Are you familiar with the zero waste movement? The goal is to minimize waste production, particularly by changing consumption habits. With approximately 39 million tons of waste generated in Arkansas in 2024, taking action is becoming increasingly urgent.

What is the Zero Waste Movement

The Zero Waste association was initially created as a whistleblower to raise awareness of the dangers of waste incineration, then it quickly focused on the root of the problem: waste production and the squandering of natural resources.

Zero Waste plays a major role in raising awareness and supporting citizens, businesses, and communities in reducing waste. This movement is based on a simple philosophy: reducing waste at the source by adopting more environmentally friendly practices.

Its objectives are:

• to advance regulations by engaging with public authorities
• to inform citizens and explain the issues surrounding waste management and reducing wastefulness
• to enforce laws, denounce bad business practices, and take legal action against companies
• to assist and support local authorities and associations in implementing the zero waste, zero wastefulness approach on the ground

What is the principle of the zero waste movement

The best waste is the waste that isn’t produced! This is the motto of Zero Waste.

Zero waste is an ecological approach whose objective is to reduce waste production and wastefulness by changing consumption habits. While zero is an ideal goal, the idea is to generate a minimum of waste, particularly by prioritizing sustainable solutions such as the use of reusable and repairable items.

Thus, the zero waste lifestyle is based on the 5 Rs, popularized by blogger Béa Johnson.

• Refuse what you don’t need (paper towels, flyers, unnecessary packaging, single-use items, etc.)
• Reduce your consumption by buying only what you need and prioritizing quality over quantity
• Reuse by choosing durable and reusable items and favoring repair
• Recycle unavoidable waste properly
• Return to the earth by composting organic waste

The advantages of going zero waste

While choosing zero waste may seem restrictive at first, you quickly realize that this lifestyle offers several advantages.

Saving money

Once you’re equipped (water bottle, glass jars, cloth bags, reusable wipes, etc.), you’ll start saving money. By adopting a zero-waste lifestyle, you only buy what you need. Furthermore, reusable and multi-purpose products shorten your shopping list. It also means the end of impulsive or unnecessary purchases. Your consumption becomes more mindful. In bulk stores, you can buy just the right amount of food or other products you need.

Protecting your health

When it comes to food, the zero-waste philosophy encourages us to avoid packaged and processed products and instead choose fresh, seasonal, and local produce, which is better for our health. We are also less exposed to plastic packaging and other substances that can be harmful to our long-term health.

In the bathroom and for household cleaning, we also adopt raw or simple products like black soap or white vinegar. And we can make our own cosmetics and cleaning products using simple recipes. This way, we have a better understanding of the food we eat and the products we put on our skin.

Protecting the Planet

Packaging is created from new resources only to end up in the trash. Even though we are making progress, recycling is far from ideal. And the pollution generated by the millions of pieces of waste we produce each year affects water and soil, human health, and biodiversity.

By choosing a zero-waste lifestyle, we reduce our waste and the pollution associated with its production and processing (incineration, landfill, and recycling), we conserve natural resources (water, energy, materials, etc.), and we thus contribute to preserving the environment.

How to Achieve Zero Waste: Actions to Get There

Adopting a zero-waste lifestyle involves many concrete, everyday actions. Here are some simple practices to implement to reduce your environmental impact.

• Reduce Plastic and Other Packaging.
• Prioritize bulk purchases with reusable containers.
• Use cloth bags instead of plastic bags.
• Opt for sustainable alternatives such as glass jars or stainless steel containers. Drink tap water instead of bottled water.
• Put a “No Junk Mail” sticker on your mailbox to stop receiving paper advertisements.
• Adopt more responsible consumption habits.
• Choose local and seasonal products to reduce your carbon footprint.
• Repair rather than throw away (clothes, electronics, furniture); the state of Arkansas has even implemented measures to encourage this approach.
• Favor the second-hand market.
• Reduce food waste.
• Plan your meals to avoid waste.
• Use leftovers to prepare new dishes.
• Compost organic waste (household or garden waste).
• Opt for reusable alternatives.
• Replace disposable plastic bottles with reusable stainless steel water bottles.
• Opt for washable wipes instead of disposable cotton pads, cloth towels instead of paper towels, and ear picks or ear cleaners instead of cotton swabs.
• Use bar soap instead of bottled shower gel and shampoo, or make your own cosmetics.
• Participate in local initiatives.
• Join Zero Waste groups in your area to share tips and advice.
• Raise awareness among your friends and family by sharing your best practices.
• Support businesses committed to reducing waste.

Zero Waste Initiatives, Resources, and Associations in Arkansas

Because changing habits isn’t easy, many local associations and initiatives with ecological values ​​exist in France to support you in your transition to a more sustainable lifestyle. You can turn to national, regional, or local associations to learn about zero waste and help convert more and more people.

In many cities, there are initiatives where citizens can share their experiences and advice, and learn about zero waste and dumpster rental services, among other things. Repair Cafés are part of an international movement whose goal is to repair everything rather than throw it away. The idea is to learn how to repair your belongings for free with the help of volunteers and the tools provided.

Throughout AK in cities like Little Rock, workshops allow you to learn how to make your own household products or homemade cosmetics, reduce waste, and transform recycled materials into new objects (decorations, jewelry, furniture, etc.), this is called upcycling. Contact local organizations for more information.