You've probably recently heard about the popular zero waste trend, which translates to "no trash." Zero waste, in simple terms, is the idea that we should use as few products as possible that pollute the environment. The most popular and official definition of zero waste is the one proposed by the Zero Waste International Alliance , which goes like this:
Zero Waste is an ethical, economical, effective, and future-proof concept that enables people to change their lifestyles and habits to mimic natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use. Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to systematically reduce the quantity and toxicity of waste and materials, conserving and recovering all resources, and avoiding incineration or landfilling. Implementing Zero Waste will completely eliminate the release of harmful substances into the soil, water, and air that threaten the health of the Earth, humanity, animals, and plants.
Is such an attitude even possible? Are we capable of imposing such a strict regime on ourselves? It's certainly achievable. At ANSIN, however, we remain a bit more flexible in this regard – after all, no one is perfect, and we give ourselves room for error. We are definitely more committed to the less waste philosophy . In our opinion, as with everything, it's worth starting small. Who knows, maybe one day we'll achieve zero waste? If you're just starting out on your zero waste journey, feel free to use our zero waste ideas and start by changing a few of the habits we describe below.
1. Reduce plastic in your life
How to reduce plastic ? Simply skip plastic bags when shopping and choose products without packaging. You can also use reusable fabric bags or pouches (those made from discarded curtains are becoming increasingly common) to pack your produce. Pay particular attention to vegetables and fruit – these foods are often packaged in additional plastic. Be sure to choose the plastic-free option next time you shop.
2. Bring your own bottle or cup? Yes!
Did you know that many cafes offer a discount for your favorite coffee in your own mug? What's more, many of these places reward such orders with an additional discount. Living plastic-free is good for the planet and your wallet. We'd also like to encourage you to use reusable bottles – simply fill them with water before leaving the house and keep them with you at all times. This way, you'll save money and space, use less plastic, and never have to lug water packs from one place to another again.
3. Make shopping lists and plan your menu in advance
Do you enjoy planning? We know that not everyone is a fan of scheduling their meals and preparing detailed shopping lists. That's okay – you don't have to plan your menu a whole week or more in advance. Even 2-3 days will do. This way, you can be sure you won't waste any food. Before you plan to shop, we recommend thoroughly checking your fridge, cupboards, and freezer to avoid buying unnecessary items you may already have in your kitchen.
4. Sort your waste
The philosophy of less waste and zero waste dictates that it's crucial to remember to properly segregate waste, considering its future fate. Some types of waste can be reused through recycling, and this can make things much easier. To do this, be sure to check the segregation rules in your area. It's important for everyone in your household to know them. It may seem difficult at first, so print out a cheat sheet and hang it in a visible place near the trash bins.
5. Buy less, buy better
And here you're probably wondering, "Is this from a fashion brand?" Yes! At ANSIN, quality comes first. Thanks to responsible production and selecting materials from the best sources, when you shop at ANSIN, you can be sure you're choosing a product that will last. We also focus on eco-friendly materials like TENCEL ™ and micromodal ™ . This not only reduces microplastics ending up in the water, but also allows your skin to breathe better. We wrote more about the materials and their properties HERE . When creating ANSIN T-shirts, we also eliminated any unsustainable packaging because we want to support a plastic-free lifestyle . We ship them in sturdy and compact cardboard boxes with fully biodegradable filling, so you can receive your package intact and not worry about generating additional waste. Start small, limit your purchases to clothes you actually wear, avoid impulse purchases, and take care of your clothes.
Taking care of the environment is currently fashionable, and we're very happy that we've started exploring these concepts. Let's take care of our planet by acting responsibly . The clothing industry's impact on the environment and ecology are very important, and we'll certainly be mentioning this more often on the blog. However, we encourage you to make small changes now. Start with our 5 points! Let us know in the comments what your views are on this issue and how you think we should care for the environment. We're curious to see where you stand!
Patricia from ANSIN
