For World Environment Day, GreenTerra launches a campaign to encourage our clients and readers to implement practices for:

  • Waste reduction
  • Sustainable cleaning practices
  • Conservation of resources

Every 5th of June, World Environment Day is one of the principal vehicles through which the United Nations stimulates worldwide awareness and action for the environment. It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1972 as a way to raise awareness about environmental issues and encourage people to take positive action to protect the planet.

Here are some of GreenTerra’s tips on each topic:

WASTE REDUCTION

  1. Comprehensive recycling and composting programs

    San Francisco has one of the most extensive recycling and composting programs in the country. Residents and businesses are required to separate recyclables, compostables, and landfill waste, helping to divert a significant amount of waste from landfills.

     

  2. Single-use plastic bans

    San Francisco has banned single-use plastic bags, straws, and containers in an effort to reduce plastic pollution and encourage the use of more sustainable alternatives.

     

  3. Food waste reduction programs

    San Francisco has implemented various programs to reduce food waste, including food recovery initiatives,  such as Kitchen Zero SF programs, which helped the City develop partnerships with food-generating businesses and over 50 nonprofits and food pantries to recover high quality edible food that would otherwise have gone to compost or landfill, but instead, went to feed San Franciscans in need.

     

  4. Reuse and repair through secondhand shopping

     

    San Francisco has numerous thrift stores, secondhand markets, and repair cafes where residents can donate, buy, or repair items.

SUSTAINABLE CLEANING PRACTICES

1. Eco-friendly cleaning products

Choose cleaning products that are non-toxic and biodegradable. Look for products that are labeled as eco-friendly or green.

2. Reduce water waste

Use efficient cleaning techniques and tools to minimize water usage. For example, instead of leaving the tap running while you clean, fill a bucket with water or use a spray bottle.

3. Use reusable cleaning tools

Opt for reusable cleaning tools such as microfiber cloths, mop heads, and sponges instead of disposable ones. This can help reduce the amount of waste generated during cleaning.

4. Recycle and dispose of waste properly

Make sure to separate recyclables from non-recyclables and dispose of them in the appropriate bins. If you are disposing of hazardous materials, such as batteries or electronics, make sure to do so responsibly.

5. Energy-efficient cleaning equipment

When possible, choose energy-efficient cleaning equipment such as vacuum cleaners and steam cleaners. This can help reduce energy consumption and lower your carbon footprint.

6. Waste reduction plan

Create a plan to reduce waste generation in your cleaning practices. This can include strategies such as purchasing products in bulk to reduce packaging waste, using concentrates to minimize the need for single-use containers, and implementing recycling programs.

7. Educate and train employees

Provide training for your employees on sustainable cleaning practices and the importance of environmental conservation. Encourage them to follow these practices in their daily cleaning routines.

CONSERVATION OF RESOURCES

  1. Reduce energy consumption

    Use energy-efficient appliances, turn off lights and electronics when not in use, and consider installing programmable thermostats to optimize energy usage.

  2. Water conservation

    Fix leaks, install water-saving fixtures such as low-flow toilets and faucets, collect rainwater for watering plants, and consider installing a greywater system to reuse water from sinks and showers.

  3. Waste reduction

    Reduce, reuse, and recycle as much as possible. Compost organic waste, donate items instead of throwing them away, and opt for products with minimal packaging.

  4. Sustainable transportation

    Use public transportation, carpool, bike, or walk whenever possible to reduce carbon emissions from vehicles.

  5. Sustainable landscaping

    Plant native species in your garden to support local biodiversity, use mulch to retain moisture and reduce water usage, and avoid using chemical pesticides and fertilizers.

  6. Energy-efficient lighting

    Switch to LED or CFL bulbs, use natural light whenever possible, and consider installing motion sensors to automatically turn off lights in unoccupied rooms.

  7. Reduce paper usage

    Opt for electronic communication, use both sides of paper when printing, and consider switching to digital documents and cloud storage instead of physical files.

  8. Support eco-friendly businesses

    Choose products and services from companies that prioritize sustainability and environmental conservation in their practices, like GreenTerra!

  9. Educate others

    Spread awareness about the importance of resource conservation and encourage others to adopt eco-friendly practices in their daily lives.

Keep it up GreenTerra Family, it is a long journey to implement all of these changes for World Environment Day. We understand how hard many of these changes can be, but remember: We are here to build a culture of Sustainable practices, so we can see significant change happen 10 to 100 years from now! We must all start somewhere!