Questions and answers

What’s the purpose?

The test will show the extent to which your everyday activity influences carbon emissions, and how you can improve the situation. This is a good way of visually showing a rough idea of your impact.

Every test gives you tips and steps you can take for the reduction of your carbon footprint. The most common are:

• Food: cut down on meat and dairy; reduce food waste; eat locally and “in season”

• Travel: use public transport or bicycles, or walk; fly direct; drive less

• Energy: switch to renewable sources; take a short shower; switch off the lights • Other: reuse things, choose the best quality, etc.

We want to challenge you and see how much you already know about Zero Waste. Try to answer the following questions, or just enjoy learning more about Zero Waste by reading the answers below!

What are the main benefits of Zero Waste?

Zero Waste reduces our climate impact. Zero Waste conserves resources and minimizes pollution. Zero Waste promotes social equity and builds community. Zero Waste supports a local circular economy and creates jobs.

What does Zero Waste living mean?

Zero-waste living means aiming to reduce landfill-bound trash to the bare minimum – a worthy goal considering that a plastic bag could take up to 1 000 years to decompose in a landfill. When you look through your trash, you'll probably find discards that could be recycled, reused or repurposed.

Bea Johnson is founder of the Zero Waste Lifestyle Movement. Bea Johnson and her family are dedicated to living a Zero Waste lifestyle; they generate a mere quart of waste per year.

How do I get started with Zero Waste?

There are a few steps to get started: • Keep "the 5Rs" in mind. • Learn to say no to the little things. • Start eating real food. • Try using less of everything. • Join Zero Waste communities for support.

• Reuse water bottles.

• BYOJ (Bring Your Own Jars)

• Use textile bags and totes.

Is recycling part of Zero Waste?

The idea behind Zero Waste is creating no waste, and sending nothing to landfill. That does not mean buying everything in recyclable packaging and simply recycling it. Recycling is not a perfect solution, and still uses huge amounts of resources and energy.

What is the Zero Waste Challenge?

Zero Waste Challenge: Home Edition. Since 2013, the Waste Management Phoenix Open has strived to achieve Zero Waste, meaning everything used throughout the weeklong event (from food and drinks to building materials and signage) is either reused, recycled, composted, donated or used to create energy.

What is a Zero Waste Management Programme?

Zero Waste is a whole system approach to resource management centred on reducing, reusing and recycling. To make recycling work for everyone, we need to buy products made from the materials we recycle. The goal of Zero Waste is to: Maximize recycling. Minimize waste. Reduce consumption.

17 Tips to use less plastic:

1. Stop using plastic straws, even in restaurants. If a straw is a must, purchase a reusable stainless steel or glass straw. 2. Use a reusable produce bag. A single plastic bag can take 1 000 years to degrade. Purchase or make your own reusable produce bags, and be sure to wash them often!

3. Give up gum. Gum is made of a synthetic rubber, aka plastic. 4. Buy boxes instead of bottles. Often, products like laundry detergent come in cardboard, which is more easily recycled than plastic. 5. Purchase food such as cereal, pasta and rice from bulk bins, and fill a reusable bag or container. You save money and unnecessary packaging. 6. Reuse containers for storing leftovers or shopping in bulk. 7. Use a reusable bottle or mug for your beverages, even when ordering from a to-go shop. 8. Bring your own container for take-out or your restaurant doggy-bag, since many restaurants use styrofoam. 9. Use matches instead of disposable plastic lighters, or invest in a refillable metal lighter.

10. Avoid buying frozen foods, because their packaging is mostly plastic.

Even those that appear to be cardboard are coated in a thin layer of plastic. Plus you'll be eating fewer processed foods! 11. Don't use plasticware at home. and be sure to request that restaurants do not pack them in your take-out box. 12. Ask your local grocer to take your plastic containers (for berries, tomatoes, etc.) back. If you shop at a farmers' market, they can refill them for you. 13. The EPA estimates that 7.6 billion pounds of disposable diapers are discarded in the USA each year. Use cloth diapers to reduce your baby's carbon footprint and save money. 14. Make freshly squeezed juice or eat fruit instead of buying juice in plastic bottles. It's healthier and better for the environment.

