By now, we’re all familiar with terms like “zero waste,” “climate change,” and “eco-friendly.” And we’re so used to those images of turtles swimming in an ocean of rubbish, reminding us that our wasteful habits as humans are destroying the planet we live in.
Yet in our daily lives, this reality can still feel distant from us, and we don’t feel affected by it (yet). It’s hard to internalise the need to be nature-friendly when we ourselves aren’t starving or suffocated.
The truth is that the impact of waste is much closer to home than we think. The effects of our pollution have now snuck up on us in significant ways.
Let’s talk about the very real effects of waste, and some simple ways we can help minimise it. A lot of this discussion may seem bleak, but I promise you there’s hope, so read on!
We often think of “waste” as solid garbage, as in discarded plastic bags and used plastic straws. While these are indeed a major chunk of human-created waste, there are many other forms of pollution we send out into nature.
Here’s a quick sampling of just a few types of environmental waste humans produce:
With these examples, it seems nearly impossible for humankind to stop generating pollution. For ordinary folks like us, it’s certainly difficult to go strictly zero-waste in our daily lives. But I invite you to think of this with a “staircase” mindset: We don’t have to climb the whole staircase in an instant – we just have to take it step by step.
We each have to try, because environmental waste is currently affecting us in insidious ways, and it can only worsen if we don’t mitigate the problem.
We may feel nice and clean when our household garbage has been hauled off to some distant landfill. Unfortunately, even a clean-looking home could still be filled with harmful chemicals. Worse, these chemicals are already in our food, water, and air.
I’m talking in particular of the chemicals bisphenol-A (BPA) and phthalates. They’re common components of plastics such as water bottles, food containers, children’s toys, and plastic wrap. They’re also in sealed or seal-like items like canned goods, nail polish, and hair spray.
Scientists have labelled BPA and phthalates as “endocrine disruptors,” meaning they alter our body’s hormonal function. It’s no surprise that numerous studies now link these chemicals to a range of diseases including hormonal imbalance, fertility problems, fetal abnormalities, and even cancer.
The saddest part is that microplastics and plastic chemicals have leaked so much into our food, water, and air, that they’re now inside our bodies, too. Researchers from the CDC detected BPA in the urine of more than 2,500 random people they surveyed – and they were as young as six years old!
These findings point to an important takeaway: even the disposable items we consider clean could be detrimental to our health. It’s now crucial for us not just to dispose of them properly but to avoid these chemical-laden items in the first place.
I know that the facts above are hard to swallow, but there’s more bad news we have to face. In recent years, researchers have spotlighted a category of chemicals called “forever chemicals,” so dubbed because they’re virtually indestructible.
Now, 98 percent of Americans have been found to have forever chemicals in their bodies – and these chemicals are only going to accumulate with potential ill effects.
The most common forever chemicals are called per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). These substances repel water and oil, which is why they’re in so many man-made items like nonstick pans, water-resistant upholstery, rugs, and outdoor gear.
Even if you don’t use those items, take caution: PFAS have leached from certain landfills and wastewater facilities, making their way into drinking water!
PFAS are not only indestructible, they’re toxic, too. Scientists have linked PFAS exposure to multiple diseases such as kidney cancer, thyroid dysfunction, decreased immune response, and decreased infant growth. It’s another dire wake-up call for humankind to rethink the synthetic materials we produce.
Younger generations are growing up exposed to a toxic world, and with that comes the increased risk of illness among our kids. I mentioned above how fetal and infant development are potentially altered by chemicals like BPA, phthalates, and PFAS, as discovered by scientists. Besides that, there are other ways our waste is harming our children. To name a few:
These are only some of the ways our pollution is harming our little ones. If we adults aren’t really concerned with how waste affects our own wellness, we should be moved by how it affects our children.
The pollution humans create is causing a great imbalance to ecosystems, leading to instability in our worldwide food supply. There are three huge examples of this happening right now.
One centres on the dying of marine life. Human-generated water pollution is making our waters less livable for fish and other marine creatures.
For one, plastics and other non-biodegradables kill marine animals through suffocation, entanglement, and ingestion. Animals like fish and sea turtles tend to confuse floating plastic as food, and when they eat it, the plastic blocks their digestive system. These animals die either by digestive injuries or by starving, as they always feel full due to the plastic in their guts.
In addition, the same waste chemicals that threaten human health are also dangerous to marine animals. Microplastics and plastic additives harm the growth of aquatic creatures, and damage their gills and livers.
Economic experts believe that dwindling sealife threatens food security for humans, as 20 percent of our protein consumption comes from aquatic animals.
Another example of food insecurity occurs on land, with polluted soil now limiting our ability to plant and harvest crops. According to the UN Environment Programme, soil pollution curtails our food production in various ways:
If water and land pollution aren’t enough, pollution in the air also affects our food production. Scientists highlight the existence of “ground-level ozone,” which forms due to human-emitted compounds like nitrogen oxides. Ground-level ozone impairs plant development, so much so that there are great losses in crop productivity attributed to this form of pollution.
To make matters worse, a 2020 study found that microplastics are being absorbed by roots and deposited in fruits and vegetables. This means that the food supply we have right now could be contaminated by plastic compounds that are harmful to human health.
