What is Zero Waste Movement
Have you heard of the zero waste movement before? What does it mean? Does it mean we don’t produce any rubbish or waste? Is that even possible? Contrary to what it may sound like, zero waste is not about not producing waste; rather, it is about reducing our consumption. Whenever possible, we should recycle or reuse, and produce as little waste as possible. We hope that, as a result of this, eventually nothing will be sent to the landfills, incinerators, or the ocean, and fewer resources will be needed to meet our needs.
Why is it so important to prevent waste? We have limited resources on the planet we are living on, but the population continues to grow. If we do not control how we use our resources, the future generations are going to suffer. As it is, due to the waste we produce, we have polluted the air, the water, and the environment we are living in. Global warming and climate change are the challenging issues we are facing now. According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (the U.S. EPA), 42 percent of greenhouse gas emissions are contributed by the production and use of goods not limited to food, products, and packaging. For example, 18 billion pounds of plastic waste ends up in the ocean each year, of which 40 per cent is packaging.
25 Places That Have Implemented Zero Waste Strategy
Realising how global warming and climate change are affecting our daily lives, some cities in the world have adopted the zero-waste strategy as a proactive initiative to combat global warming and climate change issues. Let’s take a look at how these pioneering 25 places from all around the world implement the zero waste strategy.
1. Vancouver, Canada
The directors of Metro Vancouver unanimously voted to adopt a zero-waste approach in 2006. In 2018, Zero Waste 2040 was approved. Strategies to achieve this include reducing single-use items, composting organic waste, and prioritizing a “circular economy” where innovative design, reuse, repair, and remanufacturing of products prevents unnecessary waste.
2. Bute, Scotland
In 2015, the Isle of Bute was selected as the second town to participate in Scotland’s Zero Waste Towns initiative. The pilot project’s “inspire, educate, empower” community action and circular economy approach seems to be working: reuse and recycling have increased, and domestic waste to landfills has decreased. Even unsold loaves of bread are being put to use—diverted from the landfill to Bute Brew Co. where they’re recycled into craft beer.
3. Dubai, United Arab Emirates
In August 2018, this city of glitz signed C40’s “Advancing Towards Zero Waste Declaration,” becoming one of just two Middle Eastern municipalities to commit. Policies and programs were created to reach C40 goals of reducing 15 percent of each resident’s waste by 2030. Dubai hopes to divert 70 percent of waste from landfills and incinerators by 2030 as well.
4. Flanders, Belgium
This Flemish region of Belgium has been steadily working towards zero-waste since approving their first Waste Decree in the 1980s. Policies have transformed over time from an initial focus on disposal to recycling, source separation, and prevention. Today, nearly 75 percent of residential waste (the highest percentage in Europe) is diverted from landfills. Waste generation has remained stable in spite of population increase and economic growth.
5. Gipuzkoa, Spain
Rather than moving forward with multi million dollar plans to build an incinerator plant, this Basque Country province opted instead to prioritize prevention, source separation, reuse, and recycling. In 2011, they set a goal of achieving 70 percent diversion from landfills by 2020. In less than five years, the province reached over 50 percent waste reduction—with some municipalities reaching 80 to 90 percent—making Gipuzkoa the fastest transition toward zero waste in Europe.
6. Cappanori, Italy
When school teacher Rossano Ercolini and zero-waste expert Dr. Paul Connett rallied residents to prevent the construction of an incinerator in this Tuscan town, they knew the only alternative was waste reduction. Ercolini launched a pilot door-to-door collection program and, in 2007, convinced Capannori to become the first in Europe to declare a zero-waste strategy. The town pledged to divert one hundred percent from landfills by 2020 and inspired others to do the same. Today, more than 275 municipalities in Italy—over six million inhabitants—are working toward zero-waste.
7. Hout Bay, South Africa
When FIFA announced South Africa as host of the 2010 World Cup, a small community in Cape Town set out to clean up. Led by NGO Thrive Hout Bay, local schools, residents, and businesses banded together toward a 2010 zero-waste goal. In partnership with local government, they launched a household waste drop-off program that proved so successful it inspired other drop-off programs across the city.
8. Guam
Members of community organizations, government agencies, schools, and other stakeholders began mapping out Guam’s Blueprint for Zero Waste in 2012. Recognizing that education and proper development will be a work in progress, Guam’s zero-waste plan has no defined end date and focuses instead on a 20-year, four-phase approach.