15. Make your own cleaning products that will be less toxic and eliminate the need for multiple plastic bottles of cleaner. 16. Pack your lunch in reusable containers and bags. Also, opt for fresh fruits and veggies and bulk items instead of products that come in single-serving cups. 17. Use a razor with replaceable blades instead of a disposable razor.

How can we achieve Zero Waste?

Here are 101 Zero Waste tips:

1. Ask for no straw in your drink order when out. 2. Don't leave your house without a full reusable water bottle. 3. Ditch tissues for handkerchiefs.

4. Pick up a lonely banana. 5. Always say "no thank you" to free promotional items. They tend to be cheap and break easily. 6. Get a library card to support your local sharing economy. 7. Donate unused items in good condition to support the second-hand market.

8. Think second-hand first when purchasing something.

9. Try elderberry syrup if you feel a cold coming on, instead of immediately reaching for a plastic pill bottle. 10. Swap your plastic toothbrush for a bamboo toothbrush. 11. Turn old sheets and towels into handkerchiefs, rags, napkins and cloth produce bags. 12. Build a Zero Waste kit and put in the trunk of your car or carry it with you when you're out so you'll always be prepared. It doesn't have to be large – just a few items! 13. Wash clothes when they are actually dirty, instead of after only one wear.

14. Open a window to cool down your home or air it out. 15. Try to avoid palm oil.

16. Buy food without packaging, or minimal packaging. 17. Instead of buying something when you're having a bad day, do something – go for a walk, take a yoga class, meet up with a friend. 18. Repurpose stale bread. 19. Make dry shampoo to stretch between washes. 20. Surround yourself with items that serve multiple purposes to streamline and cut excess junk. 21. Commit to taking your reusable bags to the store. If you don't have them, turn around and go get them! After forgetting them once, you won't do it again. 22. Try canning to preserve food. 23. Use bar soap instead of liquid soap – it tends to come with less packaging. 24. Swap disposable pads and tampons for cloth pads or a menstrual cup. 25. Change light bulbs to LEDs. 26. Be mindful when using technology. 27. Take reusable produce bags for fruits and veggies. 28. Put on a sweater and socks before turning up the heat. 29. Turn the water off while brushing your teeth.

30. Don't buy anything impulsively! 31. Try making your own lotion. 32. Check out your farmers' market. 33. Make your own face mask from stuff in your pantry.

34. Try cloth diapering. 35. Get some houseplants at a local nursery to purify your air, and don't forget to return the little plastic pots! 36. Get rid of pests naturally. 37. Make a meal plan to avoid food waste. 38. Unplug electronics when not in use.

39. Try making tooth powder to avoid unrecyclable toothpaste tubes. 40. Buy more locally made goods. 41. Repair something when it breaks. 42. If you're looking for a specialty item, like camping gear or an extra table for a party, ask a friend if you can borrow one before making a purchase. 43. Plant a small garden. 44. Learn how to freeze your food without plastic so it doesn't go to waste. 45. Make your own febreze spray to freshen your room for pennies! 46. Start a backyard compost bin of heap. 47. Swap little plastic chapstick tubes for DIY lip balm. 48. Surround yourself with tools and items that are meant to last a lifetime.

Try to only buy objects once. 49. Try your hand at an easy all-purpose cleaning spray. 50. Look into collecting rainwater or a greywater system. 51. Store your food properly to make it last longer. 52. Find your local cobbler to repair tired shoes. 53. Know where everything you buy comes from, whether it be food, clothing or other household goods. 54. Ask for no plastic and reused packaging materials for online orders. 55. Pack your lunch instead of eating out every day. 56. Reduce your meat consumption. If you're not ready to go vegetarian, start small: try Meatless Monday, weekday vegetarian, or even weekday vegan. 57. Learn to regrow kitchen scraps. 58. Line-dry a load instead of using the dryer. 59. Try homemade mouthwash. 60. Ditch plastic shower loofahs for a real loofah or a bamboo bath brush. 61. Ask for a real mug at the coffee shop when staying in.

62. Always run a full dishwasher or load of clothes. 63. Most sunscreen causes coral bleaching – go coral friendly! 64. Bring your own container for to-go food and leftovers. 65. Ditch paper towels and use tea towels and rags. 66. Beware of greenwashing – always do your research. 67. Make your own deodorant. 68. If it's a 30-minute or less walk, get outside instead of driving. 69. Vote with your dollars for a sustainable future. 70. Bring your own to-go cup when getting coffee on the run.

