, the migration crisis that was precipitated and made worse by the violent conflicts in Syria and Lebanon.

All in all, while Europe is attempting to diversify energy imports too rapidly, new partnerships with Mediterranean Energy producers must be recognized for their geopolitical complexity and instability that could jeopardize the energy security of future strategies.

[1] https://www.euractiv.com/section/politics/opinion/stability-in-the-mediterranean-region-will-bring-stability-to-europe/

[2] https://energynews.pro/en/spain-algeria-concerns-about-gas-relations/

[3] https://www.osw.waw.pl/en/publikacje/osw-commentary/2022-08-12/israels-mediterranean-gas-potential-gas-export-to-europe-and

The Menace of Landfills in Kuwait

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Kuwait, being one of the richest countries, is among the highest per capita waste generators in the world. Each year more than 2 million tons of solid waste in generated in the tiny Arab nation. High standards of living and rapid economic growth has been a major factor behind very high per capita waste generation of 1.4 to 1.5 kg per day.

The prevalent solid waste disposal method in Kuwait is landfill burial. Despite being a small country, Kuwait has astonishingly high number of landfills. There are 18 landfills, of which 14 sites are closed and 4 sites are still in operation. These landfills act as dumpsites, rather than engineered landfills. Infact, landfill sites in Kuwait are notorious for causing severe public health and environmental issues.

Besides piling up huge amounts of garbage, landfill sites generate huge amount of toxic gases (methane, carbon dioxide etc) and plagued by spontaneous fires. Due to fast paced urban development, residential areas have expanded to the edges of landfill sites thus causing grave danger to public health.

Landfills in Kuwait

The total land area of Kuwait is around 17,820 sq. km, out of which more than 18 sq. km is occupied by landfills. Area of the landfill sites ranges from tens to hundreds of hectares with waste deposition depth varying from 3 to 30 meters. All kind of wastes, including municipal wastes, food wastes, industrial wastes, construction and demolition debris etc are dumped at these sites. Infact, about 90 percent of the domestic waste is sent to landfills which imply that more landfills will be required to tackle rapidly increasing volumes of solid wastes.

Most of the landfill sites have been closed for more than 20 years due to operational problems and proximity to new residential, commercial and industrial areas. These sites include Sulaibiyah, Kabed, Al‐Qurain, Shuaiba, Jleeb AI Shuyoukh, West Yarmouk, AI Wafra among others. Migration of leachate beyond landfill site boundaries is a frequent problem noticed across Kuwait. Groundwater contamination has emerged as a serious problem because groundwater occurs at shallow depths throughout the country.

The major landfill sites operated by municipality for solid waste disposal are Jleeb AI Shuyoukh, Sulaibiyah and Al-Qurain. The Qurain landfill, with area of 1 sq. km, was used for dumping of municipal solid waste and construction materials from 1975 until 1985 with total volume of dumped waste being 5 million m3.

The Sulaibiyah landfill site received more than 500 tons of waste per day from 1980 to 2000 with area spanning 3 sq. km. Jleeb AI Shuyoukh, largest landfill site in Kuwait with area exceeding 6 sq. km, received 2500 tons per day of household and industrial waste between 1970 and 1993. Around 20 million m3 of wastes was dumped in this facility during its operational period.

Over the years, most of the dumpsites in Kuwait have been surrounded by residential and commercial areas due to urban development over the years. Uncontrolled dumpsites were managed by poorly-trained staff resulting in transformation of dumpsites in breeding grounds for pathogens, toxic gases and spontaneous fires.

Most of the landfill sites have been forced to close, much before achieving their capacities, because of improper disposal methods and concerns related to public health and environment. Due to fast-paced industrial development and urban expansion, some of the landfills are located on the edges of residential, as is the case of Jleeb Al-Shuyoukh and Al-Qurain sites, endangering the lives of hundreds of thousands of people.

How Asia Pulp & Paper Adopts CDP Carbon Disclosure Standards

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The pulp and paper industry is one that has been deeply impacted by the rise of the eco-conscious consumer. Whether a business produces disposable, reusable, or repurposable paper products, many pulp and paper companies continue to be placed under further scrutiny by consumers. Issues such as resource depletion and carbon emissions are common critiques of the industry, regardless of how useful or necessary their products may be.

At the same time, many pulp and paper companies such as Asia Pulp and Paper (APP) Sinar Mas have proactively moved towards comprehensively integrating sustainability outcomes into their overall operational strategy.

