Did you know that the average person generates 1.5 kg of trash per day? This equates to more than 500 kg per year, contributing to ocean and landfill pollution. This 7-day challenge will help you drastically reduce your trash through simple and effective changes. Transform your habits in a week!
Day 1: Analysis and Awareness
Objective: Identify what type of trash you produce.
- Activity: Store all the trash you generate in a clear bag. At the end of the day, analyze:
- Which items are most common? (plastics, organic, paper).
- Which are avoidable?
- Key fact: 60% of household waste is recyclable or compostable.
Day 2: The 3 Rs Revolution (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle)
Focus: Prioritize in this order.
- Reduce:
- Say “no” to plastic bags and bring your own reusable bags.
- Avoid overpackaged products.
- Reuse:
- Use glass jars to store food.
- Turn old t-shirts into cleaning rags.
- Recycle:
- Learn how to separate properly (paper, plastic, glass, organic products).
Day 3: Smart Shopping
Strategy: Buy in bulk and choose sustainable products.
- Where to buy:
- Local markets and bulk stores.
- Products with compostable or reusable packaging.
- What to bring:
- Cloth bags for fruits and vegetables.
- Airtight containers for meats and dairy products.
Day 4: Zero Waste Cooking
Key: Make the most of your food.
- Techniques:
- Composting: Make compost with fruit and vegetable scraps.
- Stocks: Use vegetable peelings to make nutritious stocks.
- Preserves: Take advantage of seasonal surpluses.
Day 5: Zero Waste Personal Hygiene
Sustainable Alternatives:
- Solid soap and shampoo: Avoid plastic packaging.
- Bamboo toothbrushes: Biodegradable.
- Reusable towels: Replace disposable cotton pads.
- DIY Recipe: Toothpaste with baking soda and coconut oil.
Day 6: Eco-Friendly Home Cleaning
Natural products:
- Vinegar and baking soda: To clean surfaces and disinfect.
- Neutral soap: Diluted in water for multiple uses.
- Loofah sponges: Natural alternative to synthetic sponges.
Day 7: Reflection and Planning
Evaluation:
- How much waste have you managed to reduce?
- What habits can you maintain long-term?
- Set goals:
- Reduce your trash by 50% in one month.
- Incorporate a new zero-waste practice every week.
Challenge Benefits
- Environmental: Less waste in landfills and oceans.
- Economic: Savings by buying in bulk and avoiding single-use products.
- Health: Natural products reduce exposure to toxic chemicals.
Additional Tips
- Community: Join local zero-waste groups to share tips and resources.
- Education: Involve your family in the challenge to multiply the impact.
- Innovation: Explore new ways to reuse waste (e.g., make recycled paper).
“The best waste is the one you don’t create.” — Bea Johnson, pioneer of the zero-waste movement.
