Every minute, a truckload of plastic waste pollutes the ocean. A plastic bottle discarded today can remain afloat until the year 2500. Even more concerning, microplastics have now been found in human blood. These facts serve as a stark reminder that if not addressed promptly, the Earth could transform into a giant landfill—one in which humanity must continue to exist.
In response to this concern, we invite the community to understand the concept of zero waste as a tangible solution to mitigate the plastic disaster. "Zero waste is not about living without producing any waste at all, but rather about minimizing waste from the outset," stated Calista in an educational video shared on social media. We introduce the 5R concept, the fundamental principles of a zero waste lifestyle:
Refuse unnecessary items.
Reduce excessive consumption.
Reuse items that are still usable.
Recycle by properly sorting waste.
Rot (compost) food scraps and organic materials.
Through simple actions such as bringing reusable shopping bags, refusing plastic straws, and refilling household products, the community can directly contribute to reducing the volume of plastic waste.
We do not have to be perfect. However, if millions of people can strive to be 10% better, the impact will be far greater than a handful of individuals living a zero waste lifestyle 100% of the time.
The zero waste movement is not merely a trend, but an urgent necessity. Small steps taken today can provide a breath of relief for the Earth in the future.