How a little distraction can turn out to be disastrous for the environment!

[davidhyno]

Finally my wife and I were able to take a day off (both from work and from the children!) and with the occasion we decided to spend a quiet day of absolute relaxation on the beach: two sunbeds, an umbrella and a couple of books !

As soon as I entered I was immediately struck by a sign placed at the entrance to a beach in Chioggia-Sottomarina (Italy):

A series of common objects are listed that we often carry around and use during our day at the beach and for each of them the average biodegradability time is listed

This is the list translated into English:

LIGHTERS…………………………………….100 YEARS

ALUMINUM CANS…………………………….10 YEARS

PLASTIC BAGS…………………………….1000 YEARS

PLASTIC BOTTLE……………………… ….1000 YEARS

SYNTHETIC FABRIC……………………….500 YEARS

MATCH………………………………………….6 MONTHS

CHEWING GUM………………………………….5 YEARS

TISSUE…………………………………….…….7 WEEKS

ABSORBENTS AND DIAPERS……….200 YEARS

CIGARETTE BUTTER………………………….2 YEARS

COTTON SWAB………………………………100 YEARS

GLASS BOTTLE………………………………INDEFINITE

Personally, I am always active when it comes to protecting our planet.

And I was already aware of these absurd times needed for an object to be “reabsorbed” by nature, which is why I didn’t hold back when @ermest invited me to his “Clean the World - Clean the Jesolo Beach in 2018” .

Even the small reuse projects are always useful for all of us,

And I am always aware of those small businesses that make it their mission to avoid using plastic as packaging for their goods:

But this sign…it literally left me perplexed and worried at the same: what for us is a simple day of relaxation and fun, can be transformed, without a minimum of precaution and without respect for the environment on our part, on a disastrous day for our planet!

It is only thanks to our responsibility in keeping the destination of our trip or holiday clean that we will have the chance to find it still in the better condition next time!

Let’s always keep this in mind dear LocalGuides!

Happy cleaning,

David

[PritishB]

Thanks @davidhyno for sharing this nice post about sustainability. The small efforts by each and everyone to re use plastic and non-biodegradable things can make a huge possitive impact on environment and reduce pollution.

Stay safe and stay happy.

#HappyGuiding

[davidhyno]

Thanks @PritishB for your feedback! I think just like you: reducing any type of pollution on our part will only bring benefits both for the climate and for the health of our planet!

Bye,

David

[ErmesT]

Thank you so much for this post and for the tag @davidhyno

Yes, the world is fill of “little distractions”. Unfortunately, or incredibly, the pandemic didn’t helped us, and we had the opportunity for being even more distracted

I was so happy to have you and your daughter in the Clean The World team in 2018. Davide. We cleaned the beach several other times, after that sad day, and we still finding a lot of “distractions”

[davidhyno]

You’re right @ErmesT , it seems really difficult to learn from our mistakes … but more than distractions I think the selfishness and indifference of mankind prevail!

And think that when I had small children my only concern was to collect the glass shards from the foreshore to prevent them (or someone else) from cutting their feet … Now instead I realize that the real danger is not the glass … but all the forgotten plastic !

Bye,

David

[LaloPadilla]

Hi @davidhyno I’ve seen those signs too, unfortunately people keep littering.

I went to the beach a couple of weeks ago, instead of feeling relaxed I was annoyed by the amount of plastic bottles, bottle caps and cans, as I walked I started to collect them and even could pick two PET bottles from the water, luckily a staff member of a hotel saw me and helped me to locate the nearest recycling bin.

I hope that more people become aware of the damage of littering.

Stay safe!

[davidhyno]

You are right @LaloPadilla !
We must first educate ourselves, it is always easy to talk and then not to act!
Congratulations on your waste collection: as I use to say on these occasions "a small gesture for a man, a great example for humanity!"

I hope people realize as soon as possible the damage we are causing to our planet, our home!

Thanks for your reply,

David