Encouraging a shift to a zero-waste lifestyle is vital in ensuring that we reduce the quantity of resources we throw away, and instead, make the most of those already in circulation. In order to make this a reality, there are many players involved, however some small changes from households can help to make a difference. In light of this, we have developed two infographics showing an example of a typical UK household now, and what a ‘zero-waste’ household may look like…

The first infographic paints the ‘typical’ picture of the UK’s current consumption habits, and the common ‘take-make-waste’ approach to using and throwing away resources or recycling a significant minority of used materials. There is a large emphasis on the input of primary materials to make new items, and the throwing away of these once they are no longer required, this leads to these products (and the resources with which they are made) being disposed of. Where throwing things away is the normalised and prevalent behaviour (in England, not so in Wales) rather than separating items for recycling, or even less so, for reuse, this results in fewer resources being reused/recycled, and therefore there is a continued strong dependence on primary materials. In the current context, there are some areas where householders can lease (e.g. a car) or rent items, however again, this is not ‘mainstream’ behaviour and the options available to householder are relatively limited (or not well known), therefore this has limited impact on reducing the quantity of primary materials we are taking, and subsequently the products we are consuming and disposing of, for a typical household.

When shifting to a ‘zero-waste household’, there are fewer inputs through much less reliance on primary materials, and indeed much less consumption in total. Fewer outputs occur as less waste is put out for collection, treatment and disposal. Instead of sending high proportions of material for disposal, more items/materials are either separated for reuse, or processed for recycling and then recirculated. Increased use of leased/rented services for a wider range of goods (e.g. tools) would also contribute to achieving a zero-waste household, which helps to create a sharing economy and reduces demand for resources to create new items (less inputs).

It takes a village

However, to make a zero-waste household a reality, it requires more than change from just the householders themselves. For the private sector, there is a need to prevent waste through design, and ensuring that items which are produced can be reused, deposited through take back schemes, remanufactured and/or recycled. Councils can also support this shift through education, facilitating opportunities and minimising barriers for residents to participate in reuse and recycling, and ensuring a wide range of materials are accepted. As well as this, it is important to provide increased outlets for reuse (e.g. through dedicated reuse areas at HWRCs), signpost to existing reuse/repair services, and to engage with residents about the need for waste prevention. There is also the potential of the third sector to provide continued and enhanced provision for accessible reuse and repair services within local communities, provided the conditions are right. Central Government has its part to play in helping to generate these conditions, through policy, incentives and regulation.

In short, the zero-waste household, is actually a symptom of a coordinated zero waste society that runs top down and bottom up. There is a lot of interest from grass roots organisations to make this transition, and positive words from the top in central Government. If we all keep pushing, we may realise the transition from the first to the second infographic, to the benefit of society and the environment as a whole.

FRM can provide zero waste and other municipal waste and resource management strategies to public and private sector organisations. See www.frithrm.com, call +44 (01746 552423), or email rosie@frithrm.com.