World Zero Waste Week: Follow this guide for practices to support the movement

Zero Waste Week September 2 to 8 invites us to rethink our habits and embrace a more sustainable ecofriendly lifestyle Founded by Rachelle Strauss after the devastating Boscastle flood in the UK in 2004 this national campaign encourages everyone to reduce waste While achieving zero waste might seem daunting experts emphasise that small steps make a difference We tell you how and where to startHome Go greenZia Fatima a wildlife biologist and green living educator emphasises the importance of composting ldquoBy turning vegetable and food scraps into compost you reduce landfill waste and create nutrientrich soil for your gardenrdquo This compost can be used to fertilise your community garden thus reducing the need for chemical fertilisers ldquoHomemade bio enzymes are also a great addition they can clean naturally deodorise spaces and keep drains clear while cutting down on chemical use and supporting healthier ecosystemsrdquo she addsStudents should use both sides of pagesSubhajit Mukherjee of Mission Green Mumbai stresses that zero waste is more than a weeklong effort itrsquos a lifestyle change Donating unused items help prevent waste He advises repairing old bicycles in the community and donating them to those in need easing their commute to school or work Clothes should be made from sustainable biodegradable materials unlike polyester which comes from petroleum releases microplastics and can lead to skin rashes Consider purchasing preloved clothes in good condition upcycled pieces or repurposing old clothes as rags Shubh Mehta cofounder Change is Us initiative advocates for taking proactive steps to address eco wasteSchool The sustainable lifeSubhajit Mukherjee Zia Fatima and Shubh MehtaMukherjee believes that schools can play a key role ldquoThey should avoid mandating the annual purchase of new supplies clothes books stationery Instead they should encourage use of preowned items and promote the reuse of old suppliesrdquo Teachers must ensure students use both sides of their paper and fully fill up their notebooks before using new ones this significantly reduces paper waste Collegians can use digital notetaking apps which is helpful in minimising paper wastage and increasing their typing speed ldquoThere should be facilities to donate old textbooks to incoming students thus helping reduce demand for new booksrdquo the environmentalist suggestsOFFICE Ecoefficient spacesOpt for metal serve ware at workMehta highlights that achieving a zerowaste workplace requires practical adjustments ldquoItrsquos unnecessary to travel to different cities for meetings that can be conducted virtually this adds to our carbon footprintrdquo he says He advocates for eliminating singleuse serve ware such as paper napkins and cups recommending the use of cloth napkins and mugs Mehta also stresses the importance of replacing plastic crockery with glass alternatives as plastic can release harmful chemicals like bisphenol A BPA and phthalates which may leach into food and increase the risk of hormonal disorders and certain cancersTo combat energy wastage he suggests installing motion sensorenabled lights and ensuring that lights and air conditioning in vacant offices and conference rooms are turned off Mehta also advises people to be mindful of battery usage as overcharging can lead to battery deterioration and excessive resource consumption ldquoRegularly clearing junk emails can help free up server space and reduce digital wasterdquo he addsCommute Ride greenUse public transport when possibleMumbairsquos workforce can make a significant impact on reducing their carbon footprint by opting for local transportation methods Mehta advocates for using options like BEST buses trains and metros as this can help ease traffic congestion Chalo buses can be used by those working in commercial areas like Bandra Kurla Complex where the bus frequency is higher ldquoEvery year the public loses large amounts of money in parking fines so it is easier to switch to using public transportrdquo he says Carpooling is another effective solution that can be initiated by both corporates and individuals living in nearby areas this not only reduces the carbon footprint but also eases traffic flow Additionally Yulu electric bikes can be popularised ldquoThey are already being used by ecommerce and quick commerce drivers for deliveries we too can use themrdquo Mehta concludes