The world generates 2.01 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste annually, of which 33% is unmanaged and becomes a threat to the environment. India itself produces 62 million tonnes of waste annually which is predicted to reach 165 million by 2030. Out of these million tonnes of municipal solid wastes produced, 31 million tonnes are not treated properly and dumped in landfill sites. Just 11.9 million tonnes is treated annually, leaving the environment polluted with harmful toxins.
Fluid wastes, which are discharged in the seas, rot on the sea bed and make it dangerous and difficult for marine animals to survive. This toxic environment leads to extinction, undesirable mutations and the lowering and impairment of their reproductive capabilities. To lower — and therefore abolish — this trend, we need to take into consideration certain recuperating methods.
One of the most famous and widely known processes that can lessen this burden on the environment is the three Rs, which stand for Reduce, Reuse and Recycle. This strategy does not mandate a lowering of our living standards or a life lived in unhealthy conditions, all it talks about is sustainable ways in which we can manage our consumption even as we live healthily. This method requires the reuse of materials that have the potential to get reused: like any kind of metal article and clothes. Anything, in short, that can be upcycled and used in different forms in accordance with the trend that happens to be in fashion at the time.
It seems that it is really important for some people to keep up with trends. These people use more resources than they should and end up generating way too much undesirable waste. Thrifting clothes should be promoted more and more as the fashion keeps on moving in circles and comes back where it started with time, throwing clothes every time they go out of style does not seem to be a sustainable way of living.
Even if someone does not support thrifting, they can surely avoid the production of waste by donating their clothes to the underprivileged. Next time, before donating any kind of amount, we should take a trip to our closet and take a look at our own belonging to reduce any kind of wastage, any article or cloth; any kind of material that you don’t wish to use in your future can be used for donation. It not only reduces waste ,but also provides the needy with clothes, spreading happiness.
Being able to reduce the production of waste and recycling or upcycling waste could be difficult to accomplish, but with daily effort, anything is possible; and unity of purpose can get us through all the hurdles. All we have to do is to carpe that diem (and not wait to get inspired by someone else). Be your own role model and start reducing, reusing and recycling from this day onwards.
About the Author: Soumi Lahiri is a law student who wishes to make this world a better place not only for humans but also for all the coexisting organisms on earth.