How To Reduce Waste Before Generating It?
Reducing the ecological footprint, a way of quantifying the ecological impact of our presence on Earth, is in everyone’s hands. One of the main actions we can take to contribute is to reduce the waste we generate at home. This is one of the keys to avoid polluting and protecting the planet.
There are some very simple things we can do in our daily lives to help keep the world cleaner and to contribute as little waste as possible. Here are some ideas to reduce waste before generating it.
What does it mean to reduce waste?
Surely we have all heard about the rule of the three R’s: reduce, reuse, recycle. They are three fundamental points to protect the environment. The first of these actions is probably the most important.
When we talk about reducing waste we are talking about the previous step thanks to which the other two will not be necessary. If we stop producing waste or at least reduce it to a minimum, it will not be necessary to reuse or recycle.
Good habits that lead us to not produce waste is always much better than taking measures to repair the damage. For these reasons, reducing waste is really the first step in helping to take care of the planet.
A responsible purchase
The first thing we must take into account when reducing waste is the importance of having a responsible attitude when buying. The goods that are currently on the market are increasingly disposable, objects that are used and thrown away.
It is necessary to tend towards a more responsible consumption, buy only the things we need and ensure that they are of good quality. In this way, by adopting a rational and conscious consumption, the products we buy will be more durable and we will avoid the production of waste.
Attention to the packaging
Another important element to reduce waste is to look at the packaging of the product that we are going to purchase. There are products that come with an excess of packaging that is also absolutely useless. If we choose the ones that are less packaged, we will be making a responsible decision.
The ideal is to buy products without wrapping and, of course, always carry a cloth bag to avoid plastic bags. If you cannot ignore the packaging, it is preferable to opt for those that are made of cardboard or paper and glass containers.
Home appliances and electronic equipment
As for electrical appliances, it is very common that when they are damaged we dispose of them without first trying to repair them. Ideally, buy good quality products that have as long a useful life as possible and, if they are damaged, look for all options so that a technician can repair them.
If repair is impossible, then a good alternative is to leave them in the places that sell them. In many appliance and electronic equipment stores they receive old appliances, since they can reuse some parts. If this is not possible, another option would be to take them to one of the clean points in your city.
A second chance
There are many objects that we no longer use but that are in good condition. Before throwing them away, it is important to consider that they can be of use to someone. For example, an exchange of clothes and objects can be made at the family level or between friends and acquaintances.
There are also many spaces that promote this possibility of giving objects a second chance. On the Internet there are specialized pages that operate like traditional markets but online . These spaces also give the possibility of buying things at generally very low prices.
How to reduce food waste
A good way to reduce food waste is to consume fresh and locally produced products, as they will generally have less packaging and require less transport.
Regarding packaging, it is always better to opt for glass containers rather than plastic bottles or bricks . In addition, it is preferable to always buy drinks in large containers (just like cleaning products).
Tap water will also always be the best option to avoid the consumption of plastic bottles. To eliminate a possible lime content, there are currently accessories that can be installed on the tap itself to have healthier and higher quality water.
