Practically everything you enjoy in life — the food you eat, the clothes you wear, the gadgets and gear that you use for work and play, and even the home you live in — all require resources, most of which take a large amount of time to replenish.
The reality that people should be aware of is that the possibility of these resources being gone and becoming things that are only read about in books is becoming more and more likely, if current trends are not reversed. And contrary to the belief that reversing these trends requires the actions of governments and powerful organisations, everyone can do his or her part to preserve resources through waste minimisation.
Waste minimisation simply means reducing the waste produced in various activities. This will allow precious resources, especially raw materials and the energy used in production, to be preserved for more important uses, and over time, replenished to an acceptable level.
One integral component of this endeavour is good waste management. Good waste management is not just about recycling. Although recycling is a valuable component of good waste management, equally important is the idea of putting your bin on a diet.
How do you accomplish this? Here are a few handy tips.
· Whether you are buying food, consumer goods or any other product, opt for those with the minimum amount of packaging. Whenever possible, opt for products that are packaged using recyclable materials. Also, consider bringing reusable containers like shopping bags with you when going to the store.
· When shopping for household items, opt to buy in bulk. This will help you save more money and this also reduces the overall need for packaging.
· Opt for reusable items like pens, razors and shopping bags. This will allow you to gain more utility from items and to reduce waste.
· Instead of using disposable wipes for drying plates and utensils, opt for dish cloths. You can also re-use old clothes for wiping household items and furniture.
· Instead of buying bottled water, invest in a quality water bottle that will allow you to bring tap water with you. This saves money and reduces the amount of water bottles that need to be recycled.
· Be more purposeful in shopping. Instead of going to the supermarket and grabbing anything that catches your attention, take the time to list down the specific items that you need. This helps you save money and reduces the need to throw away expired food.
· Whether you are packing meals or storing leftovers, opt for reusable containers instead of foil wraps.
· Consider using both sides of a piece of paper when taking notes. Better yet, re-use old documents which have a print on just one side.
· If your service provider offers an option for paperless billing, sign up for one.
· For unused gadgets and electronic accessories, you can try contacting charity organisations which recycle these.
· Give your garden a much-needed boost in nutrition by turning leftover food and organic household waste into compost.
· For books, toys and clothes that you no longer need or want, consider donating these to charity.