ENVIRONMENT LITERACY PROGRAM
On 2nd and 3rd June,2022 at 11:00 A.M, a Webinar on the topic “ENVIRONMENTAL LEGAL LITERACY- ZERO WASTE LIFESTYLE” was organized by the Delhi State Legal Services Authority (DSLSA). The event was introduced by Sh. SushantChangotra, Additional Secretary, DSLSA. The resource person was Sh. Shivam Gupta from ‘SAAHAS NGO’.
In the beginning of the webinar Sh. Shivam Gupta introduced the theme of the session for the year 2022 i.e. ‘ONLY ONE EARTH’. He explained that the Zero-Waste Movement is an eco-friendly lifestyle that aims to reduce the amount of waste an individual creates on a daily basis. The webinar started with the concept of zero waste lifestyle.
The primary purpose of this lifestyle is a commitment to sending as little waste to landfills as possible. While it’s impossible to create zero waste, there are many ways to reduce consumption that can benefit the planet. This lifestyle reduces the harmful impact on our ecosystem, encouraging sustainable living, conserving finite resources, biodiversity, and a healthy, productive balance of organisms.
Furthermore, he gave some tips to help everyone transition into a zero waste lifestyle. Single-use plastics or paper goods like utensils, straws, paper towels, and plastic bottles contribute to the garbage and pollution. So, it is better to use reusable things when we go to the market like a stainless-steel thermos or sports bottle.
He also discussed that understanding our waste habits will give us an idea of what practices we need to refine to reduce our waste production. For example, if most of our waste is food waste, we will need to take steps to alter our shopping habits so that one only buys what one can reasonably consume.
He further discussed that there are many ways to recycle, from DIY repurposing old objects to sending used materials to facilities. Segregating waste materials into Wet, Dry and Domestic Hazardous waste. Making compost out of leftover food, eggshells, fruit peels etc. is also a great, natural way to nourish the soil.
He also suggested the use of Bio-enzyme cleaners to clean the kitchen and bathroom sink, pest control, water purifier etc. We can repurpose common household items such as an old bed sheet can be turned into a reusable tote for grocery shopping etc. Buying secondhand clothing at a thrift store is a great way to reuse pre-existing materials, rather than purchasing new, trendy, fast-fashion garments that are more likely to wind up in a landfill. He also suggested that there should be responsible disposal of electronic items to reduce the risk of poisoning the ground in landfills.
As educational institutions are the ambassadors of knowledge, they should take the initiative to spread the message of ‘Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature 'among the students and society and work for the benefit of the nation. Zero waste lifestyle may be a challenge but considering today’s times, it is the only way we can leave a resourceful planet for our future generations.
RACHNA KAUR
SURBHI SAREEN
NEERAJ SHARMA