Waste contributes to the pollution of our oceans and lakes, and it increases the greenhouse gas effect that causes global warming. It is no longer good enough to buy plastic and feel ok because you recycle it. It is time to refuse, reduce and reuse first.
The world uses half a million straws every day.
It is estimated that 4 trillion plastic bags are used worldwide annually. Only 1% of plastic bags are returned for recycling. All that waste can be eliminated by switching to reusable shopping bags. Plastic carrier bags are used on average for 12 minutes, it takes at least 500 years for those bags to degrade in landfill. Unfortunately, these bags don’t break down completely, instead they photo-degrade. This means that they become micro plastics that absorb and release toxins that continue to pollute the environment long after they have ‘degraded’.
In 2016 the worlds plastic production totaled around 335million metric tons, roughly half of this was destined for single use product.
Single use plastics often do not even make it to landfill, on average 30% of the 78million tons of plastic packaging produced annually is left to flow into our oceans – this is the equivalent to pouring 1 truck of plastic into the ocean every minute! This is expected to increase by 2 per minute by 2030 and 4 per minute in 2050. This means that by the year 2050 there could be more plastic in the ocean than fish!
500 billion disposable cups are consumed every year. Styrofoam cannot be completely recycled. Most of the Styrofoam disposed of today will still be present in landfills 500 years from now.
So how can you make a difference? There are 5 R’s of waste management that you can use to help cut down your carbon footprint and the negative impact on our planet.
1. Refuse – Learn How to Say No and Mean It
The first step of the 5 R process. And a difficult one.
The best and most effective way of eliminating waste in your life is refusing to create it in the first place. It is about being conscious about what you consume and refusing what you don’t actually need.
Things like carrier bags, disposable coffee cups, cutlery and straws are the biggest culprits. They are a part of our daily lives and we often receive and use them without thinking about it but these products are mostly made from plastic and after one use most end up in landfill or, through improper disposal, our oceans.
So start making smarter buying decisions be it personally or for business , and say no to plastic and non recyclable waste. Go for reusable containers or bags, metal/wooden straws and carry your refillable coffee mug or bottle.
Here are lots of other ways you can refuse by saying no:
- Flyers and business cards: If you’re offered one, take a picture of it using your phone, thereby negating the need for the physical item.
- Marketing freebies: We all like to receive things for free, but learn to say no if you don’t need them. Just because it’s free, don’t take that as a reason to accept it. Marketing freebies, such as pens and USB drives, are brilliant examples. If you know you won’t use them, leave them for someone who will. -
- Chemical cleaners and air fresheners: These might seem like essential items, but you can make them at home with things you’ve already got in your cupboard.
- Single-use plastics and disposables: Included in this section are straws, cutlery, and plastic bags.
Produce wrapped in plastic: Send a message to the supermarkets and only choose products that aren’t wrapped in plastic or netting. Shop for produce at your local farmer’s market, greengrocers, local food co-op, or direct from the farm.
- Free bottles of water: When you attend a conference or are flying, say no to the free bottle of water and take your own reusable water bottle instead.
- Junk mail: Stick a ‘no junk mail’ notice on your letter box to stop paper deliveries.
2. Reduce – Learn to Let Go
Reducing your consumption is all about the virtue of conservation and the notion of doing more with less. Reducing waste is the most important thing we can do. By reducing waste, we avoid the unnecessary use of resources such as materials, energy and water. It means there is less waste to manage.
“Reduce” in the context of zero waste might mean letting go of items in the house that you no longer need, and donating, selling or upcycling them. Then you can alleviate clutter and create space.
“Reducing” might also mean shopping with a purpose and focusing on necessary purchases as opposed to random splurges on things that you don’t really need.
So how can we reduce waste?
- Buy in bulk to reduce packaging
- Take a reusable shopping bag with you so you don't have to use a paper or plastic bag from the shop
- Say ‘no’ to a plastic shopping bag when you only have a couple of items
- Choose products that use less packaging
- Buy reusable items rather than disposable ones
- Stick a "no junk mail" sign on your letter box
- Take your lunch to school in a reusable container.
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