June is the month in which we celebrate World Environment Day, and it is a time for reflection for everyone about our daily actions and how we can promote awareness of the protection of our planet. This year, the theme is about solutions for plastic pollution, as part of the #BeatPlasticPollution campaign.
"Over 400 million tons of plastic are produced each year, half of which is for single-use purposes. Of this total, less than 10% is recycled. It is estimated that 19-23 million tons end up in lakes, rivers, and oceans. Nowadays, plastic overwhelms landfills, is dumped into the oceans, and is burned, becoming one of the gravest threats to the planet.
In addition to these impacts, there is a lesser-known risk: microplastics are already present in the food chain, the water we drink, and even the air we breathe. According to some estimates, people consume over 50,000 plastic particles per year. Many plastic products contain hazardous additives, which can pose a threat to health.
World Environment Day 2023 aims to show how countries, companies, and individuals can and should use this material more sustainably, offering hope that one day, plastic pollution will be history." - information from the website turismodeportugal.pt
This is a subject that particularly touches us. Boavista Guest House is committed on making its management model more sustainable and all actions taken have that purpose in mind. We still have a long way to go, but small changes have big impacts. Regarding plastics, we have made some replacements, such as our aménites - from individual bottles to dispensers; our complimentary water is provided in a reusable glass bottle; we stopped using the individual plastic doses of butter and jams and we recycle the rest we have not yet been able to replace. If you have suggestions or other observations about our performance in the fight against plastic, please share! Your ideas and experience are welcome and we are open to dialogue.
Our commitment to sustainability starts with more sustainable choices in different areas and sectors, and for that reason, we are certified by Biosphere, where we invite you to learn more about our practices and hopefully feel invited to join us!
Through individual and collective actions, we can contribute to the protection of the environment and ensure a sustainable future for the next generations.Let's take the chance during the month in which we celebrate the Environment to make a difference by raising awareness about sustainability.