Do you know that March 18th is celebrated as the Global Recycling Day? 2024 marked the 7th year of this event which was instituted by the Bureau of International Recycling and UNIDO. With the increase in noise around climate change, terms such as recycling, upcycling, reuse have become buzzwords and are increasingly prominent in conversations about environmental sustainability. But just look even two generations back, and you will know that there is nothing new about these concepts that were a way of life back then. Our grandparents and great grandparents were the original champions. Many of us still practice this in bits and pieces, but on the whole the culture of use and throw has taken over our age-old practices of recycle and reuse.
So how was life back then?
When the world was still innocent of mass production and consumerism, incomes were low and resources were scarce. Everything had a much higher value attached to it. Common people were experts at being resourceful, finding creative ways to reuse and repurpose materials in their everyday lives. From patching up clothing to salvaging scraps for household repairs, nothing went to waste.
What led to the shift?
It is unfortunate but I believe that as the world progressed technologically and economically, convenience took the front seat and the use and throw culture took root. Of course, this was also exacerbated by the easy availability of cheap mass produced products, as well as the changing nature of jobs and work culture. Globally, consumerism and mass production have been driven by a combination of economic incentives, technological innovations, cultural shifts, and marketing strategies that have reshaped societies and economies around the world.
Another thing to consider is how war technology has contributed to consumerism and mass production. Historically, wars have often been catalysts for technological innovation. After the conclusion of wars, many of the technologies developed for military use were repurposed and adapted for civilian applications. Once wars were over, companies producing for war purposes found that they had excess capacity and low demand.
You might not believe bit a number of our daily use products such as jeans, cargo pants, Aviators, canned food, microwave ovens, Teflon coated products were all essentially designed for war purposes.
While military-derived technologies have undoubtedly brought about technological progress and improved quality of life for many people, their mass production and consumption have also contributed to unsustainable patterns of consumption and negative environmental impacts. For instance, many consumer products derived from military technologies are designed with planned obsolescence, encouraging consumers to replace them with newer models/versions.
The Western countries being more affluent and technologically advanced were the first to move to this culture. Developing countries picked up pace decades later.
For instance, for India, one can see a clear change after the liberalization and globalization of the economy in 1991. The markets opened up, urbanization increased, the middle class saw an increase in their disposable income and with the spread of global companies and marketing campaigns, there was a clear influence of the Western culture.
Additionally with changes in lifestyle and consumption patterns, with hectic work schedules and busy lifestyles, many people prioritize convenience over sustainability, opting for disposable products and packaging to save time and effort.
So, are we saying economic progress is bad?
Of course not. Growth is necessary. Growth is important. But growth needs to be balanced and it has to be ensured that it is not lopsided. Growth need not only be measured by GDP and income. A holistic growth of a nation, of its people needs to be planned.
And to do that, one requires a multifaceted approach that involves individuals, businesses, governments, and society as a whole. It is easy to say that governments and big businesses should be taking the first steps, but we cannot wait for them. We know that governments are slow to move and most big businesses are focused on their profits (again a single minded approach to measuring success.) – so it falls on us to at least control what is in our sphere of influence.
What can we do?
We can start with inculcating responsible consumption habits in ourselves and also influence others. This includes reducing waste, conserving resources, choosing environmentally friendly products, and supporting businesses that prioritize sustainability. I am sure all of the below are not unfamiliar to you, but it is always good to get a refresher.
- Reduce Consumption: Be mindful of your purchasing habits and try to reduce unnecessary consumption. Consider whether you truly need a product before buying it, and opt for high-quality, durable items that will last longer and reduce the need for frequent replacements.
- Reuse and Upcycle: Instead of immediately discarding items, look for opportunities to reuse them or repurpose them for other uses. Get creative with DIY projects and upcycling ideas to give new life to old or unwanted items, reducing waste and conserving resources.
- Recycle Responsibly: Practice proper recycling habits by sorting and separating recyclable materials from non-recyclable waste. Familiarize yourself with local recycling guidelines and facilities to ensure that your recyclables are processed efficiently and effectively.
- Minimize Single-Use Items: Reduce your reliance on single-use products such as plastic bags, bottles, utensils, and packaging. Opt for reusable alternatives whenever possible, such as stainless steel water bottles, cloth shopping bags, and glass food containers.
In my next post, I will talk about how we have been practicing recycle and reuse and how you can use those examples in your day to day life!
This blog post is part of the blog challenge ‘Blogaberry Dazzle’ hosted by Cindy D’Silva and Noor Anand Chawla in collaboration with Mads’ Cookhouse.