71. Look into tree-free TP.

72. Learn how to repair a button or hem to extend the life of your clothing. 73. Look into rechargeable batteries instead of disposables. 74. Serve dinner with cloth napkins. 75. Eat more vegetables and legumes. 76. Keep a bucket in the shower to water plants or flush the toilet.

77. Wrap presents in newsprint or not at all! 78. Swap cotton rounds for reusable rounds. 79. Focus on experiences rather than things. 80. Switch from a plastic disposable razor to a metal safety razor. 81. Wash your clothes in cold water when you can. 82. Make homemade gifts to give to friends and family. 83. Try Wheatless Wednesdays to cut back on intensive grain farming. 84. Avoid junk mail by placing a sticker on your box or going to dmachoice. org. 85. Keep a stocked pantry to avoid getting takeout on busy nights. 86. Learn where to properly dispose of items like gift cards, old cellphones, batteries and unusable cords – some can be turned in at Best Buy etc. 87. Find your local tailor to help with clothing repairs.

88. Ask yourself if you truly need it before making any purchases. 89. Go paperless for all your bills! 90. Swap don't shop! Host a clothing swap with friends. 91. Pick up litter when you're out and dispose of it properly. 92. Make your morning cup of coffee with a French press or pour over with a reusable filter to avoid extra waste.

93. Ditch plastic q-tips for plastic-free or reusable. 94. Ditch sponges in lieu of compostable scrubs or brushes. 95. Try to shrink the amount you recycle. Zero Waste is about recycling less, not more.

96. Use both sides of the paper! 97. Avoid receipts when out – ask if one has to be printed. Sometimes they do, but not always! 98. Take public transit if available, or carpool. 99. Join a community garden.

100.Swap tea bags for loose leaf tea in a reusable strainer. 101.Take my favorite Zero Waste switch: look at installing a bidet attachment.

Where could you find additional information, and even participate in such projects?

If you are interested in ecological problems and how to find different solutions, or you just want to learn something new and interesting, as well as have great experiences in a different community from your own country, I recommend you immerse yourself through challenges like participating in events such as conferences or presentations, or even exchanges. Here I’m adding several portals where you can find the topic that suits you best, and have a chance to be part of the real action! And all without any taxes or payments… And they are as follows: • https://www.salto-youth.net/ • https://solidarus.eu/en/international-youth-exchanges.html

You also are going to develop your personal skills effortlessly, and extend your knowledge beyond your expectations. You are probably going to find like-minded people with whom you could collaborate on ideas, and recognize friends in.

If you want to learn more about sustainable goals and why they exist at all you should check this web page. And if you’re already a student or you’re going be soon, see this one. There are a lot of opportunities with Erasmus Student Network, and especially in the areas you are interested in… I’d like to say that – the biggest change comes from the best examples! To grow and to succeed you can keep to one rule: “Think local, grow global”. Unfortunately, there is a huge gap between goals and actions. Why? If you have read the Sustainable Development Goals, you will know that the 6th and 7th are connected to problems with waste and the poor quality of natural resources such as water. What is your government doing? Governments try to collaborate with the private sector and to implement the instruments with which they will improve social behavior and the internal corporate environment.

But this isn’t enough. Governments have to provide an example for the private sector, as they change their own behaviour. In Europe, employees in the public sector form up to 20% of the population as a whole. If governments enforce sustainable policies, the people working in this sector will change their habits in the work arena. They will then spread these habits slowly to family members at home, so that the percentage of citizens who are involved could increase by nearly 2.5 times. At this point, the private sector will have no choice, because of the changes being demanded, and they will have to rethink their policies and hopefully change for the better. It’s better to make changes from the inside than the outside, because that is the most natural way. At the moment, the share of the GDP from the private sector is nearly 80%, which means that corporations can pressure governments to accept politics and policies that benefit the owners of these companies rather than society. Most people don’t know what instruments they hold in their hands, and governments must show them by example. Of course, there are some people who wouldn’t choose to change anything, but they are very few, and in some cases they may not feel able to choose… for example, people who want to eat unhealthy snacks!