Translation: Julie Summers

There are many ways to help the environment, and it’s important for each of us to do our part. We’ve reached a point where sitting around and doing nothing is no longer an option. We must work together to solve this problem of our own making. There are a lot of things you can do, even if you think they’re inconsequential; every little bit counts, and that’s certainly true here. It’s our responsibility to teach our children how to coexist with and respect nature. You don’t have to completely change your lifestyle overnight, but each little step toward more environmentally conscious consumer behavior is better than nothing. Make sure you get your family and friends to join you too!

Plastic

Everyone knows plastic is becoming a huge problem in our society. Plastic pollutes the environment and takes several hundred years to break down. If plastic pollution continues to grow at the same rate, there will be more plastic than live organisms in the ocean by the year 2050.

Tips:

Choose glass over plastic
Buy food that doesn’t come in plastic packaging
Reuse plastic bottles
Buy reusable bags and containers
Buy reusable coffee cups, cutlery, straws, and water bottles
Recycle plastic waste
You can put all your plastic waste in a clear plastic bag, tie it shut, toss it in the trash, and the Sorpa truck will take care of the rest

Recycling

Recycling is important. If we recycle household waste like paper and plastic packaging, something new can be made from something old. It’s also a good idea to find a new use for all that plastic we have lying around. Of course, the best strategy is to limit waste by buying as little unnecessary paper and plastic as possible in the first place.

Tips:

Recycle anything useable
Have recycling bins at home – and use them (plastic, paper, mixed waste, organic waste)
Read up on how the recycling system works (check out www.sorpa.is)
Take items you no longer use to Sorpa so they can find a new home and be of use to someone else
Use organic waste for composting

Food waste

Unfortunately, food waste is common in many Icelandic households. We can make an effort to prevent food waste by considering the labor that goes into producing every product and making better use of the food we have on hand.

Tips:

Make a shopping list before heading to the store
Don’t go grocery shopping when you’re hungry
Use what you have at home; little leftover portions are perfect for adding to soups, pizza, smoothies, or casseroles
Take dinner leftovers for lunch the next day
Use a meal kit delivery service like “Eldum Rétt” if you don’t have much time; they make sure you only get the ingredients you need
Make sure to use things up before they expire

Vegan

The meat industry is a large contributor to man-made climate change. It’s not a bad idea to think about what you’re eating and consider the carbon footprint of your diet. Although fruits and veggies have sometimes traveled a long way to reach Iceland, they’re still better for the environment than meat and dairy production. Reducing your consumption of meat and dairy is one step toward addressing the climate crisis. The Veganuary campaign is a great way to try out the vegan lifestyle; people who want to participate simply try going vegan in January and get all sorts of helpful advice and information throughout the month.

Material goods

Consumerism has a very negative effect on our environment. It also has a negative effect on our emotional lives; people are becoming so attached to things that they’re forgetting what’s most important in life. One consequence of consumerism is anxiety, and it’s a problem for adults and children alike. Christmas shopping can become a total headache, for example. It’s important for people to really consider what to buy and whether they really need something. Where will these things be in a few years’ time?

Tips:

Buy products made from natural materials, e.g. toothbrushes made from bamboo instead of plastic
Buy cosmetics and cleaning products without toxic ingredients
Shop at stores that specialize in eco-friendly household products
Consider packaging
Don’t buy things you don’t need
Use the search engine Ecosia on your phone or computer
Try alternatives to physical goods, like e-books

Transportation methods

The personal vehicle rules in Iceland, where a single family might have two or three cars. Traffic is increasing every year, and car exhaust has a terrible effect on the climate. That’s why public transportation is absolutely key to decreasing vehicle pollution. And let’s not forget jet pollution; although the term “flight shame” might be new, it was coined for a reason.

Tips:

Take the bus
Bike or walk – it’s good for your health as well as the environment
Carpool
Go car-free one or two days a week
Travel within Iceland instead of abroad
Take fewer trips abroad, spending more time in one place

What Can We Do?