This problem can be seen from several different angles. Firstly, it is a psychological problem, where we seek the comfort of knowing that we have a lot: it gives us the feeling that we are safe and protected from poverty and hunger. Secondly, it’s an economic and political problem. We live in a strict system where shops and factories want us to buy as much as possible so that they can earn money. Capitalism is one of the positive aspects of modern society, but it brings with it some terrible consequences, and one is this sickness of buying waste ("junk" we don’t need). We can’t end capitalism, because it has taken root in our society – although alternatives, such as Marxism, have been proposed – but we can look at ourselves, and take control of our lives and our manner of shopping. Every time you find yourself wanting to buy something, simply ask yourself: "Do I really need this?" Don’t blindly buy it because of a desire in that moment. We should also pay attention to what materials are we buying – we must avoid plastic and paper at all costs.
Restaurants (to go, leftovers) Anna Ćaleta First of all, we should try to avoid restaurants and fast food chains whenever possible. At the very least, we can try to find local ones that are not owned by multinational corporations. Big food chains have a higher carbon footprint because they mostly serve food that they have pre-cooked or pre-packaged in other parts of the world, making single-use packaging inevitable. Try cooking from scratch as much as you can – start with a basic recipe, and then play with it a little by adding new ingredients or spicing it up. For work/a picnic/etc., you can prepare lunch and put it in a reusable container or glass jar, or use reusable wax-wrap for bread, sandwiches or fruit, and bring your own cutlery and cloth napkins. You don't have to buy anything new: just use what you already have at home. For those who are dependent on take-out food, there are also solutions.
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