The Zero Waste movement is based on reducing the waste and garbage we generate as much as possible by applying the hierarchy of the three extended “R’s”: rethink, reject, reduce, reuse, repair, recycle…
There are multiple reasons to embrace this philosophy of life, such as reducing the environmental impact of our actions and saving money. But there are many more!
For this reason, here are 10 reasons to incorporate the concept of “Zero Waste” into your life and we have combined them with some posts on our Instagram account that delve deeper into each one. Started!
Reducing littering: reducing and reusing rather than recycling
From the sum of the words rubbish and nature, the term “trashuty” was born to define the tonnes of waste that accumulate daily in seas, forests and natural spaces around the world, becoming part of the landscape. This problem is not eliminated by recycling alone.
Although some countries have garbage collection systems and recycling programs, the truth is that, on a global scale, the vast majority of waste ends up in landfills, incinerated or in the wild.
While we will always argue that recycling is very important, Zero Waste focuses much more on reducing and reusing so that waste is not generated and recycling is less necessary.
Activities focused on collecting rubbish from beaches and mountains, such as beach clean-ups or plogging, are very positive for raising awareness among the population and preventing all this waste from damaging the landscape. However, it is necessary to combine these actions with more forceful strategies focused on prevention, preventing this litter from being generated.
Practice responsible and sustainable consumption
Zero Waste is closely related to more conscious purchasing. Asking ourselves what is behind the products we buy and how our purchasing decisions shape the world makes us more responsible consumers.
Consuming sustainably includes, among other things:
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- Buy what you need
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- Extend the shelf life of things
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- Reuse as much as possible
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- Repair whenever possible
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- Repair whenever possible …
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- Assess the environmental and social impact of each product
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- Avoid unnecessary packaging
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- Avoid Toxics
Gaining a thorough understanding of a product’s environmental impact is not always an easy task.. However, as consumers gain more information about what they buy, they make more conscious choices. But what is sustainable consumption? There’s a simple way to define it:
Sustainable consumption is that which guarantees the satisfaction of our current needs without compromising those of future generations.
Betting on local commerce and local products
Local shopping is another essential aspect of Zero Waste. By buying local, we promote the economic and social fabric of our neighbourhoods, towns and cities.
In the case of food, for example, by buying locally, we prevent food from traveling thousands of kilometers to reach our plate and contribute to generating job opportunities in the rural environment.
On the other hand, local commerce fills our streets with life and allows many families to make a living from their small businesses, offering a close and personalized service to customers.
Save money
Although many people may think that a Zero Waste and more sustainable purchase entails a higher expense, the truth is that this lifestyle contributes in many ways to saving us money.
For starters, when you reduce your material needs, you buy fewer things, so you stop spending money on products or services that you no longer need.
On the other hand, a better use of your belongings through their care, reuse and repair means that you end up buying fewer things in the medium and long term.
Buying second-hand is a great example of this saving: by giving clothes or furniture a second life, we not only save but also contribute to materials being in circulation longer and being used better.
Reducing the emissions that cause Climate Change
Waste generation is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, especially methane emissions from landfills.
Therefore, reducing the waste we produce means reducing our carbon footprint as well.
Shifting from a waste management mindset to resource management is essential to tackle the climate crisis and ensure a sustainable future for all living things on the planet.
Protecting Biodiversity
Zero Waste is also directly or indirectly concerned with the preservation of the planet’s species.
We must remember that most products need raw materials for their manufacture. These raw materials are extracted from nature causing strong environmental impacts related to the loss of biodiversity. Examples include deforestation and water and air pollution.
In addition, a lot of waste such as micro-plastics or toxic waste ends up dispersed in natural spaces, being incorporated into the food chains of animals and altering ecosystems even in the most remote places on the planet
Preventing Food Waste
An inconspicuous aspect of the Zero Waste movement is also one of the most important: the amount of food we throw away and waste.
How do you feel if we tell you that almost a third of the world’s food is wasted?? This is a fact published by the FAO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Although this data includes the entire production chain (from cultivation to consumption), Zero Waste is usually concerned with avoiding waste when the food reaches the end consumer. Some actions you can take to reduce food waste at home include:
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- Learn recipes for making the most of it
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- Buy in bulk the quantities you need
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- Store food in clear containers to keep better track of what you have in the kitchen and prevent it from expiring
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- Enable a section in the fridge for products that need to be eaten with priority because they pass quickly or have a short expiration date
Need Less
The effort to reduce waste leads you directly to buying fewer things and needing less to meet your needs, something that minimalism also promotes.
But what about everything we’ve accumulated so far? Well, here too comes a process of letting go of what we don’t need or giving it a new life.
Many of the objects we have at home we use very rarely. Therefore, a good practice in this regard is to borrow or rent what you are only going to need on a one-off basis.
Working on attachment to material things also has psychological advantages: we get rid of burdens and feel lighter to dedicate our time, money and space to other things.
In addition, getting rid of things that we no longer use can mean an extra income of money if we put them up for sale on second-hand platforms or make a market for sale and exchange, for example.
Improve your diet
As the Zero Waste movement opts for bulk purchases and avoids packaging and processing, it indirectly opts for a diet that is less based on ultra-processed foods.
Although it is not a guarantee of eating a balanced diet, it is a way to avoid additives and added sugars, for example.
Leaving a better world to future generations
Opting for a more sustainable lifestyle with less waste is not only good for our present. It’s a way to ensure that future generations will be able to enjoy a clean, healthy and resourceful planet.
The best waste will always be the one that is not generated. Any waste that we do not generate today will be a preserved resource for future generations.
And that’s it for our selection of 10 reasons to switch to Zero Waste.
What were your reasons for switching to Zero Waste?
We hope this list has inspired you, feel free to share with us your tricks and learnings.
If you are taking your first steps in Zero Waste, this app can help you learn tricks and find shops and products near you
