The Dhaka Times Desk We know that having plants in the house has a positive effect on mental well-being. But houseplants are beneficial or harmful for the environment? BBC has published a detailed report on the matter.
From growing seedlings, to making reusable plastic pots, Britain's horticulturists, botanists and ecologists are working hard to keep your gardening hobby alive. Currently, the trend of small gardens at home is also increasing, according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS). A survey revealed that it has increased in recent times.
This trend is attributed to eco-friendly and health-conscious millennials, who are trying to go green in their small city homes while also nurturing something 'real' in an increasingly digital age.
In the UK, 4 in 5 people aged 16 to 24 have at least one tree at home. Another fifth of them bought trees for the sake of their health. People's interest in trees has reached such a level that several online retailers are now delivering plants right to their homes. Patch, claimed by London's largest online plant seller, is one of them. They give their plants nicknames such as 'Chaz' or 'Big Ken', which are given to their potential 'plant parents'.
The organisation's chief executive Freddie Blackett said trees can bring 'peace, joy and comfort' to people. The plants and trees in the patch are grown in the Netherlands. They were then brought to the UK after receiving orders to supply the trees. That is why additional trees are not imported. But this can lead to 'plant miles', says Fay Kenworthy, co-founder of Plantswap, an organization that encourages local plant swapping. "Since many trees are imported, their transportation can also create a large ecological footprint," he says.
He argues that delivering a tree once at home has far less environmental impact than driving to a park. He said that if trees were grown in a warmer climate and shipped to the UK, there would be no need to build another greenhouse near the UK. Also, he says, plants that are not in demand at all, or cuttings or growing plants from seed, can always be good options for home gardeners.
He says it also avoids the extra packaging that comes with new plants – because plastic pots are used for packaging. Anti-plastic campaigner Amy Mark says these plastic pots and pans can be a nightmare to reuse.
According to analysis by the West End Resource Action Program (WRAP), only 10 per cent of local authorities in the UK accept these plastic pots. Often they are not harvested again, as they are considered toxic.
In many cases, these pots are also made of black plastic, which sorting machines at recycling centers cannot even detect. That's why they end up in Bhagada. Even many local authorities do not want to accept plant pots that are not black. That is why importance is being given to making pots that can be easily reused or compostable. That's why the Horticultural Trade Association and RHS Gardens have now launched schemes to reuse or take back plant pots.
Mick runs a charity called 'Kids Against Plastic' with his younger sister Ella. He suggested that when people buy a plant, they should ask about its pot, whether it can be reused. Or is there a place where you can actually get eco-friendly pots?
But how it is delivered is not the only thing that matters when it comes to planting eco-friendly plants at home. Rather, what is being grown there is also important. Botanist Dr. According to Trevor Dines, the main problem is the use of peat moss in biofertilizers.
Do houseplants ever clean the air?
We all know that plants take in carbon dioxide and release oxygen. This does not mean that they are stopping pollution and keeping the air clean. Curtis Guab, an environmental consultant and Ph.D., found that plants or trees can remove significant amounts of carbon dioxide from a room in the house.
But it depends on the type of trees and how many of them there are. Also, it depends on how big the room is and how much water is inside the soil of the plant. He says that 'the amount of water supplied to the plant depends on how much carbon dioxide the plant is able to remove, just as it does for humans. If your body is dehydrated or you drink too much water, you won't feel completely healthy either.
House plants are harmful to the environment?
Wang said that everything we do creates a carbon footprint, but it is not right to worry about how much it is affecting the environment. But he advises that if buyers want to be as environmentally sustainable as possible, they should talk openly with suppliers about using peat moss, avoid certain plants and be more interested in plants grown from cuttings or seeds. None of this, he thinks, is a difficult task. But each of its steps can help save the environment. Source: BDLive24
Things to do to prevent Corona virus
# stay at home all the time.
# Follow the rules and use mask when going out for emergency.
# three-layer cloth mask can be washed if desired.
# wash clothes after coming home from outside. Or hang it without shaking for at least four hours.
# Wash hands thoroughly (for at least 20 seconds) with soap or liquid before coming outside.
# plastic PPE or eyes, face, head must be washed thoroughly with detergent and dried after one use.
# Wear PPE made of cloth or clean as described.
# Use a head cap that completely covers the hair.
# Those who have sneeze cough should follow all the rules promulgated by the government. Also, wash hands as directed before and after handling food items, keys, switches, mice, remote controls, mobiles, watches, computer desks, TVs, etc. and after using the bathroom. Those who have dry hands use Moisture after washing their hands. Soap or hand liquid can be used. Why can this virus remain in the crackle (cracked part) of dry hands? Avoid using highly alkaline soaps or detergents.
English 
Bengali