Asia Pulp and Paper CDP Carbon Disclosure

Seeking out awards and standards to integrate into your company’s sustainability strategy is the first step to officiating your business’ efforts, establishing trust with the consumer base, and providing transparency to stakeholders. The inclusion of reliable third-party standards or guidelines into long-term sustainability strategies such as Asia Pulp & Paper’s Sustainability Roadmap Vision 2030 not only provides an external source for validating the company’s claims, but also reassures skeptical consumers.

There is no shortage of internationally-recognised charities, non-profit organisations, and other organisations that provide strict standards that pulp and paper companies can integrate into their sustainability strategies. One such organisation is CDP, a not-for-profit charity that runs global disclosure and corporate environmental reporting systems dedicated to managing environmental impacts.

What is CDP?

Formerly known as the Carbon Disclosure Project, CDP is an international non-profit organisation that originally focused on encouraging individual companies to disclose their environmental impact and carbon emissions.

Today the organisation helps investors, businesses, cities, and governments evaluate their environmental impact and connects them to accredited solutions providers to take immediate action and create a sustainable economy.

CDP has three key areas of focus: Water Security, Forests, and Climate Change. Each of these categories has further criteria against which participating member companies are assessed and graded. Put together, this results in an overall score that can be a measure of a company’s environmental consciousness, advanced sustainability governance, and outspoken leadership in addressing climate change.

In its annual ranking process, CDP also rewards businesses that provide high-quality disclosure with a place on the so-called “A-list”.

Why should pulp and paper companies disclose with CDP?

CDP disclosure has various benefits for companies in any industry or sector. Compared to other certifications that have a complex and costly accreditation process, CDP primarily relies on audited self-reporting in line with its goals to make risk management and corporate environmental reporting a normative part of global business culture.

Businesses can easily participate in CDP membership provided they are willing to collect their own data and present it for a report – which can be seamless for a company that has already integrated CDP standards into its sustainability reporting.

Pulp and paper companies, in particular, stand to benefit from carbon disclosure and other environmental measures due to the resource-intensive nature of their industry. Under its “Forest” area of focus, CDP specifically recognises the timber industry (including pulp and paper companies) as one of the industries that drives deforestation and forest degradation globally.

To address this, CDP has introduced various critical steps and commitments that pulp and paper companies can adopt to improve the sustainability of their supply chains. This includes public commitments to sustainable development, traceability targets related to larger environmental commitments, and enforcing monitoring systems to assess and assure the company’s compliance.

CDP disclosure can also benefit pulp and paper companies in the following ways:

1. Greater Stakeholder Transparency

Environmental disclosure is highly sought for and in constant demand in today’s eco-conscious economy. Such demands are coming not just from consumers but investors and stakeholders at all levels.

CDP themselves report that 680+ investors with over US$130 trillion in assets and 200+ large purchasers with over US$5.5 trillion in annual procurement expenditure are now looking to CPD participating businesses as a benchmark for transparency and long-term sustainability.

Today’s investors understand the strong link between longevity and environmental sustainability; they want to invest in viable long-term business which, in the context of climate change and emerging sustainability regulations, is only possible with vetted sustainable businesses.

Participating in CDP disclosure standards isn’t just a moral or ethical imperative for companies anymore, but can have a positive impact on their business by improving their standing with stakeholders.

Businesses in the pulp and paper industry will benefit from the transparency that CDP offers when it comes to selling shares and corporate investment. This grading demonstrates a business’ willingness to report data on sensitive topics, and provides a benchmark against which concerned parties can measure progress in sustainability. Asia Pulp and Paper’s Sustainability Report 2020 is an example of self-reporting that other pulp and paper companies can look towards when crafting their own disclosure processes.

2. Improved Brand Reputation and Management

Brand reputation is one of the most important factors when it comes to consumer relations. Brands that destroy trust with their customers through superficial commitments to sustainable development or quality-control shortcuts could also suffer financially as sales decrease alongside their brand reputation.

Pulp and paper companies remain vulnerable to blows to their brand reputation in the context of increased consumer scrutiny, especially as more companies specialising in sustainable alternatives emerge onto the market. The industry can overcome concerning press coverage and the public’s concern around their resource usage by taking responsibility for the environmental impact of their enterprises, choosing transparency, and committing to third-party assessment by external international authorities such as CDP.

