#EarthDay2018
How will waste be managed by future generations?
According to the World Bank report, ‘What a waste’, cities across the world currently generate about 1.3 billion tonnes of solid waste per year. This is expected to increase to 2.2 billion tonnes by 2025.
Consumer products are becoming more diverse, and are being consumed – and – disposed of in greater volumes. As landfills are quickly filling up, alternative solutions to how we manage waste are actively being sought. We are faced with issues including greenhouse gas emissions, unsanitary public spaces, growing energy demand, low recycling rates, foul odour and lack of space.
As these challenges emerge, organisations and governments across the world are looking at sustainable, innovative and cost-effective ways with how to manage our trash.
Many young people today are aware of these challenges. They care about the environment and want to protect it. Research suggests that when it comes to environmental challenges, young people want to herald change. In recent years, the innovative spirit among young people and those targeting the young adult market has been gaining in popularity.
Here is some of 2018’s pioneering waste-management initiatives:
Pokémon Go Earth Day Cleanup
#PokemonGOEarthDay #PokemonGo #EarthCleanUp
If you are looking to make a difference this Earth Day and want to go catch Pokémon, look no further – Pokémon Go has got you covered! Game developers Niantic Labs have partnered with Mission Blue, Playmob and various non-profit organisations to get players to participate in the clean-up events happening worldwide. Groups will get together and pick up litter as they earn rewards playing the game.
According to the Verge, by helping clean up, trainers will catch even more ground, water, and grass-type Pokémon at an exponential rate for 48 hours. “Earth Day is an incredible movement and opportunity to team up with friends and neighbors to focus on making the world and our own communities healthy and sustainable,” says John Hanke, CEO of Niantic.
What an innovative way to engage young people to care about the environment!
Find out more on this innitiative here: www.pokemongolive.com/en/events/earth-day/
Plogging
#plogging #jogging #environment #ecofitness
Plogging is quickly becoming the hottest fitness trend of 2018.
Originating from Sweden, plogging is a mix of the words jogging and the Swedish ‘plocka upp’, meaning to pick up. Ever noticed litter such as cigarette butts, food wrappers or plastic bottles on your jogging route? This eco-friendly exercise combines the endorphin rush of jogging with the environmental benefits of picking up trash and litter around you.
In fact, the trend has become so popular that fitness app’s such as Lifesum allows its participants to track their plogging activities as a workout.
An increasing awareness and fear over plastic levels in the ocean are often attributed to the gaining popularity of this activity worldwide.
If you haven’t already, perhaps it’s time to embrace this trend of picking up litter while you jog!
Trash Hero
#TrashHero #togetherwemakeadifference #awesome
From going on a quest to help an Octopus prevent plastic pollution from harming sea life;
to tackling questions such as ‘Why is litter important?’ or ‘What can I do to help?’; to out-of-the-box educational project collaborations with local schools and hands-on clean-up events – Trash Hero is paving the way in inspiring young minds to foster lifelong sustainable behaviors through innovation, creativity and more importantly, fun!
A child’s education plays a vital part in their development. This ideology sets the foundation of Trash Hero’s innovative projects that aim to educate children about how to responsibly manage trash in their communities, particularly plastic waste, driving an overall message of zero-waste living.
Research suggests that plastic pollution, particularly in South East Asian (SEA) countries is reaching critical proportions.
Awareness of the issue in SEA countries remains low, and education on the matter is limited or not put into practice. To mitigate this issue, Trash Hero distributes a free book and T-shirt package to children in South East Asian countries amongst its other projects.
“Trash Hero’s concept is that we don’t want to blame anybody or just talk about the problems. We’d rather provide solutions because ultimately, actions speak louder than words,” explains Trash Hero World’s co-founder Roman Peter.
To date, this volunteer run global movement is active in over 50 countries worldwide.
Anyone can be a Trash Hero, find out how , visit: https://trashhero.org
This year’s Earth Day, on 22 April, will be dedicated to providing the information and inspiration needed to change human attitude and behavior about plastics.
Which of the initiatives above would you participate in? Know of other innovative ways waste is being managed? Tell us in the comments on our Facebook or Instagram page.
#hummingbag
Hummingbag believes that small actions can achieve big things. Hummingbag was founded on
a passionate belief in the power of collective action. Our parent company, KeepCool USA, pioneered reusable bags in the USA. Our core business is designing, manufacturing and distributing customizable, reusable shoppers and cooler bags. More than just reusable bags, it is a lifestyle choice. Each bag is practical, durable and stylish (not to mention mindfully made with love for our earth). Click here and find out about our exclusive label ‘I Used To Be A Plastic Bottle’.