9. Cashel, Ireland
This County Tipperary town became Ireland’s first Toward Zero Waste Community in 2017 when Irish environmental charity VOICE launched the “Towards Zero Waste Cashel” pilot program. With an emphasis on zero waste as a journey rather than a destination, the initiative focuses on waste prevention, education, composting, community collaboration, and strategies toward a circular economy.
10. Buenos Aires, Argentina
At the heart of zero-waste efforts in Buenos Aires are the cartoneros—impoverished waste pickers who were out in the street sorting recyclables from trash long before the capital city’s zero-waste laws were announced in 2005. While such laws include an intended ban on landfilling recyclable and compostable waste by 2020, private waste management companies profit from landfilling and may stall the city from reaching that goal. Still, environmental NGOs and citizens like the cartoneros continue to advocate for implementation of zero-waste strategies.
11. New York City, United States
As part of the larger OneNYC vision to become “the most resilient, equitable, and sustainable city in the world,” the Big Apple set a goal in 2015 to achieve zero waste by 2030. One of the strategies, an expanded organic waste curbside collection program, now serves more than three million residents and is the largest program of its kind in the United States.
12. San Francisco, United States
In 2002, San Francisco became the first large U.S. city to make a zero-waste commitment. Although its ambitious 2020 zero waste goal will probably not be reached, the city has taken significant public policy steps such as implementing the country’s first mandatory composting law and first ban on single-use plastic bags in drugstores and supermarkets.
13. Ljubljana, Slovenia
Announcing its zero-waste goal in 2014, Ljubljana became Europe’s first capital city to commit. Thanks to effective door-to-door collection and clear communication on waste reduction and reuse, Ljubljana has eliminated the need for incinerators and was named a European Green Capital in 2016. The city is on track to reach a goal of increasing separate collection to nearly 80 percent and halving their amount of residual waste by 2025.
14. Kamikatsu, Japan
In 2003, Kamikatsu became Japan’s first municipality to declare plans for zero waste. This small town has made huge strides toward their 2020 goal and has eliminated the need for greenhouse gas-emitting incinerators. Residents sort trash into 45 categories, successfully recycling, composting, and reusing 80 percent of all waste.
15. Santa Monica, United States
The City of Santa Monica surveyed the needs and concerns of the community in 2013 before adopting their Zero Waste Strategic Operations Plan in 2014. To reach their goal of 95 percent diversion from landfills by 2030, this Southern California coastal city is creating convenient ways for locals and visitors to separate organic waste from recyclables and trash, such as placing composting bins at city facilities and improving services within multi-unit dwellings.
16. Pune, India
In pushing for safer working conditions and forming the first waste pickers’ union in India, pickers in Pune drew attention to challenges of waste management and possibilities of zero waste through door-to-door collection. In 2012, Pune launched a zero waste program to educate residents on sorting waste at the source, resulting in an increase in compliance and decrease in waste sent to landfills.
17. Međimurje, Croatia
As far back as 2006, seven municipalities of Međimurje County were already working together on waste management; so they were perfectly positioned to join the Zero Waste Europe network in 2015. The county’s formal commitment includes reduction of waste to landfills, 70 percent waste recovery (recycling, composting, etc.) by 2020, and avoidance of incineration.
18. Sardinia, Italy
This island paradise is proving that zero waste is possible in high density tourist destinations. Door-to-door collection, a pay-as-you-throw system, incentives for high-performing municipalities, and penalties for low-performers are just some of the strategies that have lifted Sardinia out of the dumps. Once Italy’s worst performing region, the separate collection rate increased from 3.8 percent in 2003 to 56 percent in 2016. The city hopes to reach 80 percent by 2022.
19. Taiwan
Concerned about the reliance on incinerators, citizens pressured the government to shift focus from symptoms to source. In 2003, the Taiwan Environmental Protection Administration implemented a zero waste policy, calling on businesses and residents to take responsibility to reduce the volume of waste 75 percent by 2020. Banning disposable utensils from restaurants resulted in reduction of disposable chopsticks use by 44 million pairs in 2014.
