Today is Global Handwashing Day 2021 – and yes, we know what you’re thinking… Do we really need yet another seemingly random social media holiday?
Sure, some are more relevant than others, but for us here at 8Shades, Global Handwashing Day is important because it’s a reminder that something as simple as washing your hands can have a huge effect on the environment.
Did you know? Most people wash their hands around 10 times per day – many leaving the tap on without thinking. This results in approximately 6 gallons (23 litres) of wasted water per day. It might not sound like much, but multiply that by 365 days and that’s over 8,000 litres of water per person wasted per year.
The Eco Way To Wash Your Hands
With the ongoing pandemic, it’s never been more important to wash your hands – and turn off the tap while doing so. Here’s a reminder of the CDC’s five steps:
- Wet your hands with clean, running water (warm or cold), turn off the tap, and apply soap.
- Lather your hands by rubbing them together with the soap. Lather the backs of your hands, between your fingers, and under your nails.
- Scrub your hands for at least 20 seconds. Need a timer? Hum the “Happy Birthday” song from beginning to end twice.
- Rinse your hands well under clean, running water.
- Dry your hands using a clean towel or air dry them.
How Global Handwashing Day Started
Global Handwashing Day was first marked in October 2008 in Stockholm, Sweden by the Global Handwashing Partnership, which works to save lives by promoting the importance of handwashing. The UN then announced October 15 as Global Handwashing Day, and it has been celebrated ever since. This year’s theme is ‘Our Future is at Hand – Let’s Move Forward Together’, which makes sense due to the ongoing pandemic.
By now, we all know how important handwashing is when it comes to protecting our health, but just remember to turn off the tap when washing your hands so you can do your part for the environment, too.
See also: The History of World Car-Free Day
