It's Time To Hit Zero

Have you seen those “fit one year’s waste into a mason jar” videos on Facebook? The zero-waste lifestyle’s popularity brings us much joy and hope for our planet, but let’s get real: decluttering our entire way of life can be overwhelming. So, understanding what the zero-waste movement is about may be the motivation you need to get serious about it. The Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) defines it as a concept of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of all products – including packaging and materials – without sending any waste to landfills.

- Lorraine Chai

“Zero waste is not about perfection or buying something to reduce waste; don’t fall into the consumerism trap!”– Aurora Tin, founder of Zero Waste Malaysia

IT MEANS LITTLE TO NONE

“We’ve been relying on recycling to save the environment but doing that alone is never enough. There’s also been news about recycling frauds and scams that actually cause more harm to the environment. We’ve been looking for a better solution, and I believe a zero-waste lifestyle is the answer,” says Aurora Tin, the founder of Zero Waste Malaysia. At a time where the global alarm has been sounded on climate change and the natural disasters it’s been linked to, this lifestyle mitigates pollution and reduces your environmental footprint, creating a healthy and sustainable way of living. Unlike the common cradle-to-grave cycle, the concept emphasises cradle-to-cradle manufacturing where a product is recycled into other goods at the end of its life to avoid unnecessary wastage. “It’s practical. Anyone from any background can adopt it right away. Just start by saying no to plastic straws the next time you eat out,” shares Aurora.

Locally, she reports seeing more corporations embrace wastage-free practises in the office. “We have corporations that do not provide paper cups for their coffee vending machine, and who eliminate plastic straws in the cafeteria. There are also multinational companies who have initiated zero-waste policies in their supply chain.” She believes that with time and growing awareness, it’ll become part of mainstream culture.