Zero waste: how it works
The Zero Waste movement is officially defined as “the conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of all products, packaging, and materials, without burning them, and without discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.”
From a packaging perspective, Zero Waste is a powerful thesis whereby individuals and businesses commit to tread as lightly as possible on the planet, with an emphasis on reducing the amount of garbage they produce. This is done through a reduction in consumption (ie. buying less stuff), reducing the unnecessary use of disposable items like plastic bags, and a thorough, knowledgeable use of municipal recycling and composting systems.
Confusingly, many items from Zero Waste companies are still packaged, particularly if they are shipped, or liquid (try selling toothpaste without any packaging). Plastic reduction is often blended with Zero Waste efforts, so you’ll see a lot of paper packaging, tins, and bamboo toothbrushes.
This can be good for the oceans, since only about 9% of plastic is likely ever recycled, and plastics take many thousands of years to decompose. (It’s important to note that a significant amount of North America’s garbage goes to controlled landfills, and does not end up in the ocean, so it’s important to consider other factors.) The carbon footprint of paper packaging is frequently higher than plastic, even though it’s made from a renewable resource. Items such as tins should also be given a hard second look since metals are tremendously energy-intensive to isolate, and only occasionally made of recycled materials.
That said, we encourage you to arm yourself with information, and get to know this lovely community! A few ways you can experiment with Zero Waste as an individual:
shop at supermarkets which require you to bring your own reusable packaging, such as the Unboxed Market in Toronto
equip yourself with reusable, waste-reducing, and/or plastic-free items like coffee thermoses, shampoo bars, and handkerchiefs at the Package Free Shop in New York
stop using plastic cling wrap, ziploc bags, paper towels, tissues, paper napkins, disposable plates, cups and utensils, coffee pods, tampon applicators, takeout food packaging - there are reusable options for all of these..
carry your own shopping bags, buy food in recyclable containers, cook at home or choose sit-in over takeout or fast food
buy used rather than new books, clothing, gifts, and furniture
hit up your local library!
use what garden / balcony / windowsill you can access to grow your own fruits and vegetables, compost at home, and get a garden plot
Photo credit: http://www.thepastiche.com/blog/diy-amber-shampoo-bottles
References:
https://news.nationalgeographic.com/2017/07/plastic-produced-recycling-waste-ocean-trash-debris-environment/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_waste