When it comes to sustainability, packaging is the biggest contributor to waste in our lives. Proper packaging protects our items, particularly food products, and delivers quality goods with aesthetic appeal. Though packaging itself tends to get wasted. Once the product is removed from its package, or the food has been consumed, the rest of the packaging including the very product container, becomes a waste. According to the World Bank, more than 3.5 million tons of solid waste were produced in 2010 and that number is expected to double by 2025. Reusable packaging can be an easy, effective first step toward a greener future.
One way to save money and minimize waste is to reuse packaging. Many of us are not aware of this, but just our usual meals and drinks generate a lot of trash. Many people wrap or pack food individually or transport it in plastic containers or aluminum foil. You may have even been to a school cafeteria and seen the trashcan filling up quickly with empty milk cartons and wrappers. We need to think about what is good for the environment and for our wallets as we purchase products.
One way to save money and minimize waste is to reuse packaging. Many of us are not aware of this, but just our usual meals and drinks generate a lot of trash. Many people wrap or pack food individually or transport it in plastic containers or aluminum foil. You may have even been to a school cafeteria and seen the trashcan filling up quickly with empty milk cartons and wrappers. We need to think about what is good for the environment and for our wallets as we purchase products.
Reuse reduces waste because new products require energy and materials to manufacture them. Reusing products reduces waste by minimizing resources and emissions. Reusing products means more money for the consumer.
Reusing also reduces waste by encouraging individuals to have a sustainable mindset and carefully consider their daily actions to ensure they are green and sustainable.
Because of this, people who follow green living principles tend to reuse products till their the very end of their lifecycle, i.e. derive maximum benefit and utilization from that product, instead of changing products and throw away half used packages to follow some fashion or diet trend! This also encourages people to purchase high-quality products which are manufactured with better sustainability methods rather than cheap goods produced in detrimental working condition with minimal to no consideration for environmental impact. This is particularly important when it comes to clothing. Excessive cultivation of cotton, deforestation for timber and incessant use of petroleum based products are all very harsh on our planet!
Even corporations are starting to take more conscientious steps and implementing reusable, i.e. refillable packaging programs, where they are allow consumer to refill products.
The benefits of reusable packaging go beyond economics. Reusable containers offer superior protection and reduce damage. They are also collapsible or nestable when empty. In addition to reduced costs, reusable containers can improve productivity. By preventing unsaleable product from going into landfills, they reduce the amount of resources needed to manufacture and ship replacement merchandise. This also helps reduce workplace injuries. When we think about reusable packaging, we can see why reuse is the right choice for our planet and our budget.
Reusing also reduces waste by encouraging individuals to have a sustainable mindset and carefully consider their daily actions to ensure they are green and sustainable.
Because of this, people who follow green living principles tend to reuse products till their the very end of their lifecycle, i.e. derive maximum benefit and utilization from that product, instead of changing products and throw away half used packages to follow some fashion or diet trend! This also encourages people to purchase high-quality products which are manufactured with better sustainability methods rather than cheap goods produced in detrimental working condition with minimal to no consideration for environmental impact. This is particularly important when it comes to clothing. Excessive cultivation of cotton, deforestation for timber and incessant use of petroleum based products are all very harsh on our planet!
Even corporations are starting to take more conscientious steps and implementing reusable, i.e. refillable packaging programs, where they are allow consumer to refill products.
The benefits of reusable packaging go beyond economics. Reusable containers offer superior protection and reduce damage. They are also collapsible or nestable when empty. In addition to reduced costs, reusable containers can improve productivity. By preventing unsaleable product from going into landfills, they reduce the amount of resources needed to manufacture and ship replacement merchandise. This also helps reduce workplace injuries. When we think about reusable packaging, we can see why reuse is the right choice for our planet and our budget.
At the very least, what each one of us can do is to reuse and repurpose the many food bottles and jars that we buy, to store other food items in the pantry. Some of them can also be repurposed by converting them into decorative household items or containers to keep knicks and knacks! There are many videos available on social media that show how we can reuse and repurpose all kinds of food packaging from milk gallon jars to jam bottles.
Consumers have been increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of the products they purchase, and they have been voting with their dollars. As a result, manufacturers are slowly moving towards sustainable options. Corporations now realize that environmentally responsible manufacturing, sourcing and logistics are imperative and are accordingly modifying their processes. Government agencies are also now focusing on the problem of packaging waste. Hopefully in the future, packaging will become smarter and more sustainable. Companies must adapt to meet consumer demands. So what should you do?
Once we truly see the merits of reusing product packaging and make a commitment to ourself that we will live conscientiously and in a green manner, then it is easy to take simple steps to move in that direction of sustainable living.
Our individual action may seem too small, but it surely goes a long way to contribute towards a greener planet.
Consumers have been increasingly conscious of the environmental impact of the products they purchase, and they have been voting with their dollars. As a result, manufacturers are slowly moving towards sustainable options. Corporations now realize that environmentally responsible manufacturing, sourcing and logistics are imperative and are accordingly modifying their processes. Government agencies are also now focusing on the problem of packaging waste. Hopefully in the future, packaging will become smarter and more sustainable. Companies must adapt to meet consumer demands. So what should you do?
Once we truly see the merits of reusing product packaging and make a commitment to ourself that we will live conscientiously and in a green manner, then it is easy to take simple steps to move in that direction of sustainable living.
Our individual action may seem too small, but it surely goes a long way to contribute towards a greener planet.
continue reading...
- What is Green Living? What is a “Sustainable Lifestyle”?
- Why 'sustainable lifestyle' is an important part of Conscious Living- living with awareness?
- Reducing, Reusing & Recycling- Three key aspects of a Sustainable Lifestyle
- Decorate your home with natural handmade items- make a Conscious, Sustainable, Green Choice
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Categories:
Green Living and Life Management
Keywords and Tags:
#greenliving #reuse #foodpackaging #reducewaste #organicliving #wholisticliving #saveourplanet #sustainableliving #earthfriendlyliving #SustainableLifestyle #LiveConsciously
Green Living and Life Management
Keywords and Tags:
#greenliving #reuse #foodpackaging #reducewaste #organicliving #wholisticliving #saveourplanet #sustainableliving #earthfriendlyliving #SustainableLifestyle #LiveConsciously
