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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.
by Julian Ilich
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