On the road of attaining Sustainable Development Goals 2030, it is very important for us to take big steps now as the deadline is approaching day by day. Zero Waste Living is an approach that aims to minimise or eliminate waste, reducing pollution. As the saying goes, ‘As you sow, So shall you reap’, it depicts the current deteriorating environmental conditions we have obtained due to the careless misuse and wastage of our natural resources. Let us explore the article to discover how to avoid wasting your life, make the most of your time, and achieve a truly zero waste lifestyle.
What is Zero Waste Living?
- Zero waste living is a basic lifestyle that aims to reduce the waste in order to protect the environment as well as to bring a positive change in our daily lives.
- The basic aim of zero waste living is to eliminate waste, decrease pollution and to reuse all material upto the optimum level of consumption.
- In today’s time when the environment crisis is deepening, adopting a zero waste lifestyle is becoming a compulsion.
- Small changes in our habits can create a big impact for a longer run. This will make our lifestyle simple and as well as save the environment from degradation.
- Zero waste living not only promotes 5R’s, instead it teaches us how to prevent wastage in our day to day lives.
The Value Addition of 5R’S
With the initiative of 5R’s one can learn how to perform some activities at the local level, at home, or at the office to help in building a zero waste living lifestyle. Let’s examine them in detail:
Reduce
- Reduce is the process of performing mindful consumption instead of approaching carelessly.
- It relates to minimising the amount of waste produced by reducing the consumption.
- It can be understood in various ways, by consuming what is required, or by switching to a more sustainable way.
- For example, instead of going by seperate cars, one can carpool and go together to a common destination. Instead, when going to a nearby destination, one should prefer walking to be more sustainable.
- For example, turn of electric switches when not in use, take shorter showers, don’t delay in fixing water leakages.
Reuse
- Reuse is a way to make an item fit to be used again by finding new ways of doing it.
- Its main focus is to conserve waste by extending the life of the product. Repairing a damaged product can save more cost as compared to disposal.
- For example, use clothing bags instead of plastic ones for shopping, and use water bottles which are eco-friendly. Be creative and use your old items wisely.
Recycle
- Recycling basically is a process in which the waste items are recycled rather than thrown away as trash and start being used again as a new product.
- This process helps in conserving the environment and reduces wastage.
- For example, Recycle newspapers, magazines, plastic bottles, metal cans, etc.
Refuse
- Refuse is the process of declining unnecessary items which cannot be neither recycled nor reused.
- For example, there are some plastic items which can be recycled once or twice but afterwards it should be refused.
- Understanding the life of the material is important and consequently when to refuse it.
Rot
- Rot is basically related to composting in which we can make fertiliser with organic waste like leftover food, dry leaves and other biodegradable waste rather than sending this waste to the dustbin. This waste also helps in doing organic farming.
- If we adopt this method to decompose in an eco-friendly way it will not only save the environment, but also help enrich the soil.
- As we know that a large portion of household waste is organic then why don’t we convert it into valuable compost rather than sending it into the dustbin.
- For example, it is mandatory for commercial properties like Hotels in India to build a compost pit and manage your dry waste.
- For example, by using Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs), one can make use of soil waste coming out of buildings and make that water fit for purposes like gardening or flushing.
Benefits of Zero Waste Living
- Reduction in pollution and conservation of natural resources.
- The overall consumption is reduced, which helps in saving the economy.
- Consumption of fresher and healthier food is encouraged instead of processed food.
- It reduces dependency on plastics, making the environment cleaner.
- Zero waste living helps in mindful consumption of goods and improves mental well being of humans as it makes life much easier which leads to reduced stress.
- Zero waste living helps in preservation of biodiversity.
- Zero waste living is a cost saving method which gives economic benefit as it says to buy less and reuse what you have.
- Zero waste living also helps in creating jobs as its purpose is to recycle.
- Zero waste living initiatives also bring communities together as everyone’s goal is the same and collaborative efforts are needed for such a massive goal.
- Zero waste living initiative promotes a healthier lifestyle by reducing the use of harmful chemicals.
- Zero waste living is a comprehensive approach which is not only beneficial for the environment as well as for mankind also.
Include Zero Waste Living in your daily life
Every step counts, indulge in following practices to practise zero waste living at your local level:
- Stop using plastics, go for the clothes bag.
- Switch for the steel bottles rather than the plastic ones.
- Invest in reusable things like napkins.
- Use bamboo toothbrushes instead of plastic ones.
- Stop wasting food. The UN’s world food day has just happened, it also promoted the ideology to avoid food wastage.
Zero Waste Living Practices
Some zero waste living practices are listed in the following given tweets:
Despite doing such initiatives, we fail to understand how to avoid wasting our human lives, the secret lies in examining the true purpose of human life which is salvation.
What is a Zero-Wasted Human Life?
In addition to striving for zero waste living, it is equally important to align your life spiritually. The spiritual path of your life, especially after taking Naam Diksha (Initiation) from a Tatvdarshi Sant will allow you to examine the path that leads to salvation. A soul that attains salvation during its human life can be termed a ‘Zero-Wasted Human Life’.
Currently, Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj is the Tatvdarshi Sant as outlined in our sacred texts, Who is granting us with an actual method of worship to attain salvation. The method of worship of Supreme God Kabir given by Him is the solution to all your problems. Visit www.jagatgururampalji.org or watch spiritual discourses at ‘Sant Rampal Ji Maharaj’ YouTube channel to learn more about this.
