It's not too late!

Hello Readers,

Today I am going to write about another topic that I am really passionate about. Since a number of days, I had been thinking about penning down my thoughts on this topic. But every time I sat down to write, I felt like I couldn't do justice to the vastness and importance of it.
However, a few incidents in the past days gave me a final thrust to write.

As we all know, this year, rains caused havoc in a number of cities throughout the country. Mother nature showed her wrath in the form of floods.
Day before yesterday, she gave yet another word of warning when she caused whopping destruction in some parts of my very own city- Pune.

To the best of my knowledge, there have hardly been any instances of destruction caused by heavy rains in a city like Pune, given its geographical advantage.

But then what was different this year?

Mother Nature has had enough of it! That's what's different. This year, she just won't digest all the trash we dump. She won't be restrained by the shackles of cement. No, she won't accept our mistakes this year.

According to several articles I read, it's not that the downpour was more this year. Rather, we have blocked all modes of drainage either by constructing buildings or by blocking it with plastic waste.

So instead of blaming the rains, it is now high time that we take some efforts to amend the situation. If not, the consequences are going to be dire for the humankind.


Since the past few months, I am trying to practice what is called as 'Minimum Waste Lifestyle'. By reading articles and blogs about it, watching videos about it and following people (on social media) who have achieved living a 'Zero Waste Lifestyle', I have adapted certain practices in my day-to-day life:

1. Using a wooden toothbrush:
    Every year, lakhs of plastic toothbrushes end up being dumped either on wastelands (where they          will take thousands of years to degrade) or in the ocean (harming the marine bio-diversity).
     
    And it feels great to start your day by taking a little step in the right direction!

2. Bathing instead of showering:
    It's a fact: we waste much more water when we shower, than when we take a bath with a
    pre-filled bucket of water. 
   
    And it takes lesser time, so I don't have to run around the house early in the morning because I am      late!

3. Carrying your own (metal) straw:
     Plastic straws cause immense suffering to the aquatic life. Watch the video of plastic straw being        drawn out of a baby turtle's nose on YouTube if you are strong enough!
   
     And they come in such cool colors!

4. Buying in bulk:
     I am aware that at this point of time, plastic is not dispensable. Most of the products we buy come       in plastic packaging. But whenever possible, we can buy these products in bulk to reduce our               waste.
   
     And you don't run out of grocery for months!

5. Lesser use of tissue papers:
    If we put our minds to it, we could definitely do without tissue papers. I carry my own napkin to          wipe my hands and also encourage my colleagues to do so (still in vain).

I am however, still on my way to achieve a few of the following Eco-friendly practices I intend to incorporate in my life:

1. Don't order-in:
   When you order-in food at your home, the food ends up arriving in layers of plastic. Instead, eat at      the restaurants itself or carry your own containers to bring back parcels.

2. Use of menstrual cup/ bio-degradable sanitary napkins:
     Sanitary napkins or even tampons are major creators of waste. Every girl on the earth,                         menstruating for a week every month. Imagine the amount of waste created!

3. Minimalism:
    Buy only what you need! Anything you buy that you don't need is indeed a waste!


I hope to achieve this for my Mother Earth!

It saddens me to see that some of my own family, friends and acquaintances feel like there is no need for such steps to be taken. Some even ridicule me for trying out the Minimum Waste Lifestyle!

But I believe it's not too late! I believe small steps WILL help us make this world a better place! 

Do you?



If you support me in my mission or have any other tips for living a Minimum-Waste Lifestyle, do leave your comments!

Thank You!