First off, let’s clear something out!
What does going zero waste mean?
The short answer: trying to send zero things to the landfill.
How is that even possible?
It is accomplished by reducing our consumption to only what is needed. Reusing as much as possible. Recycling or composting the rest.
Zero waste is ultimately about redefining the current system of production and consumption, in which resources are taken from the Earth and, sooner or later, dumped into enormous, toxic holes in the ground.
But what are the real benefits of going zero waste?
In this article, we will observe the following:
Why you should try to lower your waste?
What is the goal of the zero waste movement?
7 economical benefits of the reduction of waste
5 personal benefits of reducing waste
4 environmental benefits of reducing plastic waste
Conclusion
… let’s dive in!
Why you should try to lower your waste?
Let’s start like that: Nature produces no trash.
The ultimate goal of zero waste is to move in the direction of nature, toward a circular economy where trash is no longer a thing.
Instead of throwing stuff away, the goal is that all resources will be absorbed fully back into the system.
It’s not too surprising that in our disposable society of overconsumption, the average American adult sends over four pounds of trash to the landfill. Every single day!
What is more, landfills make up one-fifth of methane emissions in the US.
The bad news?…
Methane is known to be 28 times more efficient than carbon dioxide at trapping heat.
Furthermore, the toxic components from the waste in landfills eventually run off into the ocean or leak into the groundwater.
Of course, the trash that never makes it to the landfill turns into litter along roads and paths. What’s even worse, it eventually ends up in the rivers and ocean, too.
Plastic is dangerous, and often fatal, to marine life.
Rather than biodegrading, it photodegrades, which means it gets smaller but never truly goes away.
Moreover, the ocean’s microplankton contains microplastics, as does 90 percent of all the drinking water on Earth!
Everything that is produced requires lots of different resources in the manufacturing process.
Products and the packaging in which they are delivered have to be designed, assembled, packed, transported, sold and shipped.
Each of these processes utilizes electric energy, carbon dioxide, water, and human energy, among other resources.
What is the goal of the zero waste movement?
The zero waste movement aims to eliminate the general production of trash through conscious consumerism.
People who are adopting the zero waste lifestyle are living with the daily intention of not wasting resources.
Instead of that, they use and rely on high-quality, bulk and biodegradable products.
The best part is that zero waste breaks this unsustainable and wasteful production/consumption cycle.
It is a radical act to boycott such common, everyday things as plastic packaging and single-use plastics.
Changing our consumption and purchasing habits enables us to obtain economic, personal and environmental benefits.
7 economical benefits of the reduction of waste
1) No more meaningless shopping
Why buy an expensive window cleaning product, full of toxic ingredients, when you can make one by yourself?
It will be a simple and natural product, that you can make with a few ingredients, such as vinegar and baking soda!
One of the benefits of going zero waste is that shopping becomes less frequent and automatic and turns into a more conscious activity.
2) Focusing on long-lasting & quality products
Beyond that, buying only carefully-selected foods, clothes, furniture, and electronics could help keep more money in your savings account!
For example, when I started to adopt the zero waste lifestyle a lot of times I asked myself:
Do I really need that thing? Do I have something similar at home? Is it going to last? Can I make it by myself?
3) No more food waste
Another principle of zero waste at the micro level is to minimize household food waste.
For instance, a way to do that is to cook an appropriate amount of portions, and not letting food rot.
Simply said, buying only what we need (and not what you saw on a discount, or something that you got because you went to the shop hungry!)
4) Zero waste community initiatives
At the macro level, zero waste community initiatives can include simple, common-sense measures, such as composting at the neighborhood garden!
Or even tool and skill sharing to reuse and repair, which again helps to reduce waste and costs!
Interestingly:
Community-based zero waste strategies help to redistribute the estimated $31 billion of food wasted annually to shelters, food banks and other places where it can be consumed.
What is more, reuse projects redistribute useful goods to people in need. This often includes used furniture for refugees and professional attire for those entering the job market.
5) Zero waste encourages circular economy
In contrast, the zero waste movement promotes a circular economy.
This type of economy is designed to be regenerative. It enables job creation while strengthening community bonds.
Ten times more jobs are created through reducing, reusing and recycling than through trash disposal.
Moreover, the economic potential of recovering and reselling valuable materials represents new business opportunities that can help to grow a local, circular economy.
6) Zero waste creates more jobs
Reducing and reusing materials create even more jobs in rental, repairing, reusing and sharing businesses (e.g. car-sharing, apartment-sharing, tool rental).
Local funds are spent on local products and services, instead of going outside the community to buy imported products.
