COVID-19 has led to many changes in our lives, both positive and negative. The same can be said for the environmental effects of the pandemic. There was an initial reduction in travel and economic activity, resulting in tangible change in the quality of the air we breathe and a small reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. At the same time, there was a massive increase in chemical and medical waste, especially plastic, due to the increased use of PPEs, masks, disinfectants, plastic takeaway containers and single-use plastic, in general, to avoid contracting the virus.
Whether we are still stuck at home or are venturing out, there is so much we can do to be eco-friendly during COVID-19 and this un-lockdown phase. Here are 10 suggestions that will help us stay the course in our battle to fight climate change:
- An average shower uses 10 litres of water per minute. Invariably, most of us wait for the shower to heat up before we jump into it. This cold water that otherwise goes to waste, can be saved and used later for gardening, flushing the toilet, washing clothes etc.
- Plant some herbs in your kitchen. Use the shower water to water these plants.
- Reap the rewards of nurturing nature. Enjoy the clean air, spot the animals and birds, go for hikes and treks all of which makes social distancing easy.
- Keep up the lockdown crafts. Don’t buy, try DIY! Instead of throwing away clothes you do not wear, upcycle them. Make a T-shirt into a tote bag.
- Reuse glass jars by taking off the labels, another DIY solution. A bottle of ketchup, a jam-jar, oil cans and turn them into storage containers for your home. Remove the sticker by soaking it in hot water and scratching it off. If there is any residue left, use oil and scratch it off. Let’s use all the “waste” we have at home, again.
- Ditch the bag for chai time. Teabags contain billions of microplastics and aren’t recyclable. The simple act of switching to loose tea leaves instead of tea bags would help conserve our environment.
- Switch to a plant-rich diet at least once a week. Eating food that is made up of fruits and vegetables helps reduce greenhouse emissions. Not to mention the increased health benefits such as reduced risk of heart health, high blood pressure, certain cancers and diabetes.
- Eat at home! Make coffee at home! Bake a cake! Due to the pandemic, a lot of takeaway food is given in single-use plastic containers and in single-use plastic bags. In addition, some places have stopped segregating waste and recycling, further exacerbating the problem.
- The massive disruption in the food system and lack of jobs has led to an increase in hunger for India’s poor. Try to reduce food waste to try and help reduce hunger.
- Pick cloth napkins and kitchen towels over paper napkins and kitchen rolls.
Remember: you can continue to do these things even after we’ve eliminated COVID-19 from our lives.
Sources:
Funk, Anna. “Plastic Tea Bags Release Billions of Microplastics Into Every Cup.” Discover Magazine, Discover Magazine, 11 Nov. 2019.
Katherine D. McManus, MS. “What Is a Plant-Based Diet and Why Should You Try It?” Harvard Health Blog, 15 Sept. 2020.
Patel, Tanvi. “Saving Every Drop: 6 Easy & Smart Ways to Conserve Water in Your Bathroom!” The Better India, 21 Aug. 2019.
Saroj, Avinash. “COVID-19 and Its Effects on the Environment.” Times of India Blog, 29 Sept. 2020.
Tortajada, Andrea Biswas, and Cecilia Tortajada. “How COVID-19 Worsens Hunger in India, the World’s Largest Food Basket.” The Conversation, 20 Nov. 2020.
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