Zero Waste – The sustainable way of living in India to come back from Corona effect
The onset of Corona breakdown, and complete lockdown of indefinite periods and isolating oneself from the world, we need to think of some ways which can handle the after-effects once life gets back to normal. There is going to be a major financial and economic crisis for the country and this is going to take a lot of time to bounce back. We as individuals need to have more sustainable ways of sustaining and Zero Waste Living is the way to go.
Zero waste means eliminating as much trash from the household as possible. A Zero Waste Lifestyle is not only eating clean and removing plastic from your life – it involves more thoughtful, minimalistic approach to living.
Here are a few ways how this can be done:
Use Glass bottles and jars to store. These are to be refilled every time
Take your own cloth bag when you are going out to shop
Think if you really need it before buying anything, even the smallest of things
Use Reusable utensils in glassware or steel, don’t use disposable crockery
Rather than using plastic straws use reusable straws
Use a handkerchief instead of tissues
Don’t bring home anything which you don’t need, like free stationery, pens etc from meetings or conferences
Use digital business cards
Take your jars when going to buy grocery
All the kitchen waste can be composted and used for plants
Reuse your clothes and pass it on to someone who can again use the same
Reuse and recycle books
Try to look for soap bars and shampoo, detergent etc in bulk, in bigger packs and refill in your bottles/jars.
Use Menstrual cups instead of sanitary napkins
Use cotton cloth washable diapers instead of the packed diaper
Reuse the water from RO to water plants or cleaning
Save paper by signing in for e-bills of electricity, phone etc
If you can, do rainwater harvesting for your garden
Bea Johnson has given 5 R’S principle for Zero waste:
· Refuse what you do not need.
· Reduce what you do need (and cannot refuse)
· Reuse what you consume (and cannot refuse or reduce)
· Recycle what you cannot refuse, reduce, or reuse
· Rot (compost) the rest.
This is a lifestyle change and even small steps taken to contribute to the bigger purpose not only in keeping yourself healthy mentally and physically and saving your money but also the environment and conserving our resources.