On a normal day, a person in our country can generate 1.3 kilos of garbage. However, during the celebration of national holidays, this number is multiplied by 6, which means that During each day of celebration, around 8 kilos of garbage per person would be generated.
Considering that this year the activities could last about a week, an educational talk called “The value of our waste” at the Los Angeles Campus, led by the Comuna Sin Basura challenge, a CMPC program, with the support of the University of Concepción, an event that was made possible thanks to this alliance that seeks to build a common environmental purpose between public and private organizations, citizens and the municipality to jointly take charge of the garbage problem.
The program coordinator for the commune of Los Angeles, Pilar Henriquez, He explained that “first we must emphasize trying to make a change in the paradigm, because Half of our garbage bag is organic waste that we could compost, and there is about another 20% that is recyclable, so if we followed all the steps to reduce waste, our final garbage bag would be only 15% of what we are generating.o”.
In addition to explaining the differences between the products that are bought every day and can be recycled, the talk also gave advice on how to reduce the environmental impact during this and other celebrations.
First of all, it is important to consider that at mass events there is more waste generated, so “we are always invited to carry around your reusable utensils such as straws, glasses or bottles, which we can carry in our purse or backpack, and take them everywhere.”
A second point is to plan ahead about the amount of food you are going to use, and avoid wasting food due to excess. Also, always have options for that food, “and if there is any left over, reuse it in a classic soup or salad,” the professional suggested.
Third, avoid decorating with single-use plastics, such as balloons. In this sense, the invitation is to make decorations with fabric or paper, even crochet, saving them for the following year and thus reusing the material.
The fourth piece of advice was regarding barbecues, since “the invitation is that, if we can, we should use energy sources that do not generate as much atmospheric pollution as would be the case with electric or gas grills. If charcoal or firewood is going to be used, it is ideal to be sure that it is not damp or wet to generate less particulate material.“, explained Henriquez.
Finally, people were encouraged to share vehicles to travel to places where family activities will take place, among friends, or to visit the fondas organized by each city.
In this way, a call was made to celebrate these national holidays, as well as other celebrations, being aware of the impact that each person leaves on the environment, and therefore, also having the responsibility to make good use of the clean points that the city has, to separate, clean and dry what can be deposited, with the objective of recycling it and reducing the impact on our planet.
How can families reduce waste during national holidays?
Table of Contents
Reducing Waste and Environmental Impact during National Holidays: A Call to Action
As national holidays approach, people around the country are gearing up to celebrate with friends and family. However, amidst the festivities, it’s essential to remember the significant environmental impact that these celebrations can have. Did you know that on a normal day, an individual generates around 1.3 kilos of garbage? But during national holidays, this number increases dramatically, with each person producing approximately 8 kilos of waste per day. This staggering statistic highlights the need for us to take action and make a conscious effort to reduce our waste and environmental footprint.
The Value of Waste: An Educational Initiative
In an effort to raise awareness about this critical issue, the Comuna Sin Basura challenge, a CMPC program, in collaboration with the University of Concepción, organized an educational talk titled “The Value of Our Waste” at the Los Angeles Campus. This initiative aims to promote a shared environmental purpose among public and private organizations, citizens, and the municipality to address the garbage problem.
Pilar Henriquez, program coordinator for the commune of Los Angeles, emphasized the need to change our paradigm and adopt sustainable practices. “Half of our garbage bag is organic waste that we could compost, and there’s about another 20% that is recyclable. If we followed all the steps to reduce waste, our final garbage bag would be only 15% of what we’re generating today.”
Practical Tips for Reducing Waste during National Holidays
Here are some practical tips shared during the talk to help reduce waste and environmental impact during national holidays:
- Carry reusable utensils: Bring your reusable straws, glasses, or bottles to reduce single-use plastics.
- Plan ahead: Plan your food and avoid wasting excess food due to over-preparation. Consider reusing leftovers in creative ways, such as soups or salads.
- Say no to single-use plastics: Opt for decorations made from fabric, paper, or crochet instead of balloons. You can also reuse these decorations for future celebrations.
- Use eco-friendly energy sources: When using barbecues, choose energy sources that generate less atmospheric pollution, such as electric or gas grills. If using charcoal or firewood, ensure they are dry to minimize particulate material.
- Carpool and share vehicles: Encourage friends and family to share vehicles when traveling to celebration venues, reducing the number of cars on the road.
Taking Responsibility for the Environment
As we celebrate national holidays, it’s essential to remember the impact we have on the environment. By taking simple steps to reduce waste and adopting sustainable practices, we can make a significant difference. This year, let’s make a conscious effort to separate, clean, and dry waste, utilizing the city’s clean points to recycle and minimize our environmental footprint.
By working together, we can create a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable future for generations to come.
Optimized Keywords: waste management, national holidays, environmental impact, sustainable practices, reduce waste, Comuna Sin Basura, The Value of Our Waste, Pilar Henriquez, University of Concepción, CMPC program.
How can individuals reduce waste generation during national celebrations?
The Alarming Truth: Celebrations and Waste Generation
As the nation prepares to celebrate national holidays, a disturbing reality comes to the forefront. On a normal day, an individual in our country generates approximately 1.3 kilos of garbage. However, during these celebrations, this number skyrockets to a staggering 8 kilos per person per day. This means that for every day of celebration, we are producing a staggering 6 times more waste than usual.
The Value of Our Waste
In an effort to raise awareness about this pressing issue, the Comuna Sin Basura challenge, a program initiated by CMPC, in collaboration with the University of Concepción, organized an educational talk titled “The Value of Our Waste” at the Los Angeles Campus. The program coordinator, Pilar Henriquez, emphasized the need for a paradigm shift in our approach to waste management.
The Hidden Truth: Organic Waste and Recycling
Henriquez pointed out that a significant portion of our waste, about 50%, is comprised of organic waste that can be composted. Additionally, around 20% of our waste is recyclable. This means that if we follow proper waste reduction steps, our final garbage bag would be only 15% of what we are currently generating.
Reducing Environmental Impact
The talk provided valuable insights and practical tips on reducing our environmental footprint during celebrations. Here are some key takeaways:
- Carry reusable utensils: Always carry reusable straws, glasses, or bottles to reduce single-use plastics.
- Plan your food: Avoid food waste by planning meals and using leftovers creatively.
- Decorate sustainably: Opt for fabric, paper, or crochet decorations instead of single-use plastics like balloons.
- Eco-friendly barbecues: Use energy sources that generate less pollution, and ensure charcoal or firewood is dry to minimize particulate material.
- Share vehicles: Encourage carpooling to reduce the number of vehicles on the road.
The Call to Action
As we prepare to celebrate our national holidays, we must be aware of the impact our actions have on the environment. It is our responsibility to utilize the clean points provided by the city, separating, cleaning, and drying waste to facilitate recycling and minimize our ecological footprint. By adopting these simple yet effective practices, we can significantly reduce waste generation and contribute to a cleaner, healthier planet.
The Power of Collaboration
The success of the “The Value of Our Waste” talk is a testament to the power of collaboration between public and private organizations, citizens, and the municipality. By working together, we can build a common environmental purpose and tackle the garbage problem head-on.
The Future of Waste Management
As we move forward, it is crucial that we prioritize waste reduction, recycling, and sustainable practices. By doing so, we can create a better future for ourselves and future generations. The time to act is now, and it starts with each one of us making conscious choices to reduce, reuse, and recycle.
Keywords: waste generation, national holidays, celebrations, environmental impact, recycling, waste reduction, sustainable practices, eco-friendly, collaboration, Comuna Sin Basura challenge, CMPC, University of Concepción.
