Unknown to many, these household items, which many use on a regular basis, pose a threat to the environment. Many of these items are beginning to get banned worldwide.
Get to know the everyday products you need to stop using immediately.
1. Plastic bags
Considered as one of the most damaging sources of everyday pollution, non-biodegradable plastic bags clog landfill sites, break down in waterways and release toxic chemicals when burned.
2. Disposable batteries
Containing lead, cadmium and mercury that leak out into the soil and waterways, disposable batteries cause dangerous pollution. Instead of using disposable ones, opt to purchase rechargeable batteries.
3. Coffee pods
According to the National Coffee Association, 29% of US households use coffee pod machines because of its low cost and high convenience. However, billions of plastic and aluminium pods end up in landfill each year.
4. Toothpastes with plastic microbeads
The plastic microbead content of some toothpastes is considered a top contributor to the tons of plastic that enter the ocean every year. Microbeads don’t biodegrade, are too small to be collected, and attract toxic chemicals.
5. Wooden chopsticks
In order to produce 57 billion pairs of disposable chopsticks every year, four million trees have to be sacrificed. Moreover, these utensils are treated with chemical that may cause respiratory disorders. To make matters worse, Amnesty International revealed that chopsticks are sometimes produced in labor camps.
6. Wet wipes
Unlike toilet papers, wet wipes contain plastic and don’t easily break down. They usually cause blockage in sewers and end up in high volumes on beaches.
7. Plastic tea bags
This type of tea bag supposedly give a higher quality brew. However, it was discovered that plastic tea bags are resistant to composting. It is also believed to release dangerous toxins.
8. Hand soap with triclosan
The chemical triclosan has been linked to a number of health conditions and has been proven to cause cancer in mice. Triclosan can survive water treatment allowing it to end up in the ocean. As a result, it destroys bacteria that form the base of the food chain.
9. Styrofoam
Commonly used in disposable packaging, styrofoams are non-biodegradable and are difficult to recycle. When ingested, styrofoam poisons small animals.
10. Disposable razors
In the US alone, two billion razors are discarded. Its carbon-intensive production of steel and plastic and link to high water use make it an impractical choice compared to electric and straight razors.
--Mini, The Summit Express
Get to know the everyday products you need to stop using immediately.
1. Plastic bags
Considered as one of the most damaging sources of everyday pollution, non-biodegradable plastic bags clog landfill sites, break down in waterways and release toxic chemicals when burned.
2. Disposable batteries
Containing lead, cadmium and mercury that leak out into the soil and waterways, disposable batteries cause dangerous pollution. Instead of using disposable ones, opt to purchase rechargeable batteries.
3. Coffee pods
According to the National Coffee Association, 29% of US households use coffee pod machines because of its low cost and high convenience. However, billions of plastic and aluminium pods end up in landfill each year.
4. Toothpastes with plastic microbeads
The plastic microbead content of some toothpastes is considered a top contributor to the tons of plastic that enter the ocean every year. Microbeads don’t biodegrade, are too small to be collected, and attract toxic chemicals.
5. Wooden chopsticks
In order to produce 57 billion pairs of disposable chopsticks every year, four million trees have to be sacrificed. Moreover, these utensils are treated with chemical that may cause respiratory disorders. To make matters worse, Amnesty International revealed that chopsticks are sometimes produced in labor camps.
6. Wet wipes
Unlike toilet papers, wet wipes contain plastic and don’t easily break down. They usually cause blockage in sewers and end up in high volumes on beaches.
7. Plastic tea bags
This type of tea bag supposedly give a higher quality brew. However, it was discovered that plastic tea bags are resistant to composting. It is also believed to release dangerous toxins.
8. Hand soap with triclosan
The chemical triclosan has been linked to a number of health conditions and has been proven to cause cancer in mice. Triclosan can survive water treatment allowing it to end up in the ocean. As a result, it destroys bacteria that form the base of the food chain.
9. Styrofoam
Commonly used in disposable packaging, styrofoams are non-biodegradable and are difficult to recycle. When ingested, styrofoam poisons small animals.
10. Disposable razors
In the US alone, two billion razors are discarded. Its carbon-intensive production of steel and plastic and link to high water use make it an impractical choice compared to electric and straight razors.
--Mini, The Summit Express
