The best waste is one that is not created
March 30 is the International Day of Zero Waste — here are mindful nudges that can create a positive domino effect in our consumerist and careless society
Hey there! Danna here from SEArcularity. 👋🏼
Today, March 30th, is The International Day of Zero Waste.
This annual observance was only established in 2022 — a mere three years ago — when the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution at its 77th session to proclaim the day as a time to promote zero-waste initiatives with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development in mind.
Apart from the resolution highlighting the significance of financial aid, technology transfer, and capacity-building in waste management and sustainability for “developing countries” (in quotations since the World Bank brings up good points in its criticism of the term) — may I suggest the simple phrase of ‘countries that need it most’? — it also stresses the role of women and local communities in being crucial decision drivers of this transition.
🔍 Check out our deep dives on the circular economy (see: zero- or low-waste) strategies of Singapore, Vietnam, and Malaysia. Subscribe to stay tuned for deep dives on Indonesia, the Philippines, Thailand, and more!
At SEArcularity, we live for “raising awareness of national, subnational, regional and local zero-waste initiatives and their contribution to achieving sustainable development” (UNGA).
Our past newsletters have already covered the benefits of businesses going circular, businesses in Southeast Asia that reimagine waste, and top circular economy startups in Southeast Asia to watch out for.
This time, this newsletter suggests what you can do as a consumer who cares.
While systemic change is crucial, individual actions that propel the collective’s movement toward a mindful and caring society matter.
What you do—or choose not to—and more importantly, how and where you spend your money, may it be in dollars or baht or pesos, matter.
Below are some facts about daily consumer choices we make, accompanied by suggestions on how to be more mindful of your waste when facing them!
Hard Facts with Anti-Waste Follow-Throughs
👕 Clothing can be beautiful just as much as it can be ugly.
The global textile industry is a major polluter, significantly contributing to climate change with 70% of its environmental impact from raw material extraction and production and 30% from retail and use-phase activities. (McKinsey & Company via UN-Habitat)
“In Europe, the average return rate for clothing bought online is estimated at 20% — one in every five garments sold online is returned. The return rate for products sold online is up to 3x higher than for products sold in physical stores, and an estimate of 22-43% or on average, one-third of all returned clothing bought online ends up being destroyed.” (EEA)
It’s been said way too often, but it can’t help but be reiterated: Don’t buy clothes you don’t need. If you need to buy new clothes, avoid fast fashion when possible, try to buy secondhand, and make sure you’ll be able to use it as often as you can to justify its environmental footprint.
The same goes for purchasing clothes online: If you must buy a piece of clothing online, apart from buying secondhand and ensuring its necessity, make sure you have no other option available in physical stores nearby.
Sizing can be tricky—so avoid situations where you’ll need to have clothes bought online returned!
🥦 Food should be kind not just to yourself but to the environment, too.
“Food loss and waste account for 8-10% of annual global greenhouse gas emissions – nearly five times the total emissions from the aviation sector – and contribute to substantial biodiversity loss, using up almost a third of the world's agricultural land.” (UNFCCC)
Eat in a way that not only nourishes yourself but is kind to the environment as well.
Learn how to buy just enough food and store it properly to avoid spoilage.
If you find yourself having excess, give it to a friend who might enjoy it, donate it to food banks, or compost it—especially when it’s spoiled or expired.
*🚃 Transportation is best shared and fueled by renewable energy.
The transport sector accounts for approximately 15% of total greenhouse gas emissions, and road transport is the largest source of emissions from transport, accounting for 69% of all transport emissions. (IPCC) Passenger cars are a major polluter, accounting for 61% of total CO2 emissions from EU road transport and 41-55% of total road carbon emissions in Asia. (ATO)
In countries with inefficient and poorly developed public transportation, carpooling and switching to an electric vehicle can help reduce waste.
When possible using public transportation, cycling, and walking isn’t just good for the environment but helps you stay active, too!
*While the zero-waste movement is usually associated with tangible waste (e.g. materials and food), transportation ties into its broader ethos when considering waste reduction in resources and emissions.
💭 On the topic of responsible consumption, do you see yourself practicing hyper-consumerist behaviors or falling trap to greenwashing?
Inspiration corner
🇯🇵 Kamikatsu: Japan’s first ‘zero-waste’ town that practices many sustainable measures that could be scaled up in larger cities.
👖 MUD Jeans: Rated Great on Good On You, this brand from the Netherlands is the first circular denim brand in the world and aims to be 100% circular by 2025.
🌀 Loop: A global circular ecosystem that enables both consumers and businesses to access and return reusable packaging—from food, beverages, personal care, and household products.
One day, we dream of a society where zero-waste practices are so common and ingrained in daily life that there will no longer be a need for an International Day of Zero Waste.
In this ideal society, the zero-waste initiatives we try to achieve on this particular day will be our standard culture and everyday reality—as natural and instinctive as breathing.
—Danna from SEArcularity