10 Zero Waste Tips To Save The Planet Earth | Celebrate World Environment Day At Home

5 June 2020. 

Confession: I have been an advocate of a green environment ever since childhood, but I hadn't really contributed much to the cause until I decided I will.

The Svaya was started with an aim to introduce sustainable and upcycled textiles into wardrobes of fashion-conscious women. And here we are trying to make a difference with every little step.

Listed below are 10 zero waste tips to save the planet and make a difference in your lives from the comfort of your home.

1. Netflix & think

There are a ton of documentaries available online to help you understand the downsides of waste. The first step towards zero waste tips to save the planet has to be watching these documentaries to educate yourself.

A few of the top picks are - our planet, before the flood, true cost, plastic ocean, chasing coral, river blue, biggest little farm

2. Buy Fresh Produce

Number two on our list of zero waste tips to save the planet is buying fresh produce from farmer's market aka sabzi mandi than packaged produce. Also, when you step out to do so, don't forget to carry your own bag.

3. Eat Wisely

No, this isn't another post about turning you into a vegan. However, know the carbon footprint of your meal. Organic meat and poultry are far less damaging to your body and to the environment. Licious shows you the journey of their meat ensuring transparency in the process.

4. Save Water

Isn't it imperative to have this point on our list of zero-waste tips to save the planet? Use this calculator to get an idea about your daily water consumption. From reusing the discarded RO water for moping to watering your plants with water used to rinse vegetables, to reducing your shower time - all you need are a few conscious steps to reduce your water footprint. You could go a step ahead and install a Rain Water Harvesting system at home too. 

5. Reduce. Reuse. Recycle

Everyone talks about it but no one understands it thoroughly. Simply put, reduce what you buy, reuse what you already have, and recycle what cannot be reused. Recycle wine bottles into water bottles, reuse glass jars, and plastic boxes into storage containers. Carry your own mug/ bottle/ bag/ straw to bring back zero-to-no waste at home.

6. Plant A Tree

You can now plant a tree in just a few clicks on grow-trees.com. Alternatively, you can shop from us and we'd plant one for you. The second option also helps in providing livelihood to low wage workers and artisans who are a part of our supply.

7. Donate Don't Discard

If you have clothes you don't wear or wish to discard, instead of throwing them away, find NGOs that donate it to the needy. There are a ton of underprivileged folks who need sweaters or blankets or bed sheets or suits. You could donate your cotton fabrics to Goonj to help them create pads for the women who strive even for basic menstrual hygiene.

8. Quit Printing

We have zeroed down our printing to the bare minimum. We email invoices instead of printing them, recycle printed paper to draw sketches. In the span of last 2 years, we have consumed only 1.5 packet of regular A4 90 GSM paper i.e. approximately 750 sheets; out of which many have been recycled for our sketch and design development.

9. Shop Wisely

Know what you buy and from where you buy it. Are the products you have comprising of pesticide-free, chemical-free, organic origin? Are these products created from upcycled, recycled fabrics? Or are these products leading to single-use waste and release microfibers with each wash? Ask the shops/ brands you buy from the journey of their products.

For example, we mention in our description if the fabric is upcycled leading to a positive impact in the circular economy or procured from a local artisan - helping promote the crafts and textiles of India.

10. Compost At Home

About 8% of the world's greenhouse gases are a result of the food we collectively waste. The solution? Simple. Just install a composting unit at home and you can use it in your kitchen garden or sell the manure created from compost. Plus, the greenhouse gases you produce are not as harmful and potent.

Well, now that we have shared our list with you, we encourage you to share your thoughts or hacks with us on Zero Waste. What is it that you do to decrease the waste produced?