In this article, we will be discussing zero waste. We will talk about its basic features, importance and benefits.
So let's dive in!
What is zero waste?
Zero waste can be simply described as a set of sustainability-oriented principles that focus on the prevention of waste and encourage a responsible way of a life based on waste prevention.
The main incentive behind this zero waste movement is to ensure that there is little to no trash in landfills, incinerators, and our oceans.
The Importance Of A Zero Waste Lifestyle
Why is a Zero Waste lifestyle so important?
The answer to this question lies in the fact that the Zero Waste lifestyle influences almost all environmental areas and has enough power in itself to potentially transform many things about the way our world runs. Adopting a zero waste policy especially when it comes to your fashion choices, is incredibly important. This is because the fast fashion industry is causing the most amount of environmental damage today and is leading to a shortage of many world resources for example water, for instance it takes 2650 litres of water to produce one cotton shirt and 7500 litres to produce one pair of jeans not to mention water pollution from toxic dyes by fast fashion industries.
Adopting a zero waste lifestyle can help combat this threat of resource limitation since zero waste actively works to prevent resource extraction and helps reduce the number of resources that are ultimately put to waste. Slow fashion industries invest in technology that help to prevent and reduce waste and only use natural or organic dyes which are non pollutants.
Quite commonly in our society, zero waste is portrayed to be something very difficult to implement in your life but that is not true at all. It is actually very easy to take simple steps toward zero waste. You just need to be more mindful, socially responsible, and well-educated with regards to some essential dos and don'ts. Other than that you don't have to worry about much. You can go on living your every day life while staying at zero waste.
A major plus point that is accompanied by a zero-waste lifestyle is that it is also beneficial for the pocket since it can often be more affordable in the long run. Like investing in quality clothing that will last you a lifetime and can be gifted down to generations rather than buying fast fashion budget clothing that are meant to be tossed and put you in a psychological chase for a new trend and attempting to fill a man-made void. Buying timeless designs that won't fall out of trend as well as learning to adopt a capsule wardrobe. Other examples are buying second-hand products, sharing when you can, and packing your lunch not only will you be adopting the practices of a zero-waste lifestyle but you will also be saving some money. Another eye-opening option is renting clothing, like the local company SPJARA (spjara.is) , the country's first digital clothing rental with an attempt to change fashion consumption so you can take big steps with less steps.
Our No-waste approach
At Gracelandic, we engage in smaller, smarter production runs, creating small batches of only what we need, with less excess stock. We aim to waste as little material as possible, and repurpose it whenever we can, creating scrunchies, head bands, scarves, hats and other accessories from fabric scraps that would otherwise be discarded.
Help make a difference.
I am sure by now you must be wondering, how can one implement the concept of zero waste, and is it difficult to do so? Well, switching to this sustainable practice is very easy, like I have mentioned above.
Mentioned below are some features and benefits of going zero waste.
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1. Say goodbye to long shopping bills
An important aspect of adopting zero waste practices lies in minimizing the products you buy. A major part of zero waste is cutting off unnecessary products that are pointless in terms of practicality. It basically transforms everyday shopping into a more conscious activity. Adopting a minimal wardrobe with items that you can wear together and only shopping for what you need vs what's on trend. Sustainability is about owning less by buying right.
Moreover, zero waste also means cutting off on toxic materials, for example, clothing made from synthetic fibres and that are usually made and dyed with toxic dyes, cleaning products that contain tons of toxic materials. You can instead use alternatives like vinegar and baking soda that are both sustainable and economical and buy clothes made from fabrics that are environmentally sustainable and safe for the garment workers and their surroundings.
2. Better job opportunities
This one might sound a bit different from the ones mentioned above, but zero waste can be a major incentive if introduced on a governmental level.
On average, zero-waste creates 10 times more jobs since labor is required for the various purposes of reducing, reusing and recycling. Further jobs are created in rental, repairing and transportation. Overall, this can greatly help stimulate the local economy by creating more jobs and will be a blessing for those in search of a job.
3. Old really is gold
There is no such thing as fashion trends gone old. So try shopping in vintage, thrift shops or rent where you have a wide range of choices to choose from as mentioned above in rental stores like SPJARA . You can often find really valuable items, at low prices depending on your budget and preference and it is the perfect way of making the best use of pre-loved items rather that spending money on fast fashion items that won't last long and are built to be tossed.
4. Recycled products should be your best friends
You will commonly find retailers offering recycling programs where you can purchase, refurbish, and resell softly worn garments. For instance at Gracelandic, we have a statement for our products; ''Made to last, If nolonger in use, please pass this item to someone else, donate it or send it to us for resale or recycling''. So if you ever find yourself bored of a particular clothing item that has been sitting in your wardrobe for quite some time, you can sell them here. This would be a great idea of getting rid of them without having to actually throw them away. Donating/gifting such items would also be a great idea.
5. Create new looks from old clothes
You can seek inspiration from fashion bloggers and transform your old clothes into new styles. This way you will make the most out of your purchased items and will not have to buy multiple clothing since you will be able to style an outfit in different ways. At Gracelandic, all our garments are designed to work together and you should be able to style them due to their minimalistic nature, and combine old pieces together or with brand new pieces from our new collections or pieces already in your wardrobe. The clothes are multi-fucntional and can be worn differently depending on occassion, personal style and mood. We also advise our customers on how best to style our garments.
Conclusion:
Hence, it can be evaluated that adopting practices that favour a zero-waste lifestyle will prove to be beneficial not only in terms of sustainability but also from an economic perspective.