Why reducing waste can be bad for your health #thinkhepatitis

Filed in Blog by on July 25, 2014 0 Comments
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world-hep-day-logoThis week I was sent an email from a reader who wanted to find out more about zero waste methods of birth control.

And it got me thinking about the whole waste issue in a more holistic way.

If you’re in a committed relationship, your choices for birth control are more varied.

But what about a single person who is on the dating scene; like the person who contacted me?

After all, an unplanned pregnancy can have more impact on resources and accumulated waste than a few condoms…

While I was thinking about this, I heard about World Hepatitis Day; which takes place on Monday.

I did a bit of reading around and discovered that not only are there FIVE types of Hepatitis but it’s the world’s 8th biggest killer too.

And it’s hepatitis B that interested me from a waste perspective.

Hepatitis B is transmitted through contact with the blood or other body fluids of an infected person. The advice by the World Health Organisation says to reduce chances of exposure it is best to use condoms, and avoid sharing needles, toothbrushes, razors or nail scissors with an infected person. It is also wise to avoid getting tattoos or body piercings from unlicensed facilities.

Every year, World Hepatitis Day is a significant global platform for raising awareness about hepatitis and influence real change in disease prevention, testing and treatment.

So I guess my advice to our reader would be to be sure to use condoms when getting involved with someone who’s sexual history and health you don’t know about.

And not to feel an ounce of guilt about using them.

There are plenty of other (safer) ways to reduce your waste!

What about you – do you think there is a method of birth control that ticks all the boxes for both personal health AND the environment?

About the Author ()

I am a long time supporter of the Green and Sustainable lifestyle. After being caught in the Boscastle floods in 2004, our family begun a journey to respect and promote the importance of Earth's fragile ecosystem, that focussed on reducing waste. Inspired by the beauty and resourcefulness of this wonderful planet, I have published numerous magazine articles on green issues and the author of four books.

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