Stuff. We all have it.
The dramatic increase of the global population and economy over the past century means there’s more waste than ever before. And it shows. Waste created by humans is a major environmental concern, and it’s a problem that needs to be addressed urgently. Let’s explore why.
The waste humans create, and by extension waste management, is responsible for producing 20% of global methane emissions and roughly 3% of all greenhouse gas emissions. While the latter may not seem like a huge number, it’s important to remember all the additional greenhouse gases created in order to produce and transport each item before it ends up as waste. (Together, manufacturing and transportation account for roughly 48% of greenhouse gas emissions.) By dumping waste into landfills or treating it through common processes like incineration, the waste we create can be incredibly harmful to our planet.
The detrimental effects of the waste we create is what prompted the creation of waste management practices in the 19th and 20th centuries. Diseases brought on by refuse in urban areas (cholera, typhoid, and dysentery among others) spurred the implementation of centralized (modern) sewage systems. We knew then that harm could come from our waste, so we moved it elsewhere. Now that decision is catching back up with us. Simply relocating our waste is no longer working, and it certainly doesn’t make it less harmful to our environment and ourselves. So, what do we do?
Scientists, economists, and conservationists agree: move to a circular economy.
You may have heard this term used before; experts have been discussing the benefits of a circular economy for years. Unlike our current linear system that works in one direction only with no consideration to what we do after waste is produced, a circular economy makes use of all stages of a product, reusing and recycling what can be used again, and in turn, producing significantly less waste in the process.
For some helpful visuals, check out this infographic from the North Carolina Division of Environment Assistance and Customer Service (DEACS).
Unfortunately, this is not something we can achieve at the individual level; it’s going to need the significant lift of governments and large corporations to instigate this transformation. But, in the meantime, that doesn’t mean we can’t do our best to individually reduce our waste and, as a result, our environmental impact.
Let’s start with some of the simpler, more obvious options to reduce waste. You’ve likely heard these suggestions before, but the reason we couldn’t leave them off the list is because they’re that important. The following tips have the potential for great impact if and when you implement them consistently. Keep in mind, how applicable they are to you may depend on what products are readily available in your country and how waste management processes are conducted.
Utilize hand-me-downs at home (this is especially useful for growing kids who are likely to wear a new size every month or two!)
You may find that not all the above tips are applicable to both at home and at the office. How can you be more waste conscious when you’re at work? Here are some more work-specific recommendations:
These tips can make a HUGE difference, but in order to make the most of them, you’ll want to be sure everyone is on the same page when it comes to recycling guidelines, cleaning schedules (who is responsible for what, and when), and general office expectations. The good news is, being more aware of the waste you create every day isn’t hard; it just may take a bit of practice to become habit.
Don’t wait—get started now!
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Regenerative agriculture is the practice of enriching the land through farming and other agricultural practices; an effort that has been led by Indigenous Communities for thousands of years. Rather than stripping the ground of its nutrients, regenerative practices add to the health and strength of the soil and the overall ecosystem. In essence, it’s a decolonization of agriculture. 1“Regenerative Agriculture 101,” Natural Resources Defense Council ≫; “Native Growers Decolonize Regenerative Agriculture,” Green America ≫
Regenerative agriculture, as noted by One Earth, is “a pathway to an abundant and resilient future . . . shifting from the narrative of human dominion to one of healing our relationship with the Earth.” As a result, farms become more resistant to climate-related threats such as drought, flooding, and extreme shifts in temperature.2“Regenerative Agriculture and Food Systems,” One Earth ≫
Sustainable agriculture is the final step toward achieving regenerative agriculture. This is accomplished, in part, through the introduction of practices to improve environmental health, reduce the use of freshwater and harmful pesticides, and improve carbon storage in the soil.