3. Keeping Pace with Regulation Standards

Climate change, human rights, and sustainable resource management are now global concerns that businesses of all sizes will need to address in order to stay afloat. State and federal governments are under increased pressure from consumer groups to set and achieve international sustainability goals, which means increased regulations for businesses operating in areas of concern.

sustainability goals of APP Sinar Mas

In a world in which mandatory corporate environmental reporting and disclosure is gaining momentum, disclosing through CDP enables companies to meet reporting rules in multiple regions. It also provides an advantage over the local competition; by adjusting sustainability standards ahead of government regulations, pulp and paper companies following CDP’s standards have fewer adjustments to make if reporting becomes mandatory. This also allows organisations greater flexibility in redirecting their resources to more salient areas in line with larger policy changes.

4. Long-term Benchmarks of Success

Not all businesses are going to start CDP reporting with an A+ grade; sustainable businesses don’t grow overnight, and committing to a long-term sustainable development strategy takes ample time, resources, and effort at every level of an organisation.

Because progress can happen so slowly, it’s easy to lose sight of how far the business has come on a YoY basis. This is where CDP reporting can come in to offer third-party insight into a business’ sustainability progress over time, as well as accreditation in recognition of improved sustainability measures.

Asia Pulp and Paper has been transparent in its improvement in CDP grades across the years, beginning with an A- in supplier engagement and B scores in climate change and forest in 2020, and increasing to Asia Pulp & Paper receiving A- grading in CDP’s Forest category in 2021.

The organisation’s earlier efforts at implementing sustainability into its overall strategy have also been recognised. The case study attributes the organisation’s success to various mechanisms within its Forest Conservation Policy including a sustainable and responsible forestry management plan, bottom-up consultations with stakeholders, and external community-focused projects such as the Desa Makmur Peduli Api (DMPA) programme.

This is an example of an organisation that has made tremendous efforts towards sustainability across multiple aspects of its organisational strategy, and is committed to finetuning its measures to improve its overall grading over time.

media and sustainable development

Pursuing Sustainable Development through CDP Disclosure

The CDP framework provides a point of reference for both businesses and consumers to assess an organisation’s environmental commitments, and can help all parties involved make better decisions about how resources are used as part of the production process.

Companies in the pulp and paper industry need to normalise corporate environmental reporting, carbon disclosure statements, and external auditing if they want to survive the new era of sustainability legislation and eco-conscious consumers and stakeholders. Businesses can also look towards projects by organisations that have already embraced CDP disclosure (such as Asia Pulp and Paper) as a blueprint for what steps to take next – whether or not these organisations have made it onto CDP’s A-List yet.

New Fines for Littering in Bahrain

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Littering is a common phenomenon both in urban and rural areas of Bahrain. Streets, sidewalks, parking lots, roads and highways are mostly covered with food wrappers, soft drink and water bottles, plastic bags, handbills, cigarette butts, tissues, papers etc. Litter has the potential to cause harm to human health, safety, welfare as well as the environment. Littering can be a fire hazard and it attracts pests and rodents. Litter also cause accidents on roads as drivers avoid litter on road. Litter also harm plants, vegetation and natural areas. The temptation to ‘litter’ is usually motivated by disrespect to the law and its enforcement as well as ignorance and arrogance in our attitude, thinking that municipalities will clean our mess.

There are several factors that may impact on littering behaviour including inconvenience and laziness, absence of ownership or pride for the area, feeling that someone else will pick it up, number, placement and appearance of litter bins at or near the site, absence of realistic penalties, enforcement of legislation, lack of social pressure and lack of knowledge of the environmental impacts of littering.

New Littering Fines in Bahrain

The local authorities in Bahrain have now taken cognizance of the situation. Now littering on Bahrain's roads could carry fines of up to BD300 if a new draft law is passed by parliament. The National Cleanliness Law was approved by the Capital Trustees Board last week and includes tougher punishments for dumping waste, leaving animal faeces on the streets, and disposing of medical or hazardous substances in public. The new law will give more judicial power to the municipal officials to penalize the offenders.

Under the existing law which is almost three decades old, offenders are fined only BD10 for littering. However, if the new rules are implemented, then fines for minor offences will range between BD100 and BD300 and for serious offences will be between BD500 and BD1,000.

Capital Trustees Board chairman has very rightly mentioned that ‘Dumping and littering have become a habit for a number of people and it needs immediate action, especially with fines not matching the offences. The fines once imposed will be monitored by the Capital Trustees Authority, and Bahrain's three other municipalities.

