ZERO JUNK: THE PLANET IS SUFFERING; LET'S REDUCE OUR JUNK!

 

Junk is everywhere, even before it becomes junk: over packaged products, single-use items... Removing it from our lives requires a total change, a new organization of our time, our expenses, and how we spend. The key: happiness, savings, and above all, ecology!

 

Principles, a movement, values, a way of life… Above all, it is necessary to preserve our planet! The Zero Junk objective has occurred in many homes; why not yours?

 

At the start, a simple observation…

Imagine how many garbage bags you take out of your house each week. Now imagine those bags sitting there and never being picked up. How long will it take before you can no longer open your door?

 

In the USA, each inhabitant produces an average of 437 kg of household junk per year; that's more than one kilo per day! And we're not the worst. The European average is 600 kg per person per year, and the American average is 700 kg. Do you visualize the huge mountain of junk all over the world?

 

That's not all; the junk at our doorstep is not the only one we produce. Indirectly, every purchase we make produces its share of hidden upstream junk. This equates to about 50 metric tons of resources per European.

Read also: 8 Common Junk Items must be Removed

 

For example, when you buy a mobile phone, it represents 1400 kg of industrial Junk.

We live on credit and consume more than we can produce. We do not allow the time necessary for the Earth to regenerate. This year, we reached overshoot day on August 1, 2018. This means we have been consuming resources that we do not have for four months!

 

All this is not intended to overwhelm us; we live blinded by all these novelties and promotions that push us to overconsumption. That's why it's high time to open your eyes!

 

Not only do all these products we buy come from resources we don't have, but they also produce tons of junk! So you have to reverse this chain of destruction to solve the problem: Zero Junk" is the solution.

 

Reducing your junk means buying less and fighting against overconsumption to allow the Earth to breathe!

 

Live better with less!

 

The principles of Zero Junk

What if, after undermining your morale, I gave you a little hope by telling you that we can eliminate 94% of everyday junk? Be careful; there is no miracle, and you will have to rely on these five principles, the 5Rs of Zero Junk.

 

To refuse

This is the key to zero junk! Before each purchase, ask yourself, "What junk will this purchase produce? Can I avoid it, and how?" "It may seem tedious, but you will quickly get used to it, and it will be over in no time! You also have to remember that you are paying for all this packaging.

Everything is replaceable; just arrange it a little differently.

 

The first products to refuse are those that are not recyclable. We abandon stretch films and freezer bags in favor of glass jars and bulk bags like those provided by a junk removal professional! We forget the wipes, cottons, and disposable diapers and go to the washable! So say goodbye to over packed cakes and prepared meals, and say hello to your stoves!  

Read also: 10 Biggest Mistakes to Avoid When Choosing a Trash Removal Company

 

Reduce

First of all, it is necessary to reduce its consumption. How do you turn something you don't own into Junk? We cannot. It may seem simple, and… it is!

 

Ask yourself, "Do I need this product?” "You will quickly realize how many unnecessary purchases you have made without even realizing it." Your wallet will already thank you!

 

Then you have to reduce Junk. Finished dinner and haven't eaten it all? Great, no need to cook tomorrow at noon; the leftovers are in the fridge and let's go!

 

Reuse / Repair

Prioritize second-hand purchases! Whether on the internet or during a traditional Sunday stroll to the garage sales, it is easy to find objects in very good condition that have already been used.

 

The same goes for your broken objects; give them new life by repairing and refreshing them. And if you're not too handy, find someone interested in repairing these objects or trading them for spare parts rather than throwing them in the trash.

Read also: Waste disposal 10 tips for keeping it green

 

To recycle

Composting

The good news, more than 30% of our household junk is compostable. Vegetable peelings, eggshells, apple cores… why throw them in a plastic bag rather than letting them return to the ground?

There are composters for all tastes:

·       The individual composter to put in your garden (we prefer a beautiful wooden composter rather than plastic, of course);

·       The individual apartment composter (bin to be emptied in a junk collection center or vermicomposting).

Do not hesitate to contact your town hall or community of municipality to ask that they provide you with a collective composter at the bottom of your building or in your neighborhood!

Read also: Guidelines to Get Rid of Old Appliances

 

Selective sorting

Almost all of us are aware of selective sorting. However, it is useful when done well. Unfortunately, only 20% of our Junk is recycled, and the sorting refusal rate is more than 30% because the bins are poorly sorted.

 

Check with your municipality to find out the sorting instructions, a little reminder shot never hurts, and the game is worth the effort.

 

Claim

As conscious citizens, it is up to us to share our concerns and actions with others and to open their eyes. So it's much more than an ecological commitment; it's a civic responsibility!

So talk about it around you, during a family meal or coffee break at work, take advantage of a presentation in class to share on the subject with your classmates, write a blog, share information on social networks…

 

Companies and industrialists are not solely responsible for this overconsumption; they know we can change things on our scale.

 

What's great about the Zero Junk objective is that you can apply these principles little by little; take the time to change your organization: you will see your amount of junk decrease very quickly!

Zero Junk at Junk Baby

Products without packaging

At Junk Baby, we are committed to helping you reduce your Junk. That's why all our soaps are available without packaging.

 

We also offer solid cosmetics such as toothpaste, make-up remover or solid lip balm. 

Have you already bought the solid toothpaste, and do you still have the empty box? It would be a shame to buy one; you can order the refill alone on our website.

Reusable accessories

The bathroom is one of the rooms where the most junk is produced. Cotton, wipes, toothbrushes... We offer you Zero Junk alternatives! Between washable make-up remover squares, washable baby wipes and compostable toothbrushes, your trash can will feel lonely, and that's good!