Go Green, Go Zero Waste
Reduce, reuse and recycle – this is the mantra that most of us hear when it comes to adopting the green lifestyle. These steps are all well and good because of their positive impact on lessening the wastes being dumped into landfills, waterways and the seas. But there is a better way than reducing your consumption, reusing materials and recycling wastes. Ultimately, all of these ways will mean that the wastes after the materials cannot be reused and recycled any further still end up in the dumping grounds. If you truly want to go green, then look into the zero waste principles.
What exactly is zero waste? According to its proponents, it is a philosophy promoting the ideal of very minimal to zero waste being thrown in any way. Instead, material things are used and reused almost ad infinitum, a process used in nature where nothing goes to waste and everything has its purpose in the general scheme of things. The basic principle is that new inputs can be made from old inputs using processes that are as energy-efficient and eco-friendly as possible.
Let’s take the all-too-common glass milk bottle that ultimately finds its way into the dump after being emptied of its contents. Yes, the bottle can be placed in the recycle bin in your home. The problem begins when it ends up in the landfill, contrary to your initial purpose. And so, millions more of these bottles still litter the landfill. With zero waste, however, certain measures will ensure that said milk bottle will be reused by the consumer. For example, the milk bottle has a deposit attached to it, which you can redeem at selected outlets. The returned bottle is then washed, refilled and then resold, thus, repeating the cycle.
Well, of course, there will be waste in the form of the wash water but, then again, even that can be reused after certain cleaning processes. If dirty sewage water can be made potable, then water used to clean milk bottles can be, too. But zero waste is not just applicable to homes. It can also be applied to larger organizations like businesses, schools and industries. For example, in businesses, the principles of zero waste is applicable to the elimination of solid and hazardous wastes, efforts to improve efficiency, and even reduction in wastes generated in productions operations.
Zero waste has its benefits. Otherwise, we will not be promoting it as a better alternative to the "reduce, reuse and recycle" movement. These benefits include:
Reduction in wastes often equal reduction in operating costs. Many companies like computer manufacturers have benefited from zero waste, with savings running into the millions. This, in turn, leads to sustainable operations in the long-term period.
Production processes benefit by way of faster progress, which means greater competitiveness in the market while lessening negative environmental impact. Even the image of being an environmentally responsible company creates an edge in the market.
Enhanced environmental protection is given with zero waste management in place.
Nobody said that switching to zero waste is easy. Still, it is imperative that we try because of the worsening problems related to how wantonly we burden Mother Nature with our trash. Ultimately, it is humanity that will suffer from our own disregard for the wastes we leave behind.
