On 30. March 2023, we celebrate the International Zero Waste Day.
The International Day of Zero Waste aims to promote models of sustainable consumption and production and the transition of society to a circular economy.
According to UN data, every year humanity generates an estimated 2.24 billion tons of municipal solid waste; 931 million tons of food is wasted, and up to 14 million tons of plastic waste enters aquatic ecosystems.
It is now more important than ever to change our habits towards zero waste. This may take some time and effort, but it is of great importance for humanity and for our planet.
Here are some ideas on how to reduce the amount of waste we leave behind:
Tote Bag
To avoid having to use plastic bags from the store, it’s best to be prepared with a reusable tote bag. They don’t take up much space and you can even carry one in your bag/backpack on the go. A great bonus is that their designs are becoming more and more colorful and creative – such as these.
Reusable Cup and Bottle
For coffee, tea and water when we’re out and about. If we buy one coffee and one water in a plastic cup and bottle every day, after just one year we will have saved our nature from 365 cups and 365 bottles. Quite a lot for just one person, isn’t it?
These cups and bottles are made of great materials and look so good!
Recyling
Check out this map to see where the nearest recycling bins are located (for people living in Bulgaria). Read more about which materials can be recycled and make sure you collect them correctly.
Reducing Food Waste
Plan your meals, don’t buy excess food and prioritize food that might get bad soon. Freeze what you won’t be able to eat, or share it with friends. Save food from going to waste with Foodobox.
Composting
If you have a garden or plants at home, composting is a great way to provide beneficial fertilizers for the soil and make use of biodegradable waste. Read more about composting here.
And don’t forget that we don’t have to do everything perfectly. In some situations, we can’t avoid waste, and we don’t need to blame ourselves for it. It is better for everyone to take small steps every day than for no one to do anything at all.