Thus, dumping and littering whether on main roads or neighborhoods, on pavements or alleys, at beaches or wasteland are prohibited. Also, dumping anything that may obstruct traffic or prevent people from movement is illegal whether it is garden waste, construction waste, furniture, vehicles or any other materials.

Conquering Litter

Litter can be conquered. People can make a difference. It is our responsibility to clean up the litter in an ‘earth-friendly manner.’ Clean communities have a better chance of attracting new business, residents and tourists. There is no reason for any of us to litter because we can always find a litter bin to throw the trash away.

Let us set an example for others, especially children, by not littering and by carrying a litterbag in our vehicle, securely covering trash containers to prevent wind or animals from spreading litter, when visiting parks and recreation areas make sure to leave the area clean for the next person to enjoy and restricting the distribution and disposal of handbills.

PPP = Permanent Plastic Problem

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The 3P’s of plastic – PPP – first is that the item or object is plastic. The second concern is that plastic is permanent. Not permanently in use, but after is use it has a very long life-span before it breaks down totally. And that leads to the third, and ultimate issue, that plastic becomes a problem.

The issues around plastic are multi-facetted, complex and very diverse. It depends on the composition of the raw materials, how the materials are combined and made into the plastic product. Then it becomes an issue in how the product or object is disposed of. The story then becomes very long in terms of how it breaks down, where it breaks down and what is breaks down into.

permanent plastic problem

Carbon footprint is heard so frequently these days in the context of climate change and global warming. The carbon footprint associated with the production of plastic is huge. Plastic production consumes large quantities of oil, and/or natural gas and energy to power the whole series of production processes. A baseline to start with is that in the production of just 1kg of plastic produces 6kn of CO2. The plastic production process also requires a large quantity of usable, clean water.

There is copious research in plastics, microplastics, accumulation of microplastics in our food chains which translates to our ecosystems in which we live. There are tonnes and tonnes of plastics in our oceans. Figures currently estimated at 8 million tonnes of plastics end up in our oceans. This happens so simply because we are a throw-away society. Instead of disposing correctly or recycling, people literally throw their plastic waste around them. In gutters, streams, alleyways, on the road. Other plastic waste may be carried by wind or washed away by rainwater and overland flow. It may come from wash off from landfills, improper storage and illegal dumping. This can be summed up in one word: trash.

Some plastic is recycled. Although recycling plastic is not a straight forward and easy option. Different types or composition of plastics require different recycling methods. Unfortunately, only about 9% pf the global plastics are recycled. This could be summed up as sheer apathy.

According to numerous fishery studies and research projects, more and more fish are ingesting microplastics. This means that microplastics are entering our food chains and food webs. Microplastics are minute, tiny, miniscule pieces of plastic.  Still plastic. One needs to realise that we are part of the food ecosystem, in fact we are generally placed at the top of the food web.

As the microplastics pass through the various food chains, there is a process called bioaccumulation taking place. The actual accumulation increases through the food chains. As one moves up the chain, from proto- and zoo-plankton, through the lower level consumers, with the smaller fishes consumed by the larger fishes, their predators, the level of microplastics keeps increasing. And so yes, it is a documented fact that humans are now consuming fish with significant levels of microplastics in the tissues of the fish.

plastic problem

It is estimated  that humans are consuming a rather frightening amount of microplastics in the order of 40,000 pieces of plastic per week. A crude calculation of this amount of microplastic would be equivalent to the size of a credit card. This could be summed up as unpalatable.

Why is there such a demand for plastics you may be wondering. First and foremost, liquids both drinking liquids but also cleaning and lubricant liquids are containerised in plastics.  But around 40% of plastics are used in packaging. Filler plastics, protective wrappings, individual packaging, tapes and straps. The list of uses seems endless. Is it that necessary. This could be summed up as waste.

sustainable-packaging

What are the estimates of global plastic waste per annum. Hold on to your hats, Even take a seat. People on our planet, all 8 billion of us, produce around 300 million tonnes of plastic waste annually. Yes, its hard to visualize to truly appreciate these figures. Let us put into a visual context, that is like a full load of trash from a dump truck being emptied into the ocean every minute of every hour of every day for one whole year. No wonder sea level is rising!

No plastic is not the cause of sea level rise. But our plastic waste ending up in our oceans is a real and alarming fact. Everyone is responsible because we all use plastic in some form or other. Unless you are a 100 and naturalist, you are contributing to this waste accumulation on our planet, earth. We are all accountable. So what will be your next move?