7 Ways You Can be a Green Hero

Plant a tree

Johannesburg – 03/16/2018. 7 ways you can be a green hero. By Penny Ntuli, communications director of Tetra Pak South Africa

It seems nowadays everyone is talking about climate change and how important it is to protect the environment. But what can we actually do about it?

Governments and businesses focus on long term, sustainable solutions but it’s not just their job to save the environment that we all rely on. We all live on planet Earth and it’s our job to help protect it for our children and their children.

That’s why our packaging containers use only natural, renewable, and recyclable resources to help leave future generations a clean and safe environment. Businesses like ours, and governments, can make a really big impact in making the world a better place for all but it’s everyone’s mission to contribute.

Here are seven small ways you can actively take part to help make a big difference:

Contribute to the recycling movement

Probably the easiest way to help is to recycle – it’s the commonest environment friendly action that people perform. It means you can avoid overusing valuable natural resources and start separating garbage by putting aside carton packages for recycling.

Check your labels

Many companies like ours try to make going green a viable option for you by using products made from natural, renewable, and recyclable resources. We let you know by marking the product packaging so that all you have to do is check the package when you’re at the supermarket.

Look for the sign that it’s made from easily bio-degradable materials or to see if they originate from forests that are managed in sustainable ways that protect trees for the future. We mark this with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) label. It’s proof that the product you are buying is made using wood from responsible sources.

Turn off your lights and taps when not in use

It’s super easy – and super effective – to make sure your lights are off when you leave a room. It saves energy, which means the power stations don’t have to pump so much pollution into the atmosphere.

The same idea is behind turning off taps while brushing your teeth, showering, washing your hands and rinsing dishes. Water is a scarce resource in South Africa, particularly during this time of drought in the Western Cape. You can save hundreds of litres of water every month and imagine if everyone did it?

Re-use your plastics

Plastics are often hard to recycle and take a long time to break down naturally. Find ways to re-use plastic packages around the house and where possible avoid using unnecessary amounts of material. You could, for example, use cloth bags for your shopping and many already do. It saves money since every plastic shopping bag costs 50c and it’s good for the environment too.

Plant a tree (or even some herbs or pot plants if you have little space)

Planting trees and plants is not only very simple but also satisfyingly rewarding. Trees and plants and herbs are vital to the ecosystem because they help to maintain balance and provide us with food, resources, and the air that we need to survive.

Make a donation

Help other causes by the experts who are doing incredible work when it comes to saving the environment. Donate to WWF or Greenpeace International to play your part.

Park your car

Instead of taking your car wherever you go, save petrol by carpooling or taking advantage of alternative transport to minimise carbon footprints. Use the Gautrain when possible or carpool an Uber with your friends when you go out. It’s often cheaper and safer than taking your own car. Walking and cycling are a triple bonus item because they save the planet and your wallet and help you look great and be healthy too.

It can be easy to fall into the trap that we can’t really make a difference. Yet, our societies are increasingly motivated to do better for the world we live in and by being agents of change we can encourage others to take the same steps. These activities, small by themselves, can be the catalyst to great things if they motivate other people to join us or if we collectively start making a huge difference. Join us. Share What’s Good. We’ve been doing it for more than 60 years and we’ll keep on doing it because it’s just plain right.

Tetra Pak is the world’s leading food processing and packaging solutions company. Working closely with our customers and suppliers, we provide safe, innovative and environmentally sound products that each day meet the needs of hundreds of millions of people in more than 170 countries around the world. With more than 23,000 employees based in over 80 countries, we believe in responsible industry leadership and a sustainable approach to business. Our motto, “PROTECTS WHAT’S GOOD,” reflects our vision to make food safe and available, everywhere.