ON A CORPORATE LEVEL
Cradle-to-Cradle Process:
Instead of a cradle-to-grave process where products are used then thrown away to immediately enter the waste stream, a cradle-to-cradle process takes into account the entire lifecycle of a product and ensures that it can be easily re-made into something new. The concept of this idea is that no material leaves the cycle to enter the waste stream. Instead, products are used then 're-birthed' into another, thus minimizing the amount of waste produced. Examples of companies who have adopted this process are General Motors, gDiapers, IceStone, and DesignTex. On the top right: click to expand to see a diagram on the process of cradle-to-cradle
On the bottom right: click to expand to see an example of H&M using a cradle-to-cradle process in the production of jeans
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EASY CHANGES IN EVERYDAY LIFE
Many changes we can make to our current lifestyles are as simple as buying a reusable water bottle or separating out the recyclables. Small changes can greatly reduce the amount of waste we produce everyday. One of the most successful ways to start a Zero Waste lifestyle is to minimize the amount of packaging we purchase.
Zero Waste Shopping:
To minimize the amount of packaging you purchase when shopping, the most helpful change is to buy in bulk or at the counter. This way, you will be buying more product with less packaging. Instead of using a new plastic bag every shopping trip, you can minimize waste by bringing reusable bags, jars, and bottles to put your products in.
To minimize the amount of packaging you purchase when shopping, the most helpful change is to buy in bulk or at the counter. This way, you will be buying more product with less packaging. Instead of using a new plastic bag every shopping trip, you can minimize waste by bringing reusable bags, jars, and bottles to put your products in.
A Zero Waste Home:
One of the greatest ways to have a Zero Waste home is to avoid single-use products. As consumerism in today's society encourages purchasing products that do not last long, the Zero Waste Movement stresses to invest in reusable products to minimize how much we buy and how often we buy it. Examples of single-use products include paper towels and tissues. Substitutes for these include rags and handkerchiefs. Composting is key to having a Zero Waste home. 25% of waste from American homes is compostable and composting typically does not cost more than $20 a month. |