Within just 3 months, 5,500 metric tonnes of facemasks were produced according to statistics from Greenpeace. Multiply this times three and you can get an estimate of how many unrecyclable masks have ended up in our environment. Due to the risk of contamination, these plastic goods are single-use and not suitable for recycling. Instead, they fall into a category between “general waste” and “medical waste”.
With a lifespan of 450 years, these masks will be the inheritance left to the next generations. They often end up in our waterways and nature, causing a threat to wildlife, which often gets tangled in the strings or mistaken the plastic for food. Plastic masks are largely made of polypropylene (PP) which not only takes a long time to degrade but also releases dangerous chemicals in the process.
These figures are distressing considering the already alarming amount of plastic waste that ends up in the oceans: that’s 8 million tonnes of plastic per year, adding to the already circulating 150 million tonnes…
Plastic masks have been introduced at a time when we are already clearly drowning in plastic.
So, what is the direct effect on humans?
The plastic consumed by marine animals builds up the food-chain for future generations. Our grandchildren may end up eating plastic in their dinner and drinking chemicals from our water supplies. Can you imagine seasoning your meal with lead, cadmium, and mercury? Not the tastiest spice mix – we believe.
Truth is, we experience the pollution effects of plastic masks before we even use them. Producing any type of plastic gives off dangerous fumes, transmitting chemicals directly into our air, soil, and water.
Plastic toxins are carcinogenic and a major cause of kidney, heart, and digestive system issues. They also increase the risk of diabetes, birth defects, and many other severe conditions.
What can you do to minimize damage?
If you need to wear a face mask, there a couple of small changes you should consider.
We suggest you purchase a material mask, which you can re-use after washing.
When the time comes to throw it away, at least cut off the strings to prevent wildlife from becoming entangled in it.
Be sure to dispose of it correctly. It is, unfortunately, impossible to use the recycling bins for this means, but be sure to throw your used masks into the general household rubbish bin.
minimize singe-usage protection Another dark side of corona prevention measures are plastic gloves and plastic goggles (or screens) – together with the face masks, they create a new breed of marine pollution. Different preventative tools, same devastating environmental impact. So, we appeal to you conscious readers, to try to minimize single-usage protection where possible. With governments prolonging safety measures into the unknown future, it is important that we remain environmentally aware.
Keep up the good changes!
On a lighter note, the carbon dioxide emission levels have significantly lowered since March. People have been working from their homes (meaning, traveling less by car and public transport – 23% of all CO2 emissions), and traveling less by plane.
Question is, how long will these figures last. While travel expands the mind and generally serves our personal development, we can always rethink the means by which we travel. Perhaps we can reach our destination by train or ship, instead of catching a flight?
Hopefully, we can enjoy the fresher air a while longer, however, we would need to change our priorities and lifestyles…The demand for fuels and metals have dropped at a record low, however, the stock-lists are now reaching a record high, so emissions might reach a peak later…
In terms of working from home – we believe that there will be more flexibility in remote work when life returns back to normal. This will also cut down on pollution, and give people more freedom and time to spend with their families. To focus on core values. Which would serve our environment greatly.
Big changes are happening right now, and we need to observe them with an open awareness (and take action where necessary – for example, by finding alternative solutions to plastic masks, gloves, and shields).
Keep questioning what’s going on, and be the change you want to see in the world. It all starts with one.
- Written by Michelle Prygiel
We live in a society surrounded by plastic. Just take one glance at the products in the supermarket - just how many do you see that are not wrapped in plastic? But not only food is covered in plastic: we are covered in it as well.
It’s great that you regularly clean your house, but what do those detergents actually contain? It could be that besides clearing away allergens, pathogens and contaminants, they are also emitting dangerous toxins in your living space. Luckily, we can safely make sustainable options for cheap!
Are we really wanting to replace nature, instead of living more consciously? How about giving bees and butterflies a little boost by creating a garden with their favorite plants?
We all want to help out Mother Earth. She is having a hard time right now, dealing with important matters such as deforestation, pollution, toxic waters, mono agriculture, and many more. A large part of this is caused by human interference - so it is also in our power to put things right. Today, Thursday the 22st of April, marks Earth Day, which is the perfect excuse for all of us to do something worthwhile. Of course, we’d love to see all 365 days be Earth Day, but it’s a step in the right direction!
