What is Zero Waste?

What is Zero Waste?

Be the change you wish to see in the world. – Mahatma Gandhi

The zero waste movement is a lifestyle that encourages people to use all types of resources in a circular way, just like the natural world does. Therefore, the ultimate goal of this philosophy is to avoid resources to follow a linear route and end up as trash in the oceans or landfills. For this, people must refuse what they don’t need, reduce what they’re getting, reuse it, and recycle or compost it.

Linked with this lifestyle is also a minimalist way of living, where people are often invited to leave behind and refuse what they don’t need. The movement is also very well known by people taking their own bulks to shops to buy commodities such as chickpeas, rice, or liquid soap. The goal is clear: not to take any trash home.

Reduce, Reuse, and Recycle Concept

This mantra has been around for decades, but its longevity is simply proof of its truth. Reducing your waste is perhaps the most vital here—using, for example, cloth towels and diapers instead of the disposable versions. Opting to drink filtered water rather than bottled. There is a multitude of small ways in which we can reduce the waste we produce. 

Reusing items is also important, and it’s something that can take many different forms. It’s not simply a matter of using something that’s seen better days. Maybe you don’t want to get an old tire repaired to reuse it because you prefer the reliability of a new tire—but you can reuse a tire as a convenient, affordable planter for a raised garden.

Recycling should be something of an almost-last resort. It’s better than simply sending materials to the landfill, but it’s best to reduce waste to begin with. Of course, this isn’t always possible, and when it’s not, then recycling is the responsible option!