Sustainability is a concept that, for many people, is still vague and airy. Many don’t realize what it means: to be acting in a way that could be continued forever. In context, sustainability means not taking more resources from the planet than we are able to put back in. If your kid doesn’t understand what it is, here are seven compelling reasons to change that right away.
- Plastic use is reaching a breaking point
Plastic is not biodegradable, meaning that when we throw it away, it never disappears. Although they can be broken down into very small parts, invisible to the eye, they are still plastic. These microplastics are causing a lot of damage to marine and bird life already, and we’re at a tipping point right now. If we continue using plastics this way, every form of life on the planet will be affected – including us. Be sure to recycle your plastic materials.
- Sustainable living saves money
The principles of sustainable living include reusing and recycling, which can save a lot of money over time. These days, you can even find eco-friendly cleaning supplies like eco handwash and eco-friendly kitchen and bathroom cleaners that reduce packaging and remove toxic chemicals. You might be surprised at exactly how much you can save when you throw fewer things away – and that’s important for your child to know once they grow up and become responsible for their own finances.
- Even rubbish needs better treatment
Do you realize that you shouldn’t be throwing just everything in the bin? For example, garden waste can usually be reused in your own garden to help it flourish, or taken to a green center which will turn it into compost. If you aren’t sure what to do with it, you can just call a rubbish removal company like 1300 Rubbish to dispose of it properly and sustainably for you.
- The world is overflowing
Recently, China started refusing certain countries access to their landfill sites, and we’re facing a global crisis of rubbish disposal as a result. It sounds impossible, but some countries around the world have already exhausted their available landfill sites, and now can’t afford to dump anything else. The world is literally overflowing with rubbish, and it needs to stop.
- Sustainable living is kinder
If you care about animals, the environment, or even your future family at, you should be teaching your child sustainable living. It’s a kinder way of life that has less of a negative impact on the world around us. This is so important for children to understand.
- Wasted resources are needed
Do you ever think about the waste you throw away every week? Sometimes you might throw away food that is expired but still good; you may throw away sanitary or cosmetic products because you bought too many, or changed brands; you may throw away your child’s clothes or toys once they are outgrown. But there are people around the world who are desperately in need of these items. Every time you throw something away, those resources are lost to the world for good.
- The future is theirs
Finally, your children should learn about sustainability because it is a concentrated effort to make the world a better place and save our natural environment. Because the future belongs to your child, you should make sure they will be able to enjoy it just as you have – if not more.
Sustainability is really important, and we should be having conversations about it with everyone. It’s not just kids who need to learn about how to live sustainably, but also adults who aren’t yet aware. If you can change one person, their impact can have a huge ripple effect on them.
About the Author: Melanie Saunders is a blogger and content manager at 1300 Rubbish – experts in the field of rubbish and junk removal. Personally, a huge fan of sustainability and green living.
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