By Francesco Fiori
Photo By: EcoPanda, Unsplash
Zero waste is a type of product that is 100% sustainable and respects the environment.
The concept of zero waste is becoming popular every year – but what does it mean? The short explanation is that we want to avoid sending something to a landfill. As part of this initiative, we consume less, save as much as we can, recycle as little as possible, and compost what we can’t.
The more complicated solution is that it’s just about redefining the structure.
To accomplish this, it’s important to embrace zero waste, and bring a bit of sustainability into our lives.
Marta Tarallo, 34, is the owner of Bottega Zero Waste, a company that started due to a “desire to reduce waste and adopt a more minimalistic lifestyle”.
“Zero waste living means rethinking consumerism. We are used to consuming so many single use objects without even thinking about the impact this has on the environment,” she says.
“Zero waste living, even if done imperfectly, is one of the best things you can do to simplify your life and appreciate objects more while preserving our planet.”
Overall concept
This overall concept can be applied even when it comes to cosmetics, she says. For example, her company uses recyclable or reusable packaging, which makes a huge difference to the environment and the zero waste lifestyle.
Tarallo is not alone. “Our packaging across our products and shipping packaging are entirely plastic-free and made up of recycled card, glass, aluminium and wood.,” said Nicola McFarlane, owner of Nicmac Beauty, a “sustainable, cruelty free and vegan beauty brand designed and manufactured with the planet in mind”. She adds that the company sources all their packaging from the UK and China.
They admit that sometimes going zero waste for companies can be quite challenging. It can be difficult to be sustainable and still have fashionable packaging, for example. Small businesses in particular might find the transition tricky as sustainable companies have to cut all unnecessary materials, such plastic, that create pollution or are hard to reuse or recycle.
Photo By: EcoPanda, Unsplash
Problems with going plastic-free
McFarlane Said: “Finding pretty packaging can be difficult as you are limited to what you can do. For example, we are launching a new product next month. However, due to being a plastic-free brand and the product being a liquid, it took a lot longer to find a suitable container that is plastic free and also looks nice and fits with the brands aesthetics.”
She has found sourcing the right packaging to be especially challenging as she wants a “very modern high end look and don’t want to be stereotypically vegan, i.e using bamboo and wood etc”.
While challenges exists when it comes to going zero waste, there are also advantages. “The opportunity starts with what you already have and being creative about how to make good use of those objects. When you run out of a product, that’s the time to opt in for a more sustainable option,” said Tarallo.
Tarallo says that zero waste is an opportunity to re-use whatever you already have whilst trying to avoid unhelpful wastage. Nowadays there are mobile phone apps that can help companies and individuals adapt to a zero waste lifestyle, such as Vinted, where you can sell the clothes you’re not using anymore. Some people might prefer this to donating their clothes to charity shops, where you can give your outfits a second chance and help the environment.
Helping the environment
Educating people about the use of sustainable instead of traditional products is crucial to help the environment repair and heal, says Marta Canga, sustainable fashion and beauty blogger.
“There is nothing more rewarding than receiving a message from someone saying that they have ditched cotton pads to remove their makeup thanks to a video I made, or someone giving up on meat or dairy following some awareness on plant-based food,” she says.
“There is a great lack of information in the public about the impact we have on the planet (not only from fashion and beauty) and using social media as a vehicle to raise awareness is one of the best ways to educate people about such important issues.”
Photo By: Anna Oliinyk, Unsplash
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