Here are five ways to help you tackle the problem of waste generation on a micro level
The recent fire that broke out in the Brahmpauram solid waste treatment plant in Kochi, Kerala exemplified the unscientific waste management systems still being practiced in the country at the micro and macro levels. Waste management has become a serious concern in metro cities where towering landfills emit toxic gases like methane, which has 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide and can seriously precipitate global warming. What is alarming is that The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in its 2021 report, predicted that India will generate 165 million tonnes of waste by 2030 and 436 million tonnes by 2050.
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Here are a however a few steps which can help all of us to control waste generation:
Switch to nature-friendly diapers and napkins
A 2022 report (‘Sanitary Waste Management in India: Challenges and Agenda’ ) released by the Centre for Science and Environment stated that India releases approximately 925 tonnes of sanitary napkins and baby diapers into the environment and this accounts for 0.65 percent of the solid waste. These napkins that use plastic as a primary material when dumped in open areas, pose serious environmental hazards. To prevent this, we can switch to biodegradable diapers, sustainably made napkins or reusable menstruation cups which can be used for up to ten years.
Choose green gifting options
No festival or special occasion in India is complete without gifts but how many of these ultimately end up in landfills? And how can we make gifting greener? Social organisation, Grow-Trees.com can show you how. This site offers you an option to gift trees to your loved ones on various occasions like birthdays, anniversaries, and festivals. You just need to log on to ‘www.grow-trees.com‘ , gift a tree or trees with just a click and you will receive an eTreeCertificate! This is a living and breathing gift that can benefit the planet in the long run as trees help to conserve the ecosystem.
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Plan your meals efficiently
The United Nations Environment Programme’s Food Waste Index Report 2021 states that Indian households generate 50 kilograms of food waste per person each year and this food wastage is estimated to generate 3.3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide. This can be avoided through proper food planning at home, not hoarding, and prepping and cooking only quantities that can be consumed quickly. Organise your fridge and cupboards with the FIFO (First In First Out) system where you push the newly bought food to the back and use what is visible in the front row before it turns stale.
Go paperless
Media reports suggest that only a minimum percentage of paper waste is collected and segregated, and the rest is added to landfills. Going digital is one of the ways through which we can reduce this waste. Additionally, this can reduce the carbon footprint and help in saving millions of trees from being cut. Consider digital subscriptions for your magazines and newspapers. and pay your bills online so that you can receive e-receipts. Instead of using sticky notes, use a ‘to-do list’ app and instead of retaining multiple copies of documents like your ID cards, and mark sheets, you can scan them and store them on your device.
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Reduce, Reuse and Recycle
The three R’s of sustainability will always hold you in good stead so switch to mindful consumption, repair and reuse things and gadgets and recycle what you can. Buy slow fashion, sustainable clothing, choose labels and vendors with green sensibilities when you shop, cut out single use plastics from your life and carry your own water bottles, mugs and cutlery while travelling. Recycle cardboard boxes for storing stationery for crafts, old clothes to make napkins, bags or cleaning rags and give away stuff which is in good condition to those who will value what you don’t need anymore. Use food waste such as egg shells, vegetable and fruit peels as compost for your plants and turn old jam jars into tea light containers and use wine bottles for decoupage projects and jute crafts.
Tags: #carbon, #environment, #getgreengetgrowing, #globalwarming, #gngagritech, #greenstories, #nature, #waste, #wastemanagement, #wasterecycling, #Wastetoworth
