What is Zero Waste?
Zero Waste, as the name suggests, is products and methods, ways of living that ensure no waste is produced. It's about reducing the waste, the garbage you create, or even not creating any waste at all. Zero actually means ZERO. Zero waste!
Many Zero Wasters report at the end of the month how much/little garbage (things that could not be composted or sorted) they have in a small glass jar. This reporting can of course be done for oneself, but it is very common to report this publicly on their social media. It is a way to inspire and influence others to do the same.
The principle focuses on preventing the generation of waste – therefore, one tries to buy things without packaging. The Zero Waste movement also encourages the redesign of resources, lifecycles so that all products are reused. Thus, recycling and zero waste go hand in hand.
The goal is that no garbage is sent to landfills, incineration plants or the ocean. At Västerbottenssåpa, products have been collected for those who want to participate in Zero Waste and create as little waste as possible. What you find here is something that can be composted or recycled. The web store at Västerbottenssåpa has its own section for Zero Waste.
How do you start with zero waste?
- Organize your waste management at home.
– Get a compost bin, if you live in an apartment without the possibility of composting outside, you can get a bokashi compost bin.
– Make sure you have practical sorting for paper, glass, plastic, metal so that it is easy to do the right thing in everyday life. - Plan all your purchases. Every time you buy something, think: can I choose a better alternative.
- Get steel water bottles for the whole family.
- Get reusable bags for the whole family and reduce the number of bags used.
- Buy what is possible to buy without unnecessary packaging.
Have the image next to you as a target image! This is how little garbage a family should be able to produce / month.
This is how you get started and you know what? When you have been at it for a while, you will find more ways, more ways not to create waste.