Many have seen the videos online of people showing off jars containing all of the trash they have produced in a year – as close to nothing as one can possibly get. These people say they are zero waste, but what does this actually mean in practice?
The basic idea behind a zero waste lifestyle is to try and produce as little environmentally damaging waste as possible. This can include purchasing items from the grocery store that are plastic or packaging free, all the way to buying all of your clothes from thrift stores instead of fast fashion chains. Many people in the zero waste movement shop at bulk grocery stores where people bring in their own containers and fill them up with food from bulk bins.
A zero waste lifestyle sounds very extreme, but it highlights an important point – people must find ways to reduce their waste as much as they reasonably can. If everyone took a first small step to reducing their waste, it would make a huge beneficial impact on our environment.
Sean O’Grady, MD, is a family medicine specialist with a keen interest in health, fitness, and green initiatives. Creating a healthier environment is key to a healthy population.
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