Consider the water footprint of products
Consider the water footprint of products you use every day and try to make some changes
It’s a complex system, but water and energy are tied very closely together, and it’s sometimes difficult to understand how much water it really takes to make the things we use all the time. Wherever you can, find ways to reuse or recycle things, or create your own reusable items. Cloth shopping bags, reusable lunch baggies or containers, and reusable water bottles can replace their single-use alternatives.
But doesn’t it take water to create and wash those too? Indeed, it does, but the water consumed in creating and washing these reusable items is significantly less than what is wasted to create new single-use items. It’s estimated that it takes about 24 gallons of water to make one pound of plastic!
If we focus only on one thing – packing lunches for school – think of all the ways you can save water by reusing items:
Water conservation has become an essential practice in all regions, even in areas where water seems abundant.
In addition to saving money on your utility bill, water conservation helps prevent water pollution in nearby lakes, rivers and local watersheds.
Conserving water can also extend the life of your septic system by reducing soil saturation, and reducing any pollution due to leaks. Overloading municipal sewer systems can also cause untreated sewage to flow to lakes and rivers. The smaller the amount of water flowing through these systems, the lower the likelihood of pollution. In some communities, costly sewage system expansion has been avoided by communitywide household water conservation.
With simple changes to our daily routines and conscious effort to really think about how we use water, we can all start conserving this most precious resource. Although it might seem difficult or pointless at times, remember that every drop really does count! Your small changes do make a BIG difference.
