On Waste Reduction

Every day another incision is made in our mother earth. Implanted is the waste of our consumer society. Out of sight out of mind we pretend but how long can our delusions last?

Waste has become a major problem for the western and developing worlds as our lives of convenience produce an increasing amount of disposable products. Why is it a problem? What is the cause? What are some solutions?.  

The major problem with generating lots of waste is that a large amount of our limited resources go into producing it and disposing of it. Fossil fuel use for the massive energy requirements for this seemingly pointless process is the major concern here because of the environmental impact associated with its use. Add to that the wide and varied direct and indirect impacts on the delicate environment of the overflowing waste dumps and we have a major obstacle to the idea of sustainable living. 

If we look at what constitutes the average households waste we would probably find mostly packaging, food scraps and garden waste. It follows therefore that to reduce waste we need to:

 1. minimise the purchase of things that require packaging and if unavoidable buy things in recyclable packaging. Things like fresh fruit and vegetables, fresh bread, fresh fish etc. Growing food in the back garden is also very rewarding and practical way to do the same thing and save money too. And remember to take your own bags to the supermarket so you don’t have to take their plastic bags home. (In Swiss supermarkets plastic bags cost between 50c and $1. Needless to say not many people take plastic bags home. It is possible! )·     

 2. compost food scraps and green waste. Returning the maximum amount of nutrients to the soil in your garden makes the most sense. Your garden vegetables and your taste spuds will thank you for it. 

These handy hints on reducing waste are one thing but to really hit at the root of the problem we all need to stop and take a look at ourselves and why we have become a consumer society. I believe there is a deep rooted answer to this that will only be found after we stop and take look inside ourselves. I say this because it seems that the consumer society is a result of looking for contentment and happiness in the wrong place.