Blog Archives

Recycle or trash contact lenses

10/25/2024

Billions of contact lenses are thrown into sinks or toilets every year in our country which break down into microplastics and do not degrade. Dispose of contacts in the trash or through recycling programs now available in optometry offices.

The environmental impact of microplastics has been well-documented and its long-term impact on human health is being studied. Contact lenses are not innocuous despite their small size.

Read more here

Take fewer showers

10/18/2024

Showering less saves water and energy while also strengthening our immune systems and preserving more of the skin’s natural oils.

Aside from helping the planet, showering less helps strengthen our immune systems by keeping disease-fighting bacteria living on our skin. It also allows us to preserve more of our microorganisms and the skin’s natural oils. Microbes on the skin potentially stop harmful pathogens from entering the body and reduce the possibility of skin conditions.

Read more here

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Stop using gas-powered lawn equipment

10/11/2024

The inefficient technology of gas-powered lawn equipment makes them, pound for pound, more polluting than trucks and cars and exposes gardeners who operate them to carcinogenic exhaust fumes, including the concerning pollutant known as PM2.5.

Collectively, gas-powered lawn equipment contributes about 5% of U.S. CO2 emissions annually, according to the EPA, a shockingly high amount. The inefficient small engines disproportionately cause pollution and health problems. Make the switch to electric equipment and expand your landscaping to decrease the size of your lawn. In Swarthmore, you can help others make the switch to electric lawn equipment by contributing to our new initiative (Sw,eLL: Swarthmore Electric Lawns) to fund the purchase of electric technology.

Read more about the effects of gas powered equipment here at Grist.org

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Rinse before recycling

10/4/2024

Give your recyclable containers a quick rinse in cold water before tossing in the recycling bin.

Chunks of food on containers that are tossed into the mixed recycling bin can contaminate the whole load. However, your recycling does not need to be scrubbed with soap until it is sparkling clean. Give your recyclables a quick rinse, just enough to remove the food residue. Leaving a thin film on the surface is OK. To avoid using extra water, rinse them in your dirty, soapy dishwater. Put the cap or lid back on bottles and jars and give it a shake.

For more information, see this article.

Photo by Susan O'Donnell

Recycle or trash contact lenses

Take fewer showers

Stop using gas-powered lawn equipment

Rinse before recycling

Categories

Archives