Zero Waste Living
Zero Waste Living
What is a zero waste living?
In short, a zero waste living or zero waste lifestyle means that we are actively trying to send nothing to a landfill. Practically, we reduce our needs, reuse as much as possible, and recycle or compost what we cannot. It is certainly not something easy to achieve, but building the right habits can do wonders.
We know how hard it is to lead a zero waste lifestyle in our society, true zero waste living is almost impossible in a society that is hard wired around those principles.
Therefore, to really make a difference in this case, there needs to be something more than individual good intentions. We need to redefine the system of production and consumption of products and move from a linear economic model to a circular one.
What is the circular economy?
The circular economy is a , which involves sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. In this way, the life cycle of products is extended.
What Is the Goal of Zero Waste?
The immediate goal of a zero-waste lifestyle is to send zero trash to landfill. However, because we don’t live in a zero-waste world and so many things are out of our control, most people in the movement acknowledge that sending nothing to landfill is near impossible, so they emphasise just doing as much as you can, and not putting too much emphasis on being perfect.
The ultimate goal of a zero-waste lifestyle is to reduce one’s consumption of single-use plastic and also to reduce one’s personal environmental impact as much as possible, and to inspire others to do the same.
How to Start Living Zero Waste?
If you’re anxious to get rid of all your plastic-packaged and single-use products when transitioning to a zero-waste lifestyle, remember that it’s more eco-friendly to use them up, and then replace them with eco-friendly alternatives when you need to.
Some classic products that may help you reduce your waste (and save money over time) include: a reusable water bottle, reusable grocery bags, wooden chopping board ,reusable bamboo utensils, a reusable stainless steel straw, reusable cloth makeup rounds, a bamboo toothbrush, glass or metal food containers, and beauty, skincare, and hygiene products that are “naked” or packaged in glass.
How Is Zero Waste Good for Your Health?
By using less plastic for food storage and packaging, your food and skin will come into less contact with plastic every day. As because Health explains, that means you’ll be exposed to less BPA, which is a potential carcinogen, and phthalates, which are potential endocrine disruptors.
Additionally, trying to avoid plastic-wrapped meals and snacks may lead you to choosing less-processed foods and eating healthier overall. For example, things like fresh produce, loose groceries, and bulk coffee beans are often easy to get package-free. The same goes for personal hygiene — products that come in plastic-free packaging are often more natural, meaning you may wind up exposing your body to less chemicals.
How can we achieve a zero waste lifestyle?By
1. Consume less
2. Reuse what you have
3. Avoid single-use Items
4. Always go for reusable items
5. Buy in bulk
Conclusion
The environment is at a critical point of no return on climate change. For that reason, the is an urgent need to change our habits and make them sustainable. Change needs to be drastic as our society is built around consumption, and therefore policies are important here. Adopting a zero waste lifestyle at an individual is important because true change comes from the people. You may not be perfect at first, but the most important thing is that you have understood that something needs to change.