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If we were asked to load all the waste we produce each year onto trucks, those trucks would form a convoy circling the Earth, not once or twice, but shockingly, 24 times! Every year, global waste disposal amounts to a whopping 2.12 billion tons and as per the report by the United Nations Environment Programme, a mere 13% of the global waste we produce goes to the recycle bin.
Not surprisingly, these numbers alarm us about the pressing necessity for us to adopt waste management techniques to promote a sustainable life. Planet Fitness hinges on our eco-friendly choices today to protect and promote sustainability in the world we call home. Before setting out on our path toward the destination of waste management and green homes, it is essential to grasp the far-reaching consequences of waste on our environment that prevent sustainable life. Hurdles to a green-life
The biggest hurdle, waste or trash, is any material, substance, or item that is discarded, no longer needed, or considered to have no further use in its current form. Trash can take various forms, including solid waste (household trash and industrial refuse), liquid waste (wastewater and chemical byproducts), and gaseous waste (emissions from industrial processes). The volume of waste materials generated is intricately linked to factors such as economic activity, consumption patterns, and the expanding global population.
Over 70% of the urban waste we collect is directly deposited into landfills, and the consequence of this practice is alarmingly evident: the majority of these landfills are not only overflowing but have far exceeded their designed capacity. Problems arise the most when waste management techniques are not employed properly.
When electronic waste or e-waste is disposed of in a landfill, over time, rainwater and other liquids interact with that waste in the landfill, and result in leaching. It can release toxic substances and hazardous materials. Plastics and other non-biodegradable waste materials can contaminate ecosystems, and harm wildlife by seeping into waterways, affecting aquatic life and potentially entering drinking water, causing various diseases.
Small steps for green home through waste management techniques– the ‘best out of waste’ approach
Taking this path to a sustainable life is about a fundamental shift in mindset, prioritizing sustainability, and taking proactive steps to minimize one's ecological footprint. It involves rethinking consumption habits and reducing unnecessary or single-use items through waste management techniques. You can adopt the following best out-of-waste ideas to discover the versatility of the waste material uses:
1. Coffee mugs to pen holder
You may not like your old coffee mug anymore, but, don’t throw it away instead turn it into a pen or toothbrush holder. If you have those tin cans and unused containers stacked at some corner of your house, then also gather a lot of tin can painting ideas, and turn your boring tin cans into beautiful planters.
2. Organizers from courier boxes :
A best-out-of-waste approach emphasizes reducing waste first and then pushing to recycle bin what's left. Materials can have a second life instead of heading to the landfill. Next time, don’t throw the cardboard box packaging from your Amazon, Flipkart, or Myntra purchases. Keep them to store and organize your items by making organizers at home.
3. Composting for soil enrichment:
Compost organic waste, such as food scraps and yard waste, that diverts organic materials from landfills and creates valuable compost for gardening. No garden at home? Help your neighbor, who has a garden, with this invaluable gift.
4. Show sustainability in shopping:
To make mindful consumption, you can opt to buy secondhand used items like books, accessories, or decor from websites like Bookchor, POOLit Classifieds that deliver items with a second life. Rather than making impulsive purchases, you can consider the sustainability of the items and buy on both the environment and your own life. You can also opt for selling secondhand items online at POOLit Classifieds.
5. Bag the waste:
Bring your bags for shopping grocery to avoid pre-packaged plastic or other disposable materials. Reducing plastic bags lessens pollution, protects wildlife, conserves resources, and cuts energy consumption. Keep cloth bags in your handbag, office bag, or in your vehicle ready.
6. Sustainability in surprises:
Spread happiness with your homemade gifts like homemade chocolates, sweets, and soap bars, or opt for eco-friendly gifting options like bamboo diaries, reusable makeup removal wipes, personal care kits, etc.
7. A new guest to the living room:
Do you have an old ancestral iron trunk? We got you! Immerse yourself in the flow of waste materials art and craft. Paint the old trunk as you like it and place it in your living room or outdoor space as your new tea table. Also, don’t throw away your big cardboard box packaging from Amazon or Flipkart purchases. Besides organizers, you can stuff it with old waste materials like fabrics or even synthetic cotton and turn it into a boho pouf wrapping with a jute thread.
8. Your cushion covers were a saree once:
Cut out your favourite part from a saree that you don’t wear anymore and stitch it in the form of the best cushion you have. As a bonus to your best out-of-waste approach, from your old favorite dress, t-shirt, or shirt, cut out that favorite design of yours and stitch it on top of the cushion cover. Cherish your favorite old design, in a new form!
The green principle
The core principle is clear: minimize waste right at its source, whether it's at home, in business, or within institutions. Reducing and reusing waste materials is our most potent tool in employing waste management techniques.
Small changes, like double-sided printing or choosing ceramic mugs over disposables, contribute to significant benefits.
Rewards of waste management:
By consciously curbing the production of waste materials, you not only contribute to the sustainability of planet Earth but also enjoy several personal benefits:
Reduced waste means more money saved, as you buy but discard less.
Proper waste disposal and segregation are pivotal in reducing energy consumption and curtailing pollution.
Furthermore, proper disposal of waste materials significantly minimizes the environmental impact associated with the production, transportation, and disposal of materials.
By choosing to attain a green life, you not only continue to go through the steps of waste management but also extend your efforts to areas like choosing appliances that can operate using renewable resources of energy or are energy-efficient, supporting those products scoring high in sustainability like opting for items which can be used multiple times over single-use items, reducing water usage, and advocating for cleaner transportation options like carpooling, for one lesser car on the road. Eco-friendly living becomes a way of life, fostering a profound connection to our environment and a genuine dedication to preserving it for future generations.
Ultimately, adopting proper waste management techniques is a journey toward a healthier, more responsible, and eco-conscious way of living, benefiting both you and the green home – Earth we share!