20. Sweden
Sweden made international headlines when they burned through their own trash and began importing waste to feed their incinerator plants. Arguably, Sweden has nearly reached the goal—less than one percent of household waste ends up in landfills, while about 50 percent is incinerated and converted to energy. The country has been praised by some for leading a “recycling revolution” and criticized by others for their reliance on burning rubbish.
21. San Diego, United States
In 2015, this surf city officially announced its intention to divert 75 percent of waste being sent to landfills by 2020, 90 percent by 2035, and zero waste by 2040. Non-profit Zero Waste San Diego provides zero-waste educational events and consultations in an effort to support residents and local businesses.
22. Wales
Wales’ 2010 “Toward Zero Waste” declaration included strategies to reach 70 percent recycling of waste by 2025 and zero waste by 2050. In 2017, the recycling rate reached 63.8 percent for municipal solid waste (inclusive of plastics and packaging). The UK country is well on its way to achieving its 2025 goal and is second only to Germany for recycling rates around the world.
23. Targu Lapus, Romania
Targu Lapus was the first city in Romania to scrap incinerator plans and make a zero-waste commitment. In 2014, they joined the Zero Waste Europe network, declaring an ambitious goal of eight percent diversion from landfills by 2020 with a focus on composting and recycling.
24. Alaminos, Philippines
In 2009, Alaminos City Council passed the first zero-waste city ordinance in the Philippines. Thanks to support from the Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives (GAIA) and the combined efforts of the community and local government, composting and waste separation have become the new norm in a place where open dumping and burning of waste was once an everyday occurrence.
25. Auckland, New Zealand
This Kiwi city is taking a collaborative approach to tackling their 2040 zero-waste goal. Auckland Council turned to the public—including businesses, community groups, waste industry reps, Māori, youth, and other residents—for feedback on a revised plan. “The Auckland Waste Management and Minimisation Plan 2018: Working Together for Zero Waste” was recently approved, joining Auckland with 22 other cities and regions around the world who have committed to C40’s Zero Waste Declaration.
The above information is extracted from: National Georgraphic (29 October 2018). Retrieved from https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/lists/zero-waste-eliminate sustainable-travel-destination-plastic/
How To Start A Zero Waste Lifestyle?
As an individual, how can we contribute towards the reduction of waste in order to protect our environment and the limited resources we have? A few simple lifestyle changes can really help.
- Before we buy anything, think about whether we really need the items. Most of the time we are making a compulsive purchase that’s not based on actual need.
- Instead of buying cleaning products for specific purposes, we can switch to using products such as Castile soap that can be used to clean almost everything.
- Instead of using plastic bags when we go grocery shopping, bring our own tote bags.
- Consume less processed foods so packaging can be reduced.
- Use glass jars to store our food or drinks so the usage of plastic can be eliminated.
- Use old shirts or sheets to make storage bags for onions, potatoes, garlic, etc. to replace plastics bags or containers.
- If possible, use a reusable straw made from stainless steel.
- Reduce the usage of disposable items such as disposable cutlery, cups, straws, plates, bowls, etc.
- Compost organic waste such as fruits and vegetables.
- Shop in a zero-waste shop where we are able to buy items in bulk without packaging.
Sources
- Fitzgerald, Sunny, “25 places that have committed to going zero-waste”, 29 October 2018, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/travel/lists/zero-waste-eliminate-sustainable-travel-destination-plastic/ (accessed: 11 May 2019)
- “Benefits of Zero Waste”, https://www.torontoenvironment.org/zerowaste_benefits (accessed: 11 May 2019)
- “How a Zero Waste Lifestyle Can Save You Money”, https://www.moneycrashers.com/zero-waste-lifestyle/ (accessed: 11 May 2019)
- Gallucci, Nicole, “How to start a zero waste lifestyle”, 27 April 2018, https://mashable.com/article/zero-waste/ (accessed: 11 May 2019)
- Arboine, Niellah, “What Is The Zero-Waste Movement? Here’s How It Can Help You Live A More Sustainable Lifestyle”, https://www.bustle.com/p/what-is-the-zero-waste-movement-heres-how-it-can-help-you-live-a-more-sustainable-lifestyle-17140465, (accessed: 11 May 2019)
- Kathryn, “Going Zero Waste”, (accessed: 11 May 2019)
- “Zero waste”, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zero_waste (accessed: 11 May 2019)
For more interesting information:
- Global Superpower China Will Cut Meat Consumption by 50%!
