Climate change is one of the biggest issues that we are facing today. It has an impact on every aspect of our lives, including our financial, medical and mental wellbeing. A new study by packaging company RAJA UK has revealed the amount of waste that isn’t recycled and the financial costs if reusing and recycling techniques aren’t incorporated into our lifestyles. Here are some of the concerns of not recycling or reusing, as well as tips to help you repurpose unwanted items and save money in the long run.
The impact on humans
Humans are feeling the pressure of pollution, seeing evidence in both our food streams and airways. So much so, it is estimated that the average person eats five grams a week in microplastics. That is the equivalent weight of one credit card a week, which will equal a staggering 468 credit cards ingested by 2030. These microplastics can carry a plethora of contaminants including trace metals and chemicals. Due to their contents, microplastics can have both carcinogen and mutagenic properties, meaning they can potentially cause cancer or cause mutations in your DNA.
It’s not just in our food that is impacting our health. The Royal Society of Medicine has uncovered that the rapid rise of pollution in the air has resulted in 6,000 people in the UK, who have never smoked, dying of lung cancer. Heart-related mortality is also projected to increase in the UK by 167% by the 2050s. If things do not change, pollution will have a costly impact on our health. The UK government announced in 2018 that unless immediate action is taken, the health and social care costs of air pollution could reach £5.3 billion by 2035.
The impact on different species
Waste that isn’t being reused or recycled often ends up in landfills and incineration. Excess waste, however, can end up making its way to the ocean or other habitats, seriously endangering the creatures that call it home. It is even estimated that 267 species worldwide are being affected by plastic pollution and, as a result, over 700 species are at risk of becoming extinct.
Plastic pollution is one of the biggest threats to our ocean wildlife. It is estimated that plastic debris kills over a million seabirds a year, both through ingestion and entanglement. Sea turtles are also bearing the brunt of plastic not being disposed of in the correct manner, as over 1,000 sea turtles die annually after being caught up in plastic. What’s more, Professor Brendan Godly from the University of Exeter states that this number is a gross understatement.
Plastic debris in our waters causes a negative chain reaction in our ecosystem, which is incredibly difficult to reverse. It also results in the need for human intervention to step in and preserve these species, which is often a costly process. An assessment from a selection of conservation groups and universities estimated that reducing the risk of extinction for all threatened species would cost nearly £3 billion a year, with an additional £47.4 billion required annually to manage protected areas from hunting and habitat destruction.
The impact on the environment
The recent influxes in extreme weather conditions are a direct result of climate change. These can include landslides, flooding and droughts. It is expected southern and south-east Europe will face increased issues in water scarcity, which will have a detrimental impact on agriculture. This will lead to much smaller yields and dramatically decreasing food production, all of which can cost the UK £3.21 billion annually and up to $10.6 billion (£7.7 billion) each year globally.
Items you can recycle or reuse
There are many items that you can recycle or reuse that don’t get enough attention. We’ve provided a few surprisingly sustainable items that you can recycle next time.
Carpet: Over 500,000 tonnes of carpet waste is produced each year in the UK. Get crafty and save money by repurposing the carpet. You could make a new rug, a cat scratching mat or a floor mat to remove dirt before you step into your home. If you don’t want to reuse it, take it to your nearest carpet recycling centre.
Bubble wrap: Bubble wrap has many other uses beyond keeping your fragile items protected. It acts as the perfect insulation for windows in the colder months. Repurpose it by using it in your home or your greenhouse as insulation, keeping your space warmer and saving money on your energy bill. When the cold season is over, take it down and store it away for next winter or take it to your nearest recycling centre.
Batteries: The UK sends 22,000 batteries to landfill every year instead of recycling them. These batteries contain hazardous materials such as lead, mercury and lithium that leach into the soil. Properly dispose of your batteries by taking them to a designated collection point, or opt for rechargeable batteries to reduce your waste.
