Discover Zero-Waste Practices to Revolutionize Your Waste Management: Could Zero-Waste Be the Solution?

Given that humankind has become more considerate of the planet's future, almost everybody, from organizations to individuals, is actively seeking new ways to help mitigate the increasing environmental challenges we face today. This is for the ultimate aim of removing the obstacles to more sustainable, greener living including the waste humans generate.

Considering the amount of trash people create, dealing with that waste sustainably takes work. However, there are different types of waste; some, primarily organic, will eventually rot. The non-biodegradable, non-recyclable waste ends up in landfills and oceans, contributing to polluting waterways and contaminating nature with toxic manufacturing byproducts. This is why most industries are shifting towards zero-waste packing alternatives.

It is exciting and inspiring to see the developments in the zero waste space. Some of the most known zero waste practices include refill shops, package-free products, and loose vegetables in grocery stores. All these relatively simple and easy-to-apply practices aim to reduce the need for single-use packaging. 

These initiatives encourage consumers to be more mindful of their consumption habits and make better, more sustainable choices. However, one question remains; are these solutions enough to tackle the waste issue? In this article, we will explore the practices available for businesses and individuals in the zero-waste space and examine whether refill shops and package-free products answer our waste problem.

What is zero-waste packaging?

Put simply, zero-waste packaging refers to packaging leaving no waste behind. The zero-waste philosophy covers systematically avoiding and eliminating the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserving and recovering all resources, from designing processes to product and process management stages. 

At the end of these environmentally friendly planned stages, the end product packaging should be reusable and recyclable. This means that the consumer can use the package for another purpose, like an edible container or “plantable” paper embedded with seeds. The returnable glass milk bottle or glass bottles of soft drinks are the best examples of zero-waste packaging that can be returned to local drop-off points for re-use. Ultimately, the concept of zero-waste aims to reduce the amount of material we send to landfills.

What are the available zero-waste practices for businesses and individuals?

Think about all the papers, plastic wraps, and bubble wrap that your products deliver in. Even if you don’t do much online shopping, what about all the styrofoam you see most fruits and vegetables packed in at the supermarkets? Even if the awareness of sustainable packaging is constantly increasing, it’s not always easy to opt for sustainable and zero waste options. 

The main reason behind this is the undeniably necessary function that packaging serves for businesses. Businesses want their consumers to receive their goods safely or the vegetables and fruits to last longer on the shelves without getting damaged during transportation. The full picture isn’t all bleak though; thanks to today’s fast-advancing technologies, various sustainable packaging alternatives carry the same function as traditional packaging in the market. There are also increasing numbers of zero-waste packaging solutions available for businesses that don’t compromise product safety, and there are even economic opportunities to be found for companies to shift to zero-waste packaging.

Here you’ll see a small selection of innovative, zero-waste packaging solutions and some easy-to-apply practices to help businesses and individuals reduce waste production in different areas.

While shipping

For protection and marketing purposes, most businesses use a lot of packaging while shipping parcels, with the amount of packaging used increasing for more fragile items. To prepare zero-waste shipping parcels, you can easily re-use materials you already have or opt for recyclable materials. These materials include but are not limited to:

• Cardboard

• Paper, magazines, and newspapers

• Paper tape

• Paper bags

• Tissue papers

Some more innovative materials and services exist in the market to encourage the reuse and recycling of packaging and the zero waste philosophy. These alternatives include:

• Plant-based packaging made from mushroom or seaweed

• Corrugated bubble wrap 

• Reusable shipping bags made from recycled plastic bottles

• Reusable packaging alternatives such as Returnity

While Shopping

It is still common to encounter food wrapped in single-use plastic packaging while shopping. However, we have some tips to follow to avoid using them:

• Carrying reusable shopping bags

• Shopping from refill shops for certain products to reduce your packaging needs

• Using mesh or cotton bags for loose items

• Choosing products that come in glass jars or cotton bags where possible

• Opting for materials like aluminium, metal, glass, or cardboard when buying products that don’t offer reusable, recycled packaging

While Home

Reducing waste production and making sustainable choices is much more manageable at home as it is your space, you make the rules. First rule: ditch the cling film and foil and replace them with sustainable options. More zero-waste guidelines you can follow include the following:

• Using glass jars and bottles

• Opting for soy wax food wraps for sandwiches

• Covering leftovers with silicone food covers/lids

• Storing in bamboo or stainless steel containers and silicone bags

Is zero packaging the answer? 

According to a recent UN report, plastic pollution could be reduced by 80% by 2040 if countries and companies make "deep policy and market shifts using existing technologies," which is HUGE. The report also stated that if recycling becomes more stable and profitable, it is possible to reduce plastic pollution by an additional 20% by 2040.

A zero waste future can help us to reach that goal described in the UN report, but it is only possible with collective determination to live a less wasteful life and adopt the better packaging solutions and alternatives mentioned above. 

A shift towards zero-waste packaging will give consumers and manufacturers complete control over their waste management with an increased ability to recycle and reuse. However, addressing the issues within the solution is always good to make it work better and allow for more efficiency when tackling the issue. The zero waste concept doesn’t come without its problems. Some concerns include the following:

• It isn't easy to achieve

• Too much focus on waste

• Too consumer-focused

• Cost and accessibility of zero waste products

• Navigating greenwashing

It is essential to address these concerns and encourage more people to adopt a zero-waste lifestyle. All in all, efforts for a sustainable and greener future should be collective in order to make a difference. Organizations/companies play a significant role in spreading the zero waste philosophy to the wider public. If you are still trying to figure out where to start, how to become a zero-waste company, or how to influence your consumers, check out Intengine's packaging directory for an expert opinion.

Tags: zero waste, waste management, zero-waste packaging, reusable packaging, sustainable packaging, zero-waste lifestyle, recycled packaging