- Living Off-The-Grid in Lenggong Valley, Malaysia
- ReTuna – Sweden’s First Ever Secondhand Mall
- Things people are doing to save the world
- 66 Million!
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ஏன் கழிவுப் பொருள்களைத் தடுக்க வேண்டும்? காரணம் நாம் வாழும் உலகில் வரையறுக்கப்பட்ட அளவிலேயே இயற்கை வளங்கள் உள்ளன. ஆனால் மக்கள் தொகையோ நாளுக்கு நாள் அதிகரித்துக் கொண்டே போகிறது. நாம் நமது இயற்கை வளங்களின் பயன்பாட்டை ஒரு கட்டுப்பாட்டுக்குள் வைக்கவில்லை என்றால் நமது எதிர்கால சந்ததியினர் பாதிக்கப்படுவார்கள். கழிவுக் குப்பைகள் அதிகரிப்பதால் காற்று, தண்ணீர், நாம் வாழும் சுற்றுச் சூழல் இவையனைத்தும் பாதிக்கப்படுகிறது. அதோடு மட்டுமல்லாமல், உலக வெப்ப நிலையிலும், சீதோஷ்ண நிலையிலும் மாற்றங்கள் ஏற்படுகிறது. இவற்றைச் சரி செய்ய நாம் தடுமாறுகிறோம், ஒவ்வொரு வருடமும் 18 பில்லியன் பிளாஸ்டிக் குப்பைகள் கடலில் போய் சேறுகின்றன. நமது செயலால் ஒரு நாள் உலகம் உயிரினங்கள் வாழ்வதற்கே தகுதி அற்ற இடமாக மாறி விடலாம் என்ற அச்சம் ஏற்படுகிறது. மாற்றம் ஒவ்வொருவரிடமிருந்தும் வரவேண்டும்.
உலகம் முழுவதும் உள்ள நாடுகளில் சுற்றுச்சூழலைப் பாதிக்காத வகையில் குப்பைகளை அழிப்பது என்பது மிகப் பெரிய சவாலாக உள்ளது. உலகத்தைக் காப்பாற்ற வேண்டும் என்ற சிந்தனையை மாற்றி , எப்படி நாம் கழிவு பொருள்களைக் குறைக்கலாம் என்பதைப் பற்றி யோசிக்கலாம். முதலில் ஒவ்வொரு வீட்டிலிருந்தும் ஆரம்பிக்க வேண்டும். பிறகு நமது அலுவலகம், அண்டை வீடு, கிராமம் மற்றும் பட்டணம் என்று படிப்படியாக முயற்சியை மேற்கொள்ளவேண்டும்.
அதிகமான அழிக்கமுடியாத கழிவுகளைக் கொண்டுவரக்கூடிய பொருள்களை நமது பயன்பாட்டிலிருந்து குறைக்கவோ, தடுக்கவோ அல்லது மாற்றி அமைக்கவோ முடியும். நாம் பயன்படுத்தும் பேட்டரிகளை அழிப்பதே மிகப் பெரிய சவாலாக உள்ளது. எது எப்படி இருப்பினும் சுற்றுச் சூழலைப் பாதிக்கக் கூடிய பொருள்களை நமது பயன்பாட்டிலிருந்து சிறுக,சிறுக குறைப்பதே சாலச் சிறந்தது. இப்படிப்பட்ட செயல் நமது வருங்கால சந்ததியினருக்குப் பேருதவியாக இருக்கும். அவ்வகையில் கெச்சாரா சூப் கிச்சன் (Kechara Soup Kithcen) தன்னாலான உதவியாக துணிமணிகளை மறு பயன்பாட்டுக்காக சேகரிக்கிறது. நீங்களும் இந்த செயலுக்கு உதவியாக இருக்கலாம்.
Thank you for this article. By reading this article, i agree that we should follow 3R which is reduce, reuse and recycle as much as possible as it helps to make the environment clean. Its is true our planet’s resources is finishing day by day, so we as a humans has to take responsibility to prevent the usage of all the resources.
At the same time, day by day, our planets land is finishing as humans population is increasing and we are filling our lands with waste. So to make everything equal we should reduce our waste as much as we can. Thank you.
