OUT THE BOX

NOW THAT’S A GOOD IDEA…ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL LOCKDOWN

ANNUAL GREEN LOCKDOWN MONTH, ANYONE?

A BUSINESS WASTE FIRM IS CALLING FOR AN ENVIRONMENTAL LOCKDOWN PERIOD FOR ONE MONTHOF EVERY YEAR MOVING FORWARD TO GIVE THE PLANET A REGULAR OPPORTUNITY TO RECOVER.

WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?

An annual month-long environmental lockdown.

A WHAT?

A company called BusinessWaste.co.uk is calling for the UK Government to consider introducing a special one-month environmental lockdown period every year for the sake of the planet.

HOW WOULD THAT WORK?

People would be asked to stay and work from home, and travel restrictions would be introduced worldwide.

WHAT’S THE LOGIC?

The company cites an array of statistics a demonstrating that the human impact on the planet has been massively reduced since the introduction of lockdown back in March. It argues that giving the planet an annual chance to recover in this way would be an eminently sensible idea.

STATISTICS LIKE?

Global carbon dioxide emissions for 2020 are expected to fall by up to 8% due to global shutdowns. In the UK, the amount of household recycling being processed has increased by 30% during the lockdown period, including an 80% increase in plastic recycling in May. Further afield, people living in Northern India were apparently able to see the Himalayan mountains for the first time in their lifetimes, due to the drop in air pollution because of the country’s lockdown measures.

WOULD IT INVOLVE SOCIAL DISTANCING?

No. As the environmental lockdown won’t be for medical or personal safety purposes there would be fewer restrictions on seeing and being in close contact with loved ones, as the primary focus will be to globally restrict movement and waste.

WHAT ARE BUSINESSWASTE.CO.UK SAYING?

Company spokesman Mark Hall says: “The Covid-19 global pandemic has been challenging for everyone around the world, but if we can take anything positive from it, it has to be the enormous drop in pollution levels around the world. We’ve had wildlife returning to populated areas, increased recycling, fewer emissions from vehicles – and all we had to do was stay at home.

“Lockdowns all over the world have helped to encourage the environment to thrive, so having an annual lockdown period would have huge benefits for the planet. We could promote it as a ‘work from home month’ type thing, where businesses shut up shop and people get to spend time at home with their families. This will be beneficial for both the planet and the mental health of workers who feel they don’t spend enough time at home.

“We would still need to make sure that for the other 11 months we are still doing as much as we can for the environment – such as reducing emissions and increasing recycling – but if the last few months are anything to go by, nature can bounce back if we give it a chance.”