Action

Ways to reduce persistent organic pollutants

Additional ways to reduce other chemicals in the environment

Explanation

Be chemical aware!

·         Know if the chemicals you use are harmful to the environment and if you have to use them dispose of them properly

·         Use environmentally safe alternatives

·         Avoid using pesticides

Care!

·         Live knowing that you are connected to the Earth’s other creatures

·         Insist on finding out if things are dangerous before we start using them

Make your voice count

·         Share what you know with others.  Use your vote and stand up for your right to be toxin free!

Buy smart

·         Buy less things you don’t really need

·         Buy from companies with good environmental practices

·         When you have a choice, buy things you need from close to home

E.g. IKEA and Toshiba, Apple, Dell and Hewlett Packard do not use PBDE’s in their products.

Buying from close to home means less pollution from fossil fuels

Eat smart

·         Eat less animal fat

·         Eat less food with additives

By eating less animal fat, there is less chance that you are taking in persistent organic pollutants.

Make less garbage

·         Through buying less

·         Don’t use disposable items e.g. non-rechargeable batteries; Styrofoam cups; plastic bags! Reuse things.

·         Share things you no longer need instead of throwing them out e.g. donate to second hand store

·         Fix things rather than throwing them out

·         Recycle more

·         Buy things with less packaging

·         Compost more

·         Create less food waste

The more we reduce, reuse, repair and recycle, the fewer chemicals go into environment. In electronics and foam products, these chemicals can include PBDEs

Save energy

·         Use less electronic devices

·         Walk, bike, skate-board, etc more as a form of transportation

·         Carpool and use public transportation more

·         Use alternatives to fossil fuels

·         Use energy efficient vehicles, appliances, light bulbs, etc.

·         Unplug more and enjoy nature! Unplug appliances you are not using, use less TV, game boys, computer, etc.)

Less electronics means less chance of having a product with PBDEs

Using less gas and oil means less fossil fuel pollution

Most electrical generators operate on fossil fuels

Save water

·         Use less water so that it does not need to be treated as often

Also saves energy that goes into treating sewage and purifying water