Surely, we are aware that breathing is essential for life. Why not improve its quality so we feel great?
You might have walked past them and confused it with modern street art, or you already know them; Worm hotels. Currently, Amsterdam counts more than 100 of these creative towers that produce fertile compost from our organic waste.
Wouldn’t it be great if we all could create a fully ecological and circular lifestyle? This might seem like an impossible or expensive goal - but the truth is that there are many easy and affordable options to become more green! The key-word here is: “Permaculture”.
What can we do to do better? Big cosmetic manufacturers promote their products as working wonders for beauty, meanwhile, most of them are packed with ingredients which some we wouldn’t even use to renovate our house with. And, despite the worldwide ban since 2018 on animal testing, in 2020 the EU declared it “needs” to test two types of chemicals on animals.
We’re so used to having clean water on tap. We start our day, take a quick shower, brush our teeth and pour ourselves a hot boiling cup of tea. But most of us don’t realize just how much water a day we actually use.
Can you also not wait for Spring to begin? The first warm days and rays of sun already greeted us the past few days. After some turbulent times when not only the cold weather forced us to stay inside, we are grateful for the first signs of spring. But this year things are a bit different. On your first flower-filled spring walk you might find just as many disposed facemasks as flowers in the flowerbeds. The corona measures have created a new breed of pollution.
During the cold months, due to the layer of snow, it becomes difficult for birds to find their feed. Plants become scarce and seeds are often blown away by the wind. This is when hanging feeders or seed blocks can be vital for their survival.
According to machine learning and AI scientists – robot insects will swarm our skies. One of them is Robofly, an insect-sized, wireless robot able to fly, walk and drift on surfaces. It is inspired fully by nature – meaning, if you saw this robot next to a real fly, you wouldn’t tell the difference.
Fashion is meant to be fun, meant to last you long, and meant to help you self-express and experiment. And luckily, all of this is still possible in the 21st century. We only need to slow it down a bit.
Rather than wasting time on setting unachievable goals for the new year, we’d very much rather see everyone aspiring to feel better in 2021 - instead of filling the void with unnecessary purchases or to-do lists. Therefore, we have conducted a list of sustainable tips and tricks for a happier and healthier lifestyle.
Ever since the 15th century, animal species around us have been gradually disappearing off the surface of the Earth due to human intervention. This number has been consistently rising.
Within just 3 months, 5,500 metric tonnes of facemasks were produced according to statistics from Greenpeace. Multiply this times three and you can get an estimate of how many unrecyclable masks have ended up in our environment.
The Conscious Club is going to make it happen during two events held at the studio in collaboration with Talking Trees! There will be two Talking Plant concerts led by Bert Barten on Sunday the 29th of Novemberat 12:15 – 13:15 and 13:45 – 14:45, who will… make our plant wall sing!
Last year, thousands rushed to the streets making a stand for saving the planet, it has been widely discussed in politics, and in the same year, we raised millions for the Ocean Cleanup. All this to save ourselves from drowning in our own rubbish!
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The threat they faced by Polar Bears is real and terrifying. In honor of International Polar Bear Day, we want to spread awareness about its extinction rate and inspire change.
A new development in domestic environmental law is for States to recognize Rights of Nature. This article introduces the concept of Rights of Nature towards opening a discussion as to how this concept might be used in climate change litigation.
The Conscious Club in Amsterdam is going fully homegrown and vegan. Check out why the Circular Economy is the best way to save our planet and read our tips & tricks on how to reduce your own footprint.
Leather has long been seen as a superior material because of its sturdiness and long lifespan. Perhaps it is easy to assume that expensive leather products last longer than faux alternatives, but is this the truth? It is time for some facts and fables on the outdated status of leather and its horrible impact on the environment.
Slow fashion criticizes the principles of fast fashion, such as producing the largest amount of clothes in the shortest amount of time. This article describes what a shift from fast to slow fashion would do for our planet and all of its living inhabitants.
Yes, you read that right, trees can glow! This may be the solution for a future where we rely less on electricity and unsustainable technology.
Simple homemade almond milk that's creamy, delicious, and entirely customizable! Perfect for cereal, baking, and drinking straight alongside baked goods
Soil. It’s everywhere, yet we rarely take it into consideration. Even though it plays such an important role in our biodiversity system and directly affects the quality of the fruits and veggies we put on the table. End-in-end, it has a huge effect on our health.