It takes 500 years for a single plastic toothbrush to break down. Every plastic straw that you use takes 200 years.
The overflowing landfills play a major role in climate change. According to a report, only 20% of the total collected waste is processed while the remaining 80% is dumped in landfill sites. While waste can be managed properly, some cities in India continue to recklessly dump garbage in these landfills which are further treated poorly, emitting harmful toxins in the water, soil and air.
A zero-waste lifestyle encourages everyone to opt for plastic-free and sustainable alternatives and re-purpose 100% of materials. This means minimizing your environmental impact and single-plastic consumption.
Here’s how you can do your part:
Eliminate disposable containers and switch to containers that are recyclable and biodegradable. Replace your paper towels with cloth which can be washed and reused for a significant amount of time. Silicone bags and beeswax wraps are great reusable alternatives for plastic wraps.
Keeping a cloth bag with you at all times will help you avoid plastic carry bags. Cloth bags are light, affordable and durable – so why not?
According to the Food Waste Index Report 2021 (UNEP), every Indian home throws away approximately 50 kg of food per person. You can take a look at zero food waste ideas online. Composting leftovers is also a great way towards a zero-waste kitchen.
Not only do you get great quality products at affordable rates, you also contribute towards a greener tomorrow. Read more about the repercussions of fast fashion. Shopping second-handed items is not restricted to apparel. There are various small businesses as well as organizations that you can support for a good cause.
Support small stores and save on energy consumption by visiting shops in your neighbourhood. In this way, you also get to enjoy fresh and preservative-free produce.
Cut down on unnecessary usage of paper, especially newspapers in an age where you can find daily headlines in a couple of clicks. Creating notes and documents on a device can also be easier to access anytime, anywhere.
The next time you’re in a restaurant or at the ATM, don’t take physical bills. You can always view your purchases online, without the need to manually store and search for those pieces of paper every now and then.
The simplest of all tasks, carrying your own bottle can help eliminate usage of disposable cups and bottles. Stainless steel is the best option, keeping in mind its durability and recyclability.
Ask yourself “How much will I use this?” before making any purchase. Another way to control your shopping urges is to set an extremely low budget. This will help you make wiser purchasing decisions.
DIY for the win! You can find ideas to create cleaners, shampoos and so much more on the Internet.These products can be stored in reusable containers and are mostly chemical free: healthier than what you would find in stores.
Swap your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo toothbrush and try creating your own soap bars too. You can find more sustainable alternatives for your bathroom here.
Consumerism has led us all to throw away items before fully utilizing them. Statistics show that out of the 43 million tonnes of municipal solid waste collected annually, 31 million is dumped in landfill sites and only 11.9 million is treated. Instead of discarding items in the bin, find ways to recycle, reuse or give them away to charities or someone who needs it.
Adopting a zero-waste lifestyle largely depends on two important practices: Number one, use the products in your house till you can’t use them anymore. Buy replacements only when you have completely utilized things at home. Secondly, watch out for food waste. Look for recipes that can help you eliminate any wastage and compost what you can. Simple practices like these can help you go a long way sustainably.
Start your sustainable journey with The Good Route where you can discover conscious brands and learn more about intentional living.
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