It’s inspiring to see how all the cities and countries working towards zero wastage to save the planet. The zero-waste movement is a lifestyle where people aim to eliminate their trash output completely. A good idea where there is no means of plastics, no wrappers, no garbage which will create a better, healthier environment. The zero-waste movement wants to reduce plastic pollution not by recycling, but precycling. I am glad that Malaysia is also putting effort to ensure that we separate our recyclables according to types. And reducing the use of plastic bags from supermarkets is also a good move. Thank you Rinpoche and blog team for sharing such motivating topic. ???
It’s good to understand zero waste concept. What matters the most is going zero waste. If we don’t take action or practice, what’s the point of getting knowledge. I personally think zero waste movement shall start from young at home. Hoping to make it an increasingly popular lifestyle in near future. ?
Well….have not heard of this zero –waste movement before till I read this interesting and very knowledgeable for every one to help to safe this earth. The zero-waste movement is a lifestyle where people aim to eliminate their trash output completely. A good idea where there is no means of plastics, no wrappers, no garbage which will create a better, healthier environment. The zero-waste movement wants to reduce plastic pollution not by recycling, but precycling. A zero waste approach also protects the health of communities by reducing pollution in the air, water and soil by keeping toxics and waste out. Very good approach indeed. As we all know plastic can take thousands of years to biodegrade. It will takes up valuable space in landfill sites and is polluting the natural environment, having a significant impact on our oceans as well. Every things starts young , it important to bring awareness of it to the younger generation before it too late.
A big hand of applaud to those wonderful places from all around the world as they are implementing the zero waste strategy. They have adopted the zero-waste strategy measures as to combat global warming and climate change issues. That’s nice and hoping more countries will follow.
Thank you Rinpoche for this interesting sharing.
It’s inspiring to see how all the cities and countries working towards zero wastage to save the planet. I wished so much that my city my country will be doing this very soon.
In a development country like Malaysia, properly tend to focus more on developing the concrete part instead of the green part. This part of the development is eating up the green part tremendously. Although many NGOs and individuals are working on the green part, yet without government support (this is always the least important part in their list) we have the limit to speed up the process. Not putting the blame to the government but we do need to work together to achieve this. This is a big goal. They rather spending billion dollars project on building concrete which will bring them dollars of benefits than on green program for generation to come. People don’t see the future that will effect our children.
Rather than talking big, Zero wastage can start from home. Start from educating our children. Starts from our own community. Inspired others to do the same. That’s the way to go…
Let’s go it now!
Every corner on Earth is beautiful, but once mankind “invaded” & take over the Earth.. all sentient beings are struggling & suffering a lot.
Mankind’s technologies & inventions are powerful but they are creating countless of side effects which are not bearable for the Earth. Due to convenience, selfishness & laziness, mankind have been inventing all sort of products.
We shall really think what good have we bring to the Earth in return..we shall do whatever we can before the Earth decided to take revenge.. “natural disasters” are not 100% natural I think..
If not now, WHEN?
– Tsem Rinpoche
Having conscious living around us is very important this day to the envoirament. Especially the global growing of people in this planet. All the waste people simple throw without proper take care will cause the life treatning to other living being in this earth. Raise our awareness look around us. If we don’t care eventually will effect us and the whole planet. So, start thinking this matter we will able to save and protect all the living being stay together in this earth.
Getting rid of waste without affecting the environment is a big challenge for countries globally. I think instead of thinking how we can save the world, let’s start with how we can reduce waste within our own house and backyard. Then move on to our office, neighbourhood, community. There is a long list of products we can cut down on or eliminate totally. The disposal of used batteries is also another big challenge with almost everyone having a phone and other appliances and gadgets.
In Kechara Soup Kitchen, we have an empowerment project using recycle clothes and cloth materials. You may want to support this cause.
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While all the acts above are noble but it seems to me as a stop gap measure rather than the ultimately solution. I don’t believe the zero waste initiative will happen but it is a “better than none at all” situation. The best word to describe the current situation for the lack of a better word.
“Convenient” is the keyword that make zero waste more difficult to implement. It is so convenient to buy a plastic bottle of water and throw away the bottle at the end of the day. It is also very convenient to pack food using the plastic containers provided by the restaurant and throw away the container at the end of the day. However, do you realize that the cost of convenient is very expensive. This planet can’t keep up with our demands, the resources can not be replaced so fast or some even can’t be replaced. And at the end, the suffering is us and our next generation. Convenient is always associated with our selfishness. If we care more about others, we will also care about our environmental and reduce using the resource in this planet and more on reuse and recycle. We can make a little different and it is start by oneself.
