Some American experts suggest encouraging zero-waste lifestyles. Although this article was first published a few years ago, the issue of waste remains highly relevant to the discussion of sustainable living.

Eric Lombardi, executive director at EcoCycle, reports, “Each American creates about a ton of garbage every year, and about 90 per cent of that is reusable, recyclable or compostable. We need to stop managing waste and start eliminating waste.”

I assume everybody knows the three Rs of sustainable living: reduce, reuse, and recycle. 

I agree with EcoCycle; it is crucial to reduce waste and reuse materials because even the most efficient recycling processes use valuable energy and resources.

The top 3 ideas for reducing and reusing are:

• Use a refillable coffee mug rather than paper cups at your local coffee shop. Trust me, the taste is very different, and you’ll quickly get used to this new way of drinking your morning joe; also, some chains offer a discount if you bring your own container.
• Keep reusable shopping bags or old paper or plastic ones in your car or bag so they’re convenient when you stop at the market.
• Shop at the farmer’s markets and/or grow some vegetables at home to reduce the amount of packaging you use; a side benefit is that you’ll be eating real food, and hopefully, you’ll feel healthier too.

While reducing and reusing should be the primary focus, recycling remains a crucial component. Recycling uses 40 to 95 per cent less energy than manufacturing with raw materials, according to The National Recycling Coalition. And EcoCycle reports that recycling creates 10 to 25 jobs for every one job in landfilling.

There must also be a focus on composting organic waste, such as food scraps and yard waste. Thrown in the trash, your organic waste can generate methane and contribute to climate change as it decomposes in a landfill. However, if it’s converted into compost, organic waste can return valuable nutrients to the soil.

Do not hear from those interested in recycling programs, zero-waste initiatives, or composting pickup services? You should ask your local waste management organisation. You need to express your concerns and take action to make a change.

Resource: The Grassroots Recycling Network provides resources, including a model resolution, a zero-waste event guide, and a zero-waste toolkit for local governments.

Photos:
1. enviinfo-english.blogspot.it
2. treehugger.com

Reviewed by author @Keegan Burnes August 2017