That not only saves money but also reduces CO2 emissions by eliminating transport.
7) Zero waste creates connections
Another zero waste benefit it creates connections with people through zero waste initiatives!
This also inspires greater community involvement, partnerships, innovation, and sharing.
SUMMARY:
Zero waste is an efficient lifestyle choice. It provides economic benefits for both the individual and the collective.
It is a replacement for the common, linear economy with its “take-make-dispose” model which produces an incredible quantity of waste.
5 personal benefits of reducing waste
1) Being zero waste naturally leads to a healthier, more mindful lifestyle
Going zero waste means fewer visits to the supermarket.
You wonder why?
Simply because the vast majority of foods sold there are packaged, whether produce or processed snack foods.
2) Buying second-hand saves money
Most recyclable, recycled or reusable goods cost less than brand new ones.
So, it is not only good for the environment, but also for your own pocket!
Furthermore, with the money you save by buying recycled goods, you can pay for a trip where you enjoy a new experience and make memories, rather than buying more stuff.
3) Cleaner and environment-friendly eating habits
The ingredients you find at the bulk store and farmer’s market will give you everything you need to create balanced, healthy meals and snacks at home!
As a result, your diet will contain fewer saturated fats, sugars, additives, and preservatives.
What is more, since meat and other dairy foods are typically pre-packaged, going zero waste goes hand-in-hand with reducing your consumption of animal products.
So, another reason to incorporate more vegetable protein, vegetables, fruit, and healthy fats!
4) Losing weight
A side benefit that you probably haven’t thought of going zero waste is weight loss, especially in the initial transition phase.
If you are usually grabbing already-made foods, they always come with a heap of plastic or cardboard packaging.
And oftentimes, such foods contain a lot of sugars, fats, and a lot of calories.
So, going zero waste will require you to come up with some creative, homemade (healthier!) alternatives.
5) Creating new & better habits
Instead of spending hours of your free time shopping, you can:
– relax with a good book
– go on a hike or a walk
– enjoy a day of swimming or rowing on the lake, etc.
Furthermore, the zero waste lifestyle is all about doing your part in conserving nature and its precious resources.
We can gradually shift our linear consumption habits into a more circular, sustainable one for the sake of Earth’s preservation.
4 environmental benefits of reducing plastic waste
1) Zero waste helps conserve resources and reduce pollution
Needless to say that the present rate of consumption on the planet is unsustainable.
Logging in the forests, mining for silver and gold and drilling for oil requires loads of energy.
That results in pollution and often violent conflict between indigenous communities and corporate powers.
2) Zero waste supports the reduction of global warming
Another zero waste benefit is that it reduces humans’ harmful influence on global climate patterns.
The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that about 42 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions are caused by the production of goods, such as processed food and plastic packaging materials.
Reducing, reusing and recycling will conserve that energy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions!
3) Zero waste aims to preserve natural resources
On the other hand, the zero waste movement aims to conserve natural resources and minimize pollution.
Reducing and reusing means fewer products are made, as people make the purchase less and demand products that are designed to last longer.
Recycling is not a solution in itself! But it does help keep waste out of landfills and provides manufacturers with recycled materials for the creation of new products.
It takes twenty times less energy to produce an aluminum can from recycled materials than from raw materials.
4) Single-use plastics are starting to be outlawed in Europe and some U.S. cities and states
These disposable items include:
- plastic shopping bags; styrofoam cups; take-out containers; and plastic straws and utensils.
Although they are everywhere due to their ”convenience”, these items continue to take up space in landfills or as litter.
They impact our environment long after they’re used.
Each individual consumer can choose to reject single-use items.
They can be easily replaced them with your own glass or metal containers, canvas bags, reusable water bottles, bamboo straws, and utensils.
Conclusion
One person’s trash is another’s treasure.
In the zero waste movement, “waste” is reframed as a resource for something new.
Resources can be endlessly recirculated through our economy instead of being used once and then disposed of.
Given the rapidly increasing amount of waste produced annually and its disturbing effects on our planet, the zero waste lifestyle is becoming more and more popular.
Adopting this lifestyle requires greater awareness of our own patterns in order to limit the use of natural resources, as well as switch to the recyclable resources to reduce the waste we produce.
It will definitely take some effort, but transitioning to a zero waste lifestyle offers a so many personal, communal and environmental benefits!
A zero waste strategy needs to ensure everyone has access to the education, tools, and resources needed to reduce, reuse and recycle waste in their local community.
Everyone has an important role to play in protecting our environment!
Even if going 100% zero waste seems difficult, you can start small and take gradual steps toward a fully waste-free life.
