I started to think more about it and the measures that I can take to reduce trash. Mugdha Joshi, a lactation consultant based in Bandra has set up two compost bins and has also removed dustbins from her house.At the end of the day, zero waste lifestyle is a journey and everyone is following a path best suited for him or her. “Its a big step in zero waste. Steel water bottle and strawFor Mahim based Talent Advisor, Mehndi Shivdasani, the idea of this lifestyle came to her when she was studying about maintaining sustainability while running a business. Since the party was organised on a terrace, we put up a small tent and a sand pit to entertain the kids,” she recalls. So now I use eggs or reetha to wash my hair,” adds Marie. Its not like he understands the reasons behind what we are doing but hes being brought up in this environment,” Mugdha adds. Talking baby steps, Mehndi stopped buying packaged juices and also started using a bamboo toothbrush.. “The meetup helped many of us discover interesting things, such as the possibility of recycling tetrapacks,” she adds. But years of using chemicals and commercially made products do make the switch to natural products challenging. She also replaced the number of bottles of shampoos and conditioners with homemade versions. But a few good Samaritans of the city are making an effort to live a zero-waste lifestyle to help reduce the waste being produced at an individual level.
To spread the message, she organised an eco friendly party for her sons second birthday.” She makes everything from cookies, bread to almond milk and cakes at home for her 7-year-old son. Her two-year-old son is also being instilled the values of a zero waste lifestyle as he takes a steel water bottle with a steel straw to his playschool. “When I was in Sydney doing my masters in Social Entrepreneurship, it got me thinking about a lot of my habits that were not environment friendly.From using home remedies for washing hair to creating their own compost, these people are making conscious efforts to reduce waste production. While Mehndi is still looking for package free oils, Mugdha is trying to convince her family and ends up with some or the other plastic waste. “Ive seen people switching to only water for washing their hair, but it didnt work for me. Looking to find more people from the city to discuss the problems and achievement of this lifestyle, she organised a few meetups in Bandra. I also teach him not to use plastic much. I found people who were into composting and were very conscious about what they use, throw out and how they use a product,” says Mehndi about the initial phase of her journey.As the last week’s high tide washed ashore nine metric tonnes of trash along the Marine Drive, almost nine times the garbage collected from the iconic promenade every day, it brought back the focus on the amount of junk the city generates.
If you dont make it at home, sourcing it from outside without packaging is a little difficult.Reduce, recycle and reuse is the myntra for patrons living a zero waste lifestyle. “We segregate the dry waste and a BMC truck comes twice a week to collect it for recycling,” says Mugdha as she drags out three big bags of dry wastes including plastic and footwears which she plans to give up for recycling. “We didnt use any plastic decoration and made buntings from fabric and rented plants to decorate the place. Natural and package-less alternatives are difficult to find, especially in case of store-brought items. “I involve him while composting and also show him what goes in it. Zero waste lifestyle is probably not an easy way to live your life, but in china bag manufacturers the day and age where most of our problem is based on overusing resources, its probably the most ideal lifestyle. I use home remedies and have also switched to natural alternatives for shampoo,” says Marie who has not only made a natural shampoo out of reetha but also made her own toothpaste out of arrowroot powder and deodorant from apple cider vinegar. According to the 26-year-old, even small changes like using a fountain pen is much better than using plastic single-use pens or refills. “I stopped using cosmetics and now I clean my face with oil. Marie Jaiswal, a freelancer based in Chembur has adopted the reduced-waste lifestyle for the last one year.All the waste we produce, whether it is an empty pack of chips or sanitary napkins, either ends up in the landfill or chokes life out of the ocean.
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