All articles tagged with #reuse
Reusing single-use plastics, such as water bottles and takeout containers, may seem like a sustainable practice, but it can pose health risks and environmental concerns. These plastics are not designed for repeated use and can degrade, potentially releasing harmful chemicals. Instead, opting for reusable alternatives can more effectively reduce your carbon footprint and support sustainability efforts.
Solar eclipse glasses that meet the safety standard ISO 12312-2 can be reused for future eclipses, including the 2026 event visible over Greenland, Iceland, Spain, Russia, and parts of Europe, Africa, and North America, as well as the 2044 eclipse over the contiguous United States. However, damaged or older glasses should be discarded, and organizations like Eclipse Glasses USA and Astronomers Without Borders are collecting used glasses for donation to schools and individuals in areas where future eclipses will be visible.
The American Astronomical Society advises that modern eclipse glasses don't expire and can be reused for future eclipses as long as they meet safety standards, or donated to organizations like Astronomers Without Borders and Eclipse Glasses USA to benefit others in need. If you choose to dispose of them, the cardboard frames can be recycled, but the lenses should be thrown in the trash.
If you're wondering what to do with your solar eclipse glasses now that the event has passed, consider donating them to Astronomers Without Borders, a nonprofit organization collecting glasses to distribute around the world for future eclipses. Most glasses shouldn't be used if they're more than three years old, and it will be decades before another eclipse in the U.S. Donating your glasses could give them another life and help others safely experience the next eclipse.
Decades of recycling hype have led to a recycling bias and reduction neglect, where people prioritize recycling over waste reduction and reuse, according to two nationwide surveys conducted in the US. Experts argue that the most sustainable option is to focus on waste reduction and reuse, rather than relying solely on recycling. The current US recycling system places the burden on consumers to separate recyclable materials, leading to wishcycling and contamination issues. Instead, experts suggest holding producers responsible for disposal, covering recycling costs, and designing goods that are easy to recycle. It is time to shift the focus from recycling as a solution to overproduction and consumption, and prioritize waste reduction and reuse.
The United Nations Environment Programme has released a report outlining a roadmap for governments and businesses to reduce plastic pollution by 80% by 2040. The report recommends promoting reuse of plastics, scaling up recycling levels, and discontinuing fossil fuel subsidies that make new plastic products cheaper. The use of appropriate alternative materials for single-use products could also reduce plastic pollution. The investment needed for the changes is estimated to cost around $65 billion a year, but moving to an economy where plastic is reused and recycled could bring $3.25 trillion in savings by 2040.
King Charles will wear clothing previously worn by his predecessors, including his mother and grandfather, for his coronation next week, in the interests of sustainability and efficiency. Among the vestments to reappear will be the coronation glove made for his grandfather, George VI. Charles will also wear his grandfather's 'Colobium Sindonis' - a white linen shift-like tunic, and the sword belt he wore, again eschewing the tradition of having a new one made. Other regalia Charles will don during the service, whose roots date back 1,000 years to his Norman predecessors, includes the 'supertunica', a full-length, sleeved coat of gold silk, which was made for the coronation of King George V, Charles' great-grandfather, and worn by subsequent monarchs including Elizabeth.