The essential role that at least we can play to safe the earth is actually lessen on wastage. For example wastage on food, wastage on the things that we use daily. Many countries has already started on recycle, reuse and reduce. To recycle things that are recyclable, for example plastics, glass and papers. Reuse plastics that are hard to dispose, for example using plastics bottles to plant flower, convert them into our daily use utensils etc. And, to reduce using things that are hard to dispose, for example, plastics. Many big organisation, especially those in food and beverage industries, have already reduced on the usage of plastics. They change from giving plastic bags to paper bags, reduce usage of straws etc.
There’s one of the ways of saving the earth is to reduce food wastage. Just like what Kechara Soup Kitchen is doing, to prevent restaurants and big hotels from wasting surplus food, they actually collect surplus food and channel it to the needies, like homes and urban poor families. To the needies, don’t even talk about surplus food, many of them can’t even have three full meal a day. Each of us live in the earth, we should play a part in saving our earth, every single small action will count.
Each and everyone of us need to play our own part in saving the earth. We need to reduce the things we buy by thinking whether we really need the item or not. We also need to control our food intake by ordering food which is enough to eat and even though we cannot finish, we should pack it into tupperwares to reheat it back the next day. We should not just waste food by throwing it knowing that it can be eaten or can be given to someone who needs it. Another way to reduce the use of plastics is to constantly use recycle bags for our grocery shopping.
In my opinion, the very first start of preventing wastage is from ourselves. Just basically look at our very own room, how many things we had brought and kept. We always take opportunity to get more where ever there are some gigantic sales without realising our limitations. Actually over spending is also another wastage hence we ended up being penniless. Therefore, we should make plan to secure our saving as well as our expenses. If we can’t even change our habits, how can we serve to the society?
I’ve seen quite a lot of innovative ideas using recycled items and they are really useful in many ways as seen in the pic below.
I am glad that Malaysia is also putting effort to ensure that we separate our recyclables according to types. Although not all the states implemented the move but instead of waiting for the government to push for it, we should do our own part. Eg when we take away, we can use our own containers and bags so that we can use it again instead of throwing the take away containers and plastic bags. And reducing the use of plastic bags from supermarkets is also a good move. We should buy bio degradable bags for other uses. Small steps go a long way.
Landfills are the worst kind of a disaster that can befall any country. Many of the richer nations will send their waste to poorer countries whereby they are put into holes in the ground and continuously filled until not longer possible and then overlaid with soil.
This kind of activity destroys the earth and the land cannot be useful anymore.
I am glad to note that many cities, communities and nations are taking part to reduce waste with targeted datelines to fulfill their goals.
Each of us should do your best and the guidelines given in this article is highly a possibility for each of us. Let us save the mother earth which we have all contributed to her contamination.
Tsem Rinpoche said – Every action creates a future. If we want to leave beautiful earth to our future generation, we need to work towards zero waste as the modern lifestyle has resulted in many plastic disposable items that are detrimental to the environment. Plastic takes up to 1000 years to decompose and imagine how huge our landfills will be if we do not reduce our plastic usage. Given how much plastic is being used on a daily basis and how long it takes to decompose, all the more reason why we should look into eliminating these in our lives.
The tips given in the blog post are really useful and will be sharing it with others as well.
Thank you for this useful post.
Zero waste movement is about reducing the use of resources or materials. Whenever possible, we try to reuse and recycle. Plastic is the main contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, our oceans are also badly damaged by the plastics. Therefore, it is important to cut down the usage of plastic.
As an individual, we can start to get involved in this movement in various ways. When we go for grocery shopping, bring our own bags that can be reused, not those that are to be disposed of. When we pack food, we can bring our own container. Stainless steel containers will be better because they are more lasting. Go and shop in a zero-waste grocery shop because they don’t use any plastic packaging and we bring our own containers to keep what we want to purchase.
If we don’t reduce the usage of plastic now, our future generations will suffer, they will face the challenge of lesser resources and an environment that is so badly damaged. As it is, we are already suffering from climate change and global warming effect. We can revert the situation if each of us starts to do our part to reduce the usage of plastic.