How you can prevent pollution in your day-to-day life

Pollution prevention (P2) is about not creating pollution and waste, rather than trying to clean it up after the fact. It involves looking at the causes of waste and pollution and figuring out how to prevent it.

Be an agent of change

Your impact is not only what you do, but also who you influence. By talking to your family, friends and classmates about how they can prevent pollution and why they should, you can really make a difference and be an agent of change!

Here are some tips to get you started and share:

Change your behaviour

• Try to re-use, repair or repurpose what you already have and consider buying used or refurbished items or products before buying something new
• When you shop, purchase quality items that are durable and long lasting rather than low-grade items that don't last as long
• Think about the life cycle of the products you buy and where they go after you're done with them
• Be aware of the easy things you can do like not idling your engine, avoiding single use items, and conserving water and energy

Choose alternatives

• Replace toxic cleaners with less toxic alternatives or make your own using common household ingredients like vinegar and baking soda
• Use insecticidal soaps instead of chemical sprays in your garden
• Do research before you shop so you can make informed choices about products you buy every day that may contain not-so-friendly substances

Green your house

• Consider a clover lawn that stays green with little or no water, doesn't need fertilizer or herbicides, and requires little or no mowing
• Look for non-toxic or natural paints for your next project
• Think green when it's time for home renovations by considering eco-friendly insulation, reclaimed materials and metal roofs
• Research to see if adding solar panels or other renewable energy sources makes sense for your location

We want to hear from you

Tell us your ideas.
Email us at ec.planp2.p2plan.ec@canada.ca.