Zero Waste Definition
Zero waste is the philosophy of resource conservation to produce and consume products responsibly. Moreover, it promotes waste reduction where all materials are designed to be reused, recycled, or composted without burning and with no discharges that threaten human and environmental health.
There are several benefits to going Zero Waste, such as reducing environmental impact, saving money, and creating a more sustainable society. Several steps can be taken towards Zero Waste, such as reducing, recycling, and composting.
Zero Waste Hierarchy
This Zero Waste hierarchy is a guide to help waste reduction. This aims to encourage policy-reforms, activities, and investment in the cradle-to-cradle concept by expanding the three Rs (reduce, reuse, recycle).
Rethink/Redesign
Purchase items from reused, recycled, non-toxic materials. Shifting to support a circular economy rather than harvesting and using virgin resources should be considered.
Producers and manufacturers should be enjoined to consider the full-cycle of their products where they take their products and packaging in a system guided by the Zero Waste Hierarchy.
Moreover, materials that cause problems for closed loop systems should be discontinued. Information that allows for informed decision-making should be provided to consumers.
Reduce
Before purchasing anything, it is wise to plan the consumption of perishable products to minimize discards. Also, only buy things necessary for you to reduce the quantity and toxicity of the materials used.
When choosing products to purchase, ensure that you can maximize their purpose and the materials used to make it can be easily and continuously recycled. Additionally, prioritize using edible food both for humans and animals.
Reuse
Reusing materials and products should be maximized. If products no longer serve the purpose it was made for, repurpose it for alternative use. It should be adequately maintained, repaired, or refurbished to retain one's value, usefulness, and function.
Additionally, disassembled parts can be remanufactured while dismantling and conserving the spare parts for future use.
Recycle/Compost
When recycling, people are encouraged to support legislation or system expansions to maintain the original product's materials. There is a need to develop local markets that collect materials that can still be used.
Incentivizing homes and businesses that create a clean flow of recycling feedstock and compost should be looked into. Moreover, encouraging people for home or decentralized composting should be considered.
Material Recovery
After extensive source separation, materials should be recovered at a maximized level. Also, it is encouraged to operate at biological temperature and pressure when recovering energy.
Residuals Management
With the existing materials you have, you should assess what can be rethought, reduced, reused, and recycled to avoid discards. Through biological stabilization of fermentable materials, impacts can be minimized.
The preservation of resources should be prioritized over destructive disposal. Maximizing gas collection rather than its production and release should be prioritized. Additionally, existing landfills should be adequately managed to extend their lifespan.
Unacceptable
This concept encourages people not to support policies and systems that promote the destructive disposal of organics or the destruction of recyclable materials.
Moreover, energy and destructive disposal systems that are dependent on the production of discards should be discouraged. Toxic residuals into consumer products of building materials should not be allowed.
Benefits of Going Zero Waste
The benefits of Zero Waste are vast and varied. Some of these benefits include:
Reducing Environmental Impact
Zero Waste helps reduce environmental impact by decreasing the amount of waste sent to landfills and incinerators. This also means lessening the number of greenhouse gases emitted, saving energy, and preserving resources.
Creating Jobs
Following the concept of Zero Waste leads to job creation in many sectors, including manufacturing, recycling, and composting.
Saving Money
Reducing the need for virgin resources, decreasing waste disposal costs, and promoting products that last longer save consumers money.
Preserving Resources
It helps preserve resources by wasting less, reusing and recycling materials, and choosing environmentally preferable products.
Reducing Pollution
It reduces water and air pollution from factories, landfills, and incinerators.
Improving Public Health
Public health is improved by reducing exposure to harmful toxins emitted from incinerators and landfills.
Creating a More Sustainable Society
Zero waste is essential to creating a sustainable society that answers the needs of the current population without putting the future generation's needs at stake.
Steps Towards Zero Waste
While achieving Zero Waste is a challenge, it is not impossible. There are many steps one can take in order to work towards Zero Waste. Some of these include:
Educating Yourself and Others
The first step is educating yourself about Zero Waste. Once you understand the concept, you can inform others and help change the way waste is handled.
Making Changes in your Home
There are many small changes you can make in your home to reduce the amount of waste created. This includes composting, recycling, and choosing products with less packaging.
Supporting Zero Waste Policies
When Zero Waste policies are in place, it becomes easier to achieve Zero Waste. You can do this by contacting your local government officials or writing letters to support Zero Waste legislation.
Joining or supporting a Zero Waste Group
There are many groups across the country working towards Zero Waste. By joining or supporting one of these groups, you can help promote Zero Waste in your community.
Final Thoughts
Zero Waste is a concept that can seem daunting, but it is achievable with effort and education.
Zero Waste is no one-size-fits-all approach, as each community and business will have its own unique challenges and opportunities.
However, by following the Zero Waste hierarchy and advocating for Zero Waste policies and programs, everyone can work hand in hand to have a more sustainable world.
FAQs
1. What is Zero Waste?
It is a goal that targets to eliminate waste through source reduction, reuse, recycling, and composting.
2. What are the benefits of Zero Waste?
The benefits of Zero Waste include reducing environmental impact, creating jobs, saving money, preserving resources, reducing pollution, and improving public health.
3. What are the steps towards Zero Waste?
The steps towards Zero Waste vary depending on each community or business. However, some general steps include reducing waste, reusing and recycling what can be reused and recycled, and composting the rest.
4. What happens to the waste that is not eliminated through Zero Waste?
The waste that is not eliminated through Zero Waste is either incinerated, which leads to air pollution or sent to landfills, which leads to water and soil pollution.
5. What are some of the challenges of Zero Waste?
Some of the challenges of Zero Waste include educating people about Zero Waste, changing policies and systems, and making the shift to a more sustainable society.
