10 Water Pollution Solutions you should know about
We all depend on clean drinking water and the food we take from the rivers and seas to be healthy, chemical-free. And yet, our modern way of life has polluted most of earth's water bodies. Water pollution is one of the biggest problems of our time, solutions are complicated and manifold. No doubt, industries and agriculture have to show greater responsibility, but there is also a lot each one of us can do to keep our rivers and oceans clean.
The four main causes of water pollution
Water Pollution. Photo: Seas & Straws
Wastewater. Often, the wastewater from industries or municipalities is not cleaned properly. As a result, toxic chemicals, heavy metals, drugs and household products are released into the environment. Some industrial facilities do not even cool the wastewater down before releasing it into the nearest water bodies. The result is an overheating of rivers which disrupts the natural habitat of plants and animals. Fish that are used to live in cold waters, die.
Fertilizers and pesticides. Conventional agriculture is a huge problem. It relies heavily on fertilizers and pesticides which release a large amount of nitrates, phosphates and other toxic chemicals into water bodies, together with oil and heavy metals.
Oil from factories, refineries, tankers and ships often leak and contaminate whole areas.
Plastic trash gets blown from the streets and garbage cans into rivers and lakes, and from there, finds their way into the sea. Even in developed countries with a functioning waste disposal system, this happens. Imagine how much worse it is in countries like India, China and Indonesia with no recycling or garbage disposal system.
90% of all plastic pollution in the oceans comes from only 10 rivers, 8 of them are in Asia. In total, the equivalent of one truckload full of plastic waste is dumped into the ocean every minute, 8 million tons every year. If you want to know more about how much Asia is contributing to the problem (and what we have to do with it), read my article about the cause of water pollution.
With that said, everyone of us is equally responsible for polluting the ocean with plastic. Did you know that thousands of microfibre particles from your clothes are released into the water with every washing? Synthetic clothing such as fleece or polyester shed up to 2,000 microfibers every time you put it in the laundry. No washing machine or wastewater treatement facility is able to filter these microplastic particles, as the sieves are just not small enough. You can read more about microfibres and microplastic here.
10 Water pollution solutions You Can Easily Adopt
Only wash synthetic clothingwhen it is really necessary. Be especially careful with fleece and clothes that shed fibres easily. Sometimes it's enough to hang them out to air. Buy the Guppyfriend. It's is a washing bag that reduces microfibre shedding and filters those that do shed, thus reducing the amount of microplastic entering the seas.
Be mindful of microplastic in toothpaste, creams, exfoliates etc. and buy eco-friendly alternatives that use only natural ingredients and exfoliants. Here is a fantastic list of micro plastic-free cosmetic products by country.
Never throw cotton buds (q-tips) into the toilet. They are so small that they pass through wastewater treatment sieves and often end up in the ocean. Buy eco-friendly and biodegradable alternatives made from bamboo or cardboard.
Use water wisely. Do not turn on the shower before you're ready. Do not leave it running while doing other chores. Water is a precious resource. Every minute in the shower uses 2.5 gallons of perfectly good, hot drinking water. In the U.S., 20 percent of it is wasted, going down the drain while people "get ready" to shower. That's 1.2 trillion gallons of water wasted in the United States each year.
Avoid single-use plastic items like straws, bottles or to-go cups. They most likely end up in the ocean. Use re-usable grocery bags, bring your lunch in steel containers and your water in reusable steel or glass bottles. Wrap your food in beeswax wraps instead of plastic kitchen foil.
Always check the recycling codes of each plastic bottle and container and dispose of them properly. You can find an overview of the recycling codes here.
Do not throw cigarette buds onto streets or into forests. They are highly toxic and contaminate the environment for decades.
Do not throw oil, paints, medicine or other chemicals down the sink drain or into your yard. They are toxic, too.
Buy green and eco-friendly cleaning products that don't contaminate the water they come in contact with.
Recycle your old clothing instead of throwing it away.
And to drive the point home: have you seen the picture of a tiny seahorse holding on to a cotton bud? Here's the heartbreaking story behind that picture.
What do you do to prevent water pollution? Let me know in the comments how you contribute to finding solutions.
What's the problem with plastic? Its invention was a blessing, but also a curse to modern society. It created an on-the-go throwaway lifestyle that our planet can’t handle.
Another victim of our addiction to plastic: a young sperm whale was found dead at the coast of Spain. Scientists were shocked by what they found: The whale had swallowed 64 pounds of plastic!
I created a comprehensive, 19-page e-book about how going green boosts your hotel's brand, bookings and revenue. This e-book is packed with all the research and data to demonstrate that going plastic-free is the most impactful way to boost your unique value proposition, attract the eco-conscious, high-paying traveler and double your profits. Click on the image below and get it now - FREE!
Today's travelers are becoming more mindful of the impact their travel choices have on the environment, highlighting the importance of green certifications.
Sunscreens are meant to protect our skin, but they often come packed with harmful chemicals that destroy the marine ecosystems. Here's the ultimate guide to reef-safe sunscreen.
This article explores the exciting and diverse career paths for sustainable enthusiasts. If you are passionate about making a positive impact on the environment and society, there are plenty of green…
Get your weekly planner Plastic-Free Through the Year Week By Week To A Life Without Plastic
Join the tribe!
Ready to become part of the global plastic-free movement? Sign up for my free monthly newsletter with fresh ideas, downloadable materials and lots of inspiration on reducing your single-use plastic waste.
Sponsors and Partners
A lot of money and research hours go into this website. Together we can keep it up and running and push single-use plastic out of our lives.
Disclosure: Some links on this website are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of them, I may receive a small commission. There is no additional cost to you.
Ready to join the movement?
Ready to become part of the global zero waste movement? Sign up for my free monthly newsletter with fresh ideas, downloadable materials and lots of inspiration for reducing your single-use plastic waste. Make your home, your office or hotel zero waste, lead a healthier life, and save tons of money in the process!
Bonus: Get this free 2-page checklist (one of many) with lots of tips on how to make your bathroom plastic-free and zero waste instantly. Concise, easy to use, and ready for immediate implementation.
Bonus #2: for a limited time, I'm giving away my weekly planner "Plastic-Free Through the Year" with invaluable ideas how you can reduce plastic right away. Sign up for my free newsletter and download the planner now - free!
"Yes, sign me up to receive my free monthly newsletter Seas & Straws Spotlight!"*
*Your information is 100% private and never shared.
Join The Tribe!
Ready to become part of the global zero waste movement? Sign up for my free monthly newsletter with fresh ideas, downloadable materials and lots of inspiration for reducing your single-use plastic waste. Make your home, your office or hotel zero waste, lead a healthier life, and save tons of money in the process!
Bonus: Get this free 2-page checklist (one of many) with lots of tips on how to make your bathroom plastic-free and zero waste instantly. Concise, easy to use, and ready for immediate implementation.
Bonus #2: for a limited time, I'm giving away my weekly planner "Plastic-Free Through the Year" with invaluable ideas how you can reduce plastic right away. Sign up for my free newsletter and download the planner now - free!
"Yes, sign me up to receive my free monthly newsletter Seas & Straws Spotlight!"*