Not everything should be reusable
There’s no question that people are more considerate about the environment today than they were decades ago.
Anytime you go out to the store, or even browse online, you will see a multiple of possibilities for reusable everyday products such as Q-tips, water bottles, and even paper towels.
I do agree that there are plenty of ways to limit our waste and reuse more than we throw out, but, I don’t think all reusable possibilities are useful to us. I was recently presented with the innovation of washable air filters during our last HVAC inspection at our business. As someone who studied environmental health and air pathogens, I don’t think this is the best route for our health. Even if you are able to scrub an air filter, there is no guarantee that all irritants will be removed. The average guy washing an air filter would likely not know how to test it to make sure that it is 100% clean, or at least close to it! Disposable air filters are not a major part of the problem when it comes to human waste, so I don’t feel that it is within the best interest of our health to switch to a reusable option. We need quality air indoors, especially because most people spend their time inside. A reusable filter opens the opportunity for mold growth if people do not correctly scrub and dry it before reinstalling it. The drying time for the filter can be lengthy, and if you don’t have two washable filters in rotation, you may risk allowing pollen and other irritants into your lake home during that time. I’m all for saving the environment, but not everything we use needs to be a reusable option when it may be detrimental to our health. Some things could do more harm than help.