Many people are not aware of the waste they generate throughout their lives. Every day all kinds of waste are generated worldwide: plastic, glass, metal, aluminum, etc.
But, although many people do not stop to think about pollution, there are others who are fully aware of the current serious state of the planet, who are concerned about following a healthier and more sustainable lifestyle and who are trying to make a significant change to save it. . To do this, they spend their time devising viable alternatives in order to lead a normal life, with the only difference being that they generate the least amount of waste possible .
A viable alternative is the new “Zero Waste” concept . It may sound complicated, but knowing what it is about, it can be interesting to you and it may seem like a good idea to carry it out.
What is Zero Waste?
This concept could be defined in many ways. Basically, it is about eliminating and stopping producing all kinds of material that is not a viable and environmentally friendly option and, thus, largely stopping the pollutants that daily deteriorate the planet earth.
One of the fundamental points of the Zero Waste concept is that all the containers and packaging of the products that we consume regularly are 100% recyclable and reusable. But it's not just about this: this philosophy involves more things; how to use renewable energy, reduce consumption and waste of drinking water, and use more environmentally responsible forms of transport.
Purpose of the Zero Waste movement
One of the purposes of this movement is to create a circular economy where all resources can be reused, either in the same way or in different ways, so that no more waste is generated. Another of equal importance, but on a smaller scale, is that all people adopt a lifestyle in which everything they consume is completely recyclable and reusable. This would help reduce our polluting footprint.
At the same time, it is sought that many problems caused by pollution disappear, or at least are greatly reduced; like the greenhouse effect, the polar thaw or the increasingly frequent forest fires.
How to lead a “Zero Waste” life?
The most useful, common and easiest way to adapt is the “5 R's”:
- Reject items that we don't need and that are potentially polluting.
- Reduce what we consume, use and need to make it more difficult to generate waste.
- Reuse by changing disposable items (such as plates, cutlery, utensils) for reusable alternatives and, if possible, second-hand items.
- Recycle what we cannot reject, reduce, reuse or that is too worn out.
- Rot, which translated into Spanish means composting, is a great way to reuse organic waste to obtain other materials.
Incorporating these measures to reduce and / or tackle the generation of waste can be difficult at first, since it is something completely different from what most of us are used to, but if it is done gradually and as explained, soon it will become a habit and thus a way of life. Likewise, you can also try to follow a diet that is more sustainable with the planet.
conclusion
Environmental problems are one of the most worrying, especially in recent years when it has increased dramatically. For this reason, movements such as "Zero Waste" are necessary to be more responsible with the planet's environment and thus give it thousands of more years of life. Likewise, it is also essential to start eating in a more sustainable way with the planet.
