Pollution Infographic

POLLUTION

Personal Actions

Unmask Deception and Harmful Attitudes

Myth #1: "All Plastics with recycling symbols are recyclable"

Justification

Intention

Deception

Myth #2: "Water bottles are recycled into new water bottles"

Justification

Intention

Deception

Illustrate the actions

Action #1: Personal waste audits

What to do? Evaluate your weekly waste, focus on reducing single-use plastics and correct disposal of recycable items.

Implementation Use tools or even particiape in workshops courses.

Effectiveness UW recycling emphasizes that correctly sorting waste improves recycling efficiency.

Action #2: Switch to reusable bottles

What to do? Replace every disposable water bottles with reusable versions.

Implementation Invest in high quality bottles which last years.

Effectiveness Minimize the production and usage of single-use plastics contributing to a reduction in waste.

POLLUTION

Citizen Actions

Unmask Deception and Harmful Attitudes

Myth #1: "Green Promises From Politicians

Justification

Intention

Justification

Intention

Deception

Myth #2: "Green Trends"

Justification

Intention

Deception

Illustrate the actions

Action #1: Demand transparency from politicians

Implementation Attend town halls and engage on social media for informations.

What to do? Hold politicians accountable by investigating their policies and support the honest politicians.

Effectiveness By having transparency, it forces leaders to act on their promises, making a real change.

Action #2: Participate in community campaigns

What to do? Join local initiatives like clean ups or even advocacy groups.

Implementation Look for local initiatives through community groups or even NGOs and participate.

Effectiveness These efforts can reduce a lot of waste and restore ecosystems. If the initiative gets a lot of members, it could lead to systematic change.

Professional actions

Unmask Deception and Harmful Attitudes

Example #1: Greenwashing in Renewable Energy

Justification

Intention

Justification

Intention

Deception

Example #2: Slacktivism by Corporate

Justification

Intention

Deception

Illustrate the actions

Action #1: Set Energy Goals

Implementation Partner with renewable providers and disclose accurate information to the public.

What to do? Commit to clear renewable energy

Effectiveness Builds trust and accelerates clean energy adoption.

Action #2: Improve Energy Efficiency

What to do? Adopt new strategies which saves energy like upgrading equipment.

Implementation Track the process yearly and set efficiency benchmarks.

Effectiveness Cuts costs and emissions which supports long terms renewable energy goals.

Consumer Actions

Unmask Deception and Harmful Attitudes

Example #1: Misleading Labels

Justification

Intention

Justification

Intention

Deception

Example #2: "Single use products that are biodegradable"

Justification

Intention

Deception

Illustrate the actions

Action #1: Support True Sustainable Brands

Implementation Research brands and use social media to find certified options.

What to do? Buy products form trusted brands like fair trade.

Effectiveness Encourages sustainable production and reduces environmental harm.

Action #2: Choose reusable alternatives

What to do? Use durable reusable items such as utensils and containers.

Implementation Buy long lasting productos to support a real change.

Effectiveness Cuts waste and reduces methane emissions.

References

Financial institutions failing to integrate nature and climate: New report warns Inaction on nature Impedes Net-Zero Ambitions - CDP. (n.d.). https://www.cdp.net/en/articles/media/financial-institutions-failing-to-integrate-nature-and-climate-new-report-warns-inaction-on-nature-impedes-net-zero-ambitions?utm_source=chatgpt.com https://sustainability.uw.edu/blog/10-recycling-myths Green Politicians, real and fake | The Nation. (2015). The Nation. https://www.thenation.com/article/archive/green-politicians-real-and-fake/ Energy Digital. (n.d.). CDP: Nearly half of companies ignore renewable energy targets. Retrieved from https://energydigital.com/renewable-energy/cdp-nearly-half-of-companies-ignore-renewable-energy-targets Basic Information about Landfill Gas | US EPA. (2024,). US EPA. https://www.epa.gov/lmop/basic-information-about-landfill-gas United Nations Environment Programme. (n.d.). Solutions to beat plastic pollution. UNEP. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/speech/just-transition-new-plastics-economy?utm_source=chatgpt.com UN roadmap outlines solutions to cut global plastic pollution. (n.d.). UN Environment. https://www.unep.org/news-and-stories/press-release/un-roadmap-outlines-solutions-cut-global-plastic-pollution?utm_source=chatgpt.com

Did you know that...Plastic labeled with the recycling symbol make people believe that all plastics can be recycled. However, only plastic os specific sizes and shapes are recycled on Seattle and on campus.

this myth makes it seem like the recycling systems can handle everything but it is more about companies avoiding responsibility and doing their part.

When people do not sort recycling properly, it contaminates the system, sending waste to landfills and increasing polluiton.

Did you know that...Plastic bottles can only be recycled once and are typically recycled into carpet or fleece, this is why reusable bottles are better.

Promoting reusable water bottles is a sustainable solution because single-use plastic bottles contribute to environment pollution

To mantain a high demand for single-use plastic by portraying it as sustainable practice.

When people do not sort recycling properly, it contaminates the system, sending waste to landfills and increasing polluiton.

this myth makes it seem like the recycling systems can handle everything but it is more about companies avoiding responsibility and doing their part.

Did you know that...Politicians seem to promote green policies but continue to support fossil fuel industries for money.

News stations exposes how the actions do not match what the leaders promote.

This make the public who are conscious to like them while keeping ties with fossil fuel industries.

Did you know that...Viral social media challenges often give the illusion of making a change but it rarely lead to a real change.

According to experts, these trends often only distract the public from more impactful actions like policy changes.

Encourages people to feel good to participate and "make a real change" while it diverts the attentions from the larger systemic issues from big companies or even the governments.

Did you know that...Large compaies use only 33% renewable energy while consuming 75% of electricity.

Other big companies like Microsoft which are 90% renewable show that it can be achieved by others.

this myth makes it seem like the recycling systems can handle everything but it is more about companies avoiding responsibility and doing their part.

When people do not sort recycling properly, it contaminates the system, sending waste to landfills and increasing polluiton.

They want to boost their public image without real progress.

Did you know that...Companies claim to use high quantities of renewable energy but only 16% is verified.

They avoid investments in renewable solutions while mantaining profits.

Only 1 in 10 companies is committing to 100% renewable energy, slowing emission goals.

Studies show that most biodegradable products in landfills release methane due to improper decomposition

They exploit consumer goodwill for higher sales.

Did you know that...Some products are labeled eco-friendly but lacks third party verifications.

When people do not sort recycling properly, it contaminates the system, sending waste to landfills and increasing polluiton.

They make single use products seem eco-friendly to keep their sales high.

this myth makes it seem like the recycling systems can handle everything but it is more about companies avoiding responsibility and doing their part.

Green guides highlight the worldwide misuse of the eco-labels.

Did you know that...Some companies market single use items as biodegradable but fail to explain that the facilities need proper decomposition.