Phew. That’s a lot of bad news, isn’t it? For ordinary folks like us, it can feel overwhelming. How are we supposed to deal with all of this? What can we do to make our homes and environment safer from the impact of waste?
Don’t lose hope. Even in our everyday lives, we have many opportunities to reduce the garbage we generate. Below, we have a long list of simple habits and choices to transform your lifestyle into a low-waste one.
Quit buying disposable water bottles – bring your own beverage container instead. Glass or stainless steel are preferable materials over plastic. Also, ask your favourite café to pour your drink in your own container.
Reduce your consumption of canned foods and processed meats. Try concretely lowering the number of times you open processed food every week. Example: if you used to eat it twice a week, cut it down to just one.
Reduce the number of times you get food deliveries each week. Home-cooked meals are healthier and cheaper anyway!
Reduce your reliance on takeout meals. If you must get food to-go, bring your own reusable containers and refuse plastic or styro packaging from the store.
Buy fresh fruits and vegetables that are unpackaged. You can easily find these at your local produce stands or farmer’s market.
Skip packaged juices. Juice your own from local fresh fruits and vegetables.
Skip packaged snacks. Make your own from natural ingredients.
Try packing your lunches! We’re so inspired by bento, the Japanese art of packing appetising meals.
If you love tea, try switching to loose-leaf teas instead of tea bags.
Instead of buying kitchen towels and rags, repurpose your old linens.
Rethink the amount of cosmetics and personal care products you buy. How much shampoo or moisturiser do you really need per use? Do you really need separate brands for your hands and body?
Use homemade cleaning products whenever suitable. Vinegar mixed with warm water is amazing as a tile cleaner. Also, in my own home, I use an essential oil recipe to prevent and stop mold.
Roll up a fabric tote in your purse so you never forget to bring it when shopping.
Buy grains and other staples in bulk, so you don’t require so much packaging. Also try transporting them in your own reusable shopping bags.
When you have to buy new cooking utensils, try wooden ones.
Opt for glass or ceramic dishes instead of plastic ones.
Try dishwashing pads and brushes made of natural fibres instead of synthetics.
Try reusable wax food wrap, silicone, or cloth wraps instead of plastic cling wraps.
When hosting a party, use washable dishes and napkins instead of disposable ones. Better yet, host a potluck where everyone brings their own washables!
Opt for decor made of glass, paper, wovens, metal, or wood instead of plastic ones.
Choose rugs and mats made of natural fibres instead of vinyl. Recycled cotton chindi rugs are great!
Opt for wooden or fabric toys instead of plastic ones.
Consider washable cloth feminine pads instead of buying disposable pads or tampons over and over.
Opt for washable metal razors instead of single-use plastic ones.
Reuse your mason jars for meal prep, juicing, and jams.
Thrift-shop! With careful item inspection, it’s easy to score fantastic clothes, tools, and furniture at second-hand stores. Shop locally as much as possible. For an online version, try Facebook Marketplace or Craigslist.
Consider switching to bar shampoos so you don’t have to rely on bottled ones.
When it comes to cosmetics and personal care, choose eco-conscious brands – those that use natural ingredients, conduct minimal processing, and use recycled or recyclable packaging.
Walk or bike whenever feasible! Cutting down your car-driving time reduces your greenhouse gas emissions.
Reduce screen time. Redevelop a love for offline recreation such as reading, playing sports, or crafting. If your attention span has sadly dwindled (like ours), re-cultivate it through gradual time increments spent on hobbies.
Try gardening, and make your own natural compost as fertiliser!
Practise slow fashion. It’s all about limiting how often and how much you shop. Opt for longer-lasting pieces over trendy ones.
Shop as close to home as possible. Transporting goods emits more greenhouse gases and creates more opportunity for wastage.
Learn to repair things. It’s awesome when you can sew up little holes on your clothes or fix a part of your equipment, instead of throwing them away.
Take good care of your things. Whether it’s shoes and bags, or appliances and gadgets, treat each of them as an investment piece. Use, store, and maintain them the proper way. This way, they won’t break down so quickly, and you can reduce the volume of your discarded items.
Absolutely YES. Some environmental advocates say it’s the manufacturers and industrial giants that should be the most accountable for the endless flood of trash we generate. After all, waste should be curbed at the source.
I agree with this, but I want to add that we, individual consumers, have the power to influence what gets produced and sold in the market. If many of us switch to sustainable products, companies will surely notice that shift in demand. This is already evident in the number of brands offering eco-friendly alternatives for the mindful consumer.
I myself have started a personal journey towards zero waste. I’m not perfect at it for sure, but again, it’s the staircase mindset: one step at a time! I also realised it’s easier to live eco-friendly if I’m aware of brands that offer eco-friendly products that work for me.
That’s honestly why my husband and I operate Glowing Orchid Organics. We both knew that it’s possible to use natural, low-waste personal care products that still work wonderfully as intended.
Our products at Glowing Orchid are:
Despite the immense challenge we’re facing with all the waste in the world, I hold out hope that we can mitigate its impact on us. How about trying a small habit change today? Pick one from our 35 zero-waste tips above, or share with us your own suggestions. I would love to read your comments!
Here’s to a healthier Earth and a healthier you!
xx
Judit
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