By Kim Sun-ae
We see an enormous amount of waste piled up every day in front of each apartment building here in Korea. After looking at the waste one day, I wondered, "Where does it all go?"
The recyclable waste goes to recycling collection sites, where recyclables are piled up like mountains, which workers sort through in very bad working conditions. The waste that cannot be recycled goes to landfills or incinerating plants.
We have thrown away too many things. The waste we have generated pollutes the soil, the sea and air. And the harmful substances from the polluted environment return to us through what we eat.
Moreover, greenhouse gases are emitted in the process of producing, distributing and discarding products. And these gases remain in the atmosphere for hundreds of years. Facing the issues of environmental pollution and the climate crisis due to greenhouse gas emissions, we need to buy less, use less and throw out less.
If we have fewer things, they are more precious. When we possess too many things, we become less grateful for what we have. In our apartment complex, we cannot use hot water for about 10 days every summer. After using only cold water during the period, I'm happy and grateful whenever I use hot water, because I remember the time when we couldn't use it.
These days we have to wear masks due to the pandemic. But I sometimes feel uncomfortable using disposable masks, which generate more plastic waste. So I use a cotton mask when going to places which are not enclosed, for example when taking a walk. I feel more comfortable wearing a cotton mask because I can wash and reuse it.
After reading a book on zero waste and sustainable lifestyles, I thought more seriously about the problem of plastic waste. So I have begun to use a plastic-free shampoo bar, and I'm satisfied with the product. The shampoo bar is packed just in a paper box, not in a plastic container. Using this product is more convenient than using shampoo in a plastic bottle, because I don't have to wash the plastic container after use. Plastic harms the ecosystem, which is inseparable from humans' health. Microplastics return to us through salt, seafood and so on.
I have also started using a water filter jug instead of bottled water. I had bought bottled water for a long time. Nonetheless, looking at the PET water bottles, I wanted to cut plastic waste. The water filter jug I'm using filters tap water without electricity. The filtered water tastes fine, and I can wash the jug myself. In addition, I can save money because I don't have to buy bottled water often.
Which part of our everyday lives can we change for a sustainable planet? We can start buying less, using less and discarding less in that area for all living beings including ourselves.
Kim Sun-ae (blog.naver.com/dancinglf) wrote a book of illustrated essays, "Old Potato, New Potato."
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The recyclable waste goes to recycling collection sites, where recyclables are piled up like mountains, which workers sort through in very bad working conditions. The waste that cannot be recycled goes to landfills or incinerating plants.
We have thrown away too many things. The waste we have generated pollutes the soil, the sea and air. And the harmful substances from the polluted environment return to us through what we eat.
Moreover, greenhouse gases are emitted in the process of producing, distributing and discarding products. And these gases remain in the atmosphere for hundreds of years. Facing the issues of environmental pollution and the climate crisis due to greenhouse gas emissions, we need to buy less, use less and throw out less.
If we have fewer things, they are more precious. When we possess too many things, we become less grateful for what we have. In our apartment complex, we cannot use hot water for about 10 days every summer. After using only cold water during the period, I'm happy and grateful whenever I use hot water, because I remember the time when we couldn't use it.
These days we have to wear masks due to the pandemic. But I sometimes feel uncomfortable using disposable masks, which generate more plastic waste. So I use a cotton mask when going to places which are not enclosed, for example when taking a walk. I feel more comfortable wearing a cotton mask because I can wash and reuse it.
After reading a book on zero waste and sustainable lifestyles, I thought more seriously about the problem of plastic waste. So I have begun to use a plastic-free shampoo bar, and I'm satisfied with the product. The shampoo bar is packed just in a paper box, not in a plastic container. Using this product is more convenient than using shampoo in a plastic bottle, because I don't have to wash the plastic container after use. Plastic harms the ecosystem, which is inseparable from humans' health. Microplastics return to us through salt, seafood and so on.
I have also started using a water filter jug instead of bottled water. I had bought bottled water for a long time. Nonetheless, looking at the PET water bottles, I wanted to cut plastic waste. The water filter jug I'm using filters tap water without electricity. The filtered water tastes fine, and I can wash the jug myself. In addition, I can save money because I don't have to buy bottled water often.
Which part of our everyday lives can we change for a sustainable planet? We can start buying less, using less and discarding less in that area for all living beings including ourselves.
Kim Sun-ae (blog.naver.com/dancinglf) wrote a book of illustrated essays, "Old Potato, New Potato."
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