Sustainability is no longer just a buzzword; it’s a way of life that everyone worldwide should follow. Over the last decade, there has been a clear shift in mindset and momentum whereby people are becoming more conscious of their impact on society after years of industry and waste have caused humanity to be negatively affected by climate change and pollution.
We can all do our part to change the world in small and large ways by changing our habits and being mindful of how our actions shape the environment today and in the future. We have started to think about what we will leave behind for our children to ensure that we live in a symbiotic relationship with the natural world. Below we highlight several vital ways companies make a difference in the world and produce sustainable products for a better tomorrow.
Electricity and what is required to produce it are now being viewed in a new light. There’s no longer a need to be reliant on the power network to distribute and create your own electricity. “Living off the grid” isn’t as difficult as it used to be as more and more companies offer solar power solutions.
Solar power uses the heat from the sun to create electricity that is just as adequately able to run an entire house or business, depending on your setup. Countries such as South Africa should view solar power as an even more attractive option due to the scarcity of electricity and rising costs. If you live in an environment with a lot of sun, then this resource should definitely be used and is being used as a sustainable source of energy.
PRS Geotechnologies is now a prominent feature of the engineering world as this industry also turns towards sustainable and cost-effective solutions to suit various needs. By using recyclable materials that last long and are not harmful to the environment, Geocells are changing how we view road creation and soil stabilization.
This green technology is now being used in over 75 countries. It uses available resources to apply innovative engineering to forest and logging roads, log yard stabilization, airport stormwater management, oil and gas exploration access roads, and various other sectors that require sustainable solutions that have been overlooked for so long.
The most popularized push for sustainability has been brought on by the amount of single-use plastic wreaking havoc on our local environments. Most of the time, this comes from the overuse of plastic in packages and other materials that keep up when thrown away. This leads to them existing in landfills and dumped in the ocean, where they destroy natural environments.
One solution is the introduction of biodegradable packaging that disintegrates into the soil and is not harmful to the environment after it is disposed of. This is necessary as this packaging can also contain materials that can benefit the ground and provide nutrients to help natural ecosystems grow.
We can all do our part to change the world in small and large ways by changing our habits and being mindful of how our actions shape the environment today and in the future. We have started to think about what we will leave behind for our children to ensure that we live in a symbiotic relationship with the natural world. Below we highlight several vital ways companies make a difference in the world and produce sustainable products for a better tomorrow.
Solar power technology
Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/iip-photo-archive/22307795090
Electricity and what is required to produce it are now being viewed in a new light. There’s no longer a need to be reliant on the power network to distribute and create your own electricity. “Living off the grid” isn’t as difficult as it used to be as more and more companies offer solar power solutions.
Solar power uses the heat from the sun to create electricity that is just as adequately able to run an entire house or business, depending on your setup. Countries such as South Africa should view solar power as an even more attractive option due to the scarcity of electricity and rising costs. If you live in an environment with a lot of sun, then this resource should definitely be used and is being used as a sustainable source of energy.
Geocells
This green technology is now being used in over 75 countries. It uses available resources to apply innovative engineering to forest and logging roads, log yard stabilization, airport stormwater management, oil and gas exploration access roads, and various other sectors that require sustainable solutions that have been overlooked for so long.
Biodegradable packaging
Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/ellwoodthompsons/3045588909/
The most popularized push for sustainability has been brought on by the amount of single-use plastic wreaking havoc on our local environments. Most of the time, this comes from the overuse of plastic in packages and other materials that keep up when thrown away. This leads to them existing in landfills and dumped in the ocean, where they destroy natural environments.
One solution is the introduction of biodegradable packaging that disintegrates into the soil and is not harmful to the environment after it is disposed of. This is necessary as this packaging can also contain materials that can benefit the ground and provide nutrients to help natural ecosystems grow.
Electric-powered cars
Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/opengridscheduler/27636497562
Emissions from cars have, for a long time, been a significant source of fossil fuels that promote climate change. For this reason, companies such as Toyota, the Prius, BMW, their i3, and most famously, Tesla have worked hard to create a solution and an alternative mode of transport that is not toxic to the environment.
There has been a lot of trial and error, but we are finally seeing their efforts paying off with many cars now available that do not harm the environment and are just as efficient as regular cars. While technology improves, this provides us with hope for a future that doesn’t involve us driving gas-guzzling machines. This could also mean more unmistakable air and hope that we will be exposed to fewer toxic chemicals in our cities.
Eco-friendly clothing
The question is – what will we do with all this plastic in the ocean? One alternative solution is that this plastic is recycled to be made into clothing, offering a sustainable alternative to what clothes are regularly made of.Many major football teams, such as Manchester United and Real Madrid, have adopted third and fourth kits that use these materials and raise funds to help clean the environment. We can now imagine a future where recycling becomes the norm and a more effective way of using unrecyclable materials to contribute positively to society rather than negatively.
Reusable everyday items
Image source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/glassdharma/18198642945
While restaurants are inclined to give paper straws rather than plastic these days, you may have seen people bringing metal and glass straws to the table. This is but a snapshot of how reusable items are replacing single-use things that are causing so much harm to the environment.
The options are endless; if you have the time and are dedicated to creating sustainable futures, it’s never been easier to succeed. Material shopping bags, silicon teabags and sandwich bags, bamboo cutlery, and a wide variety of other everyday items now have a sustainable alternative that will introduce us to a brighter, healthier future where we keep our natural ecosystems clean and thriving.