Sustainability is a catchphrase now that many people associate with recycling and walking to work or carpooling. But living a zero-waste lifestyle is so much more than that.
And while some people will take it to an extreme and go live off-grid in the forest, it’s still possible to leverage technology and live in the modern world in your pursuit of sustainability and living a zero-waste lifestyle.
What is Zero Waste?
The primary goal of the zero-waste movement is to send nothing to landfills or other waste disposal locations. It strives to ensure that the oceans and other waterways are free of trash and other contaminants. Some ways to achieve this are through recycling, adequate filtration of chemicals, and community cleanup.
The responsibility for zero waste lies with individuals, communities, and political leaders to create greener policies and provide incentives to live less wastefully. The truth is that no one can be 100% zero waste, but if the amount of waste was cut in half around the world, everything would be cleaner and better for people and the environment.
Can You Use Technology in a Zero Waste Lifestyle?
Technology can be a part of a zero-waste lifestyle. There are companies that are working toward creating products using only recyclable materials. They reuse old materials to fashion them into something new. By using technology to create packaging that’s both safe for humans and can biodegrade more quickly, landfills won’t stay full for very long.
Additionally, there are technological advances that can provide users with ways to be more mindful of their waste. With less energy consumption, and more.
Here are some of the top products that can help you live a zero-waste lifestyle.
Electric Cars
People need a way to get to work. When you don’t live in a major metropolitan area with great public transportation, owning an electric car is the next best thing. Not only will you benefit from no longer paying high gas prices, but you’ll also contribute to fewer emissions in the air.
The more people who take this approach, the better the outcomes and the more quickly communities will realize the benefits of zero waste living. People who purchase electric cars also invest in home upgrades like a Tesla charger to ensure they can always have a place to plug in at the end of the day.
Invest in High-Quality Electronics
When you do need to purchase things like computers for your work, a refrigerator, or a washing machine, investing in energy-efficient options is best.
People who want to live zero-waste look for companies with green business practices that also create the most energy-efficient options. They know that living zero waste takes everyone pitching in. High-quality products also last longer which will reduce how often these items need to be replaced.
Smart Thermostats
Your home doesn’t need to be as comfortable when you’re away all day. You can easily set the temperature to 65 degrees in the winter and 70-75 in the summer when you’re gone. This will keep your home warm enough without wasting as much energy.
Smart thermostats allow you to control the temperature from your smartphone, which means you can adjust it before you leave work so it’s comfortable when you arrive. For days where you work longer, this is more helpful for living zero waste than simply setting times for adjusting the temperature up and down.
Solar Power
Want to still use energy, but not take so much? Renewable energy sources like solar power help you contribute to being zero waste. You can collect and store energy from the sun to power your home and your life.
Additionally, you can add power back to the grid to put less pressure on finite resources like coal and oil. By using solar power, you can run your high-tech lifestyle while remaining energy neutral.
Smart Cities
Technology is enabling entire cities to work toward zero-waste living. By adding green spaces to filter the air, solar power on the tops of tall buildings, and leveraging a variety of IoT and other technologies to encourage and promote recycling and other sustainable habits.
Water filtration systems are becoming more environmentally friendly and using electricity for public transport instead of gas helps not only reduce emissions but also contributes to a zero-waste culture.