waste

Overview

“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” – Anne Marie Bonneau, Zero Waste Chef

What happens when you’re hungry? You often search for a snack — in your bag, the kitchen, cafeteria, convenience store, kiosk or market. How many items do you see packaged in plastic? What will happen to that waste after you eat the item inside? Will the packaging still exist next week? Next year? In 50 years? The answer is likely y-e-s.

Too often, we think that the lifecycle of a product begins when we make a purchase and ends when we throw an item “away,” but in reality, what we see is only a small fraction of its journey. Stuff (or matter, if we’re being formal) never really goes away. It may decompose or be turned into something else, but the vast majority is destined to sit in landfills or waterways forever, polluting our atmosphere, resources and planet.

Let’s take a step back and look at the entire lifecycle of single-use items, such as plastic bags, takeout food containers, coffee cups, bottles, utensils and such. After a single-use item is used and disposed of, where does it go? The item will most likely end up in a landfill, taking up to 500 years or more to degrade. Or it may be swept into waterways, ultimately polluting the ocean. According to a 2018 study, almost 13 million tons of plastic end up in the ocean, harming the entire ecosystem. 

Have you ever thought about plastic’s impact on climate change? The production and life cycle of plastic is fossil fuel-intensive and a major contributor to the climate crisis. It is estimated that by 2050, global plastic production will emit 2.75 billion tons of carbon, equivalent to 615 coal-fired power plants.

Is plastic hazardous to human health? The answer, unfortunately, is yes. Plastics are major health concerns, containing chemicals linked to cancer that can travel from packaging into food. Studies also show that plastic can break down into tiny, nearly microscopic pieces called microplastics, often present in food or water and easily ingested into the body. A 2019 study found that humans ingest around 5 grams of plastic each week, the same amount of plastic as a credit card. While plastic may seem convenient, it comes with harmful long term health risks.

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused plastic waste to surge, given the massive global increase in disposable everything, as leaders and all of us try to act responsibly for health and safety. Today, the newest waste found everywhere is a single-use face mask, which may soon outnumber jellyfish in the ocean. Millions of people wear one to two masks per day, in addition to gloves and other single-use PPE, producing mass amounts of waste. Concerns over cross-contamination have prompted many grocery stores to not allow customers to bring their own reusable bags, jars, mugs or other items. A majority of coffee shops no longer offer customers an option to Bring Your Own reusable cup. Buying in bulk has become a challenge, as many stores replaced bulk bins with prepackaged, plastic-heavy options to limit exposure. COVID-19 has changed everything, including consumption and waste of plastic, largely in the form of products which have devastating consequences for the planet. 

While it may be difficult to live a low waste lifestyle right now, there is some good news. Over 115 scientists signed a statement to underscore that reusables are safe to use during COVID-19. Reusable bags, containers and utensils are a-okay to use, if cleaned and handled properly!

Waste has become a negative byproduct of daily life, but it doesn’t have to be that way. According to 5 Gyres’ Plastic Ban List, the top six sources of plastic pollution (food wrappers and containers, bottle and container caps, plastic bags, straws and stirrers, and take out containers) can be easily eliminated. Companies like Klean Kanteen, offer reusable alternatives that make it simple and fun to transition to a low waste lifestyle without sacrifice. 

Think about this: in just one day, the average American produces 4.5 pounds of waste. So, how can we start reducing our waste now?

REFUSE. Plastic is a substance the Earth cannot digest, as Plastic Pollution Coalition reminds us. Refusing is the most important step you can take to reduce waste, as it significantly decreases intake.

REDUCE. You’ve heard it before, but reducing is key to less waste! Buying in bulk, choosing items with less packaging, and cutting back on the quantity you buy all help to reduce waste.

REUSE. By reusing and repurposing, you can greatly lessen waste and extend the life of your items! Reusable bottles, straws and containers are great alternatives.  

RECYCLE. Recycle what you can’t refuse, reduce or reuse to ensure your waste doesn’t end up in landfills! Recycling labels can be difficult to understand, so be sure to check whether an item is actually recyclable here or here before tossing.  

RETHINK. Focus on how you can change behavior to cut waste. Simple ideas include wearing a reusable mask, packing food from home in reusable containers, carrying your own water bottle, utensils and straws for take-out, and much more. 

A low waste lifestyle is possible and more cost effective in the long run, helping both your ecological footprint and budget. But it doesn’t happen all at once, especially when trying to live safely during a pandemic. By being conscious of the waste we produce and simple behavior changes, we can decrease our waste, lessen negative impacts, and even achieve positive ones collectively.