For those who care about sustainability, protecting yourself from the COVID-19 pandemic may have caused some internal-conflict. With all the extra products that we’ve had to use to stay safe, Is it even possible to be environmentally friendly during COVID-19?
During this pandemic we have all found ourselves using items to protect ourselves that we wouldn’t ordinarily use. Things like face masks, excessive amounts of hand sanitiser and cleaning products, as well as rubber gloves and excess paper towel. On top of that, as restrictions are lifted and we head back out in to the world we are now faced with things that would have caused an uproar in a pre-COVID world. We’re back to seeing items like single-use cutlery, individually wrapped plastic straws, extra packaging, and disposable cups – all in place to keep us safe from germs, so it’s hard to be too mad about it.
So, how can we protect ourselves from COVID-19 while still remaining focused on sustainability? It may be a bit tricky, but there are some simple ways to remain a friend to the earth, while still protecting yourself.
Recycling
At the moment you are likely using a bunch of products you’ve never used before (please don’t stop using them, they are keeping you safe), so you may not be sure what can be recycled and what can’t. You’re doing the earth a big favour by properly recycling. Here’s a quick list to help you out:
- Aerosol cans – Great news! Those cans of disinfectant spray you’ve been using are recyclable! Empty, intact aerosol cans can be safely recycled along with other metal packaging. If the aerosol can isn’t empty, it should be disposed of through your council’s hazardous waste program.
- Rubber and plastic gloves – These items are unfortunately not recyclable so please pop them in the bin
- Face masks – Disposable face masks are non-recyclable, please place them in with regular rubbish
- Tissues & Paper Towels – non-recyclable, they also head straight for the bin
- Hand Sanitiser Bottles – Empty and rinsed out bottles can go in the recycling, the lids and pumps are to go in with regular rubbish
- Wipes – Wipes go in with the regular rubbish. Please don’t ever flush them, even if they say flushable as they clog up sewer and septic systems
- Disinfectant Wipes Canister – The good news is that the canister the wipes came in is recyclable!
During this period there have been a lot of reports of rubber gloves and face masks being discarded on the ground in car parks and at shopping centres. It’s always a great idea to keep a small garbage bin or bag in your car, particularly at a time like this.
Single Use Items
As you head back to work, remember that now is not the time to share food, mugs, glasses, plates, or cutlery in the office. Your workplace is likely putting measures in place to keep you and your coworkers safe from infection. This could mean providing you with individually wrapped snacks in the break room (say goodbye to the communal biscuit jar!), single use plastic cutlery, plates, and coffee cups. All that plastic! Try to remember though that these days a lot of these items are recyclable, and/or biodegradable so where you can make sure you dispose of them thoughtfully. If you’re still not comfortable using single use alternatives why not pack yourself a kit for work. Bring your own mug, water bottle, plate, and cutlery. And while you’re at it it’s a great idea to keep a stash of your own cleaning products at your desk too. While workplaces have certainly stepped up cleaning there’s certainly no harm in giving your own personal workspace that extra clean.
Do More
If you’re feeling worried about the added stress we are putting on the planet remember that this is temporary. Eventually we will be able to ease up on the use of heavy chemicals, and extra plastics, we’ll even be able to share kitchen items at work again.
One way to feel a little more comfortable with these temporary changes is to make a difference elsewhere. Sustainability work can be done in many areas, and there may be an opportunity for you to focus your sustainability efforts elsewhere. For example now is a great time to ditch fast fashion. Did you know that in Australia we send 85% of the textiles we buy to landfill every year? Fast fashion is one of the biggest polluters in the world, second only to the oil industry. If you’re looking for a way to offset some of your extra usage of plastics and chemicals right now, why not take a look at your wardrobe. Instead of sending items off to landfill try upcycling them, get creative and breathe new life in to an old garment. Swap old clothes with friends, or, next time you need some retail therapy try second hand and charity shops instead of hitting the mall. It all adds up!
