Relationship with Stuff
One recent prediction estimates that by 2050, over 10 billion people would be alive at any one time. To be able to live comfortably, the researchers of this study argues that we would have to cut to about 75% what resources and energy that is expected to be expended by that time period based on our current consumption rates. To do so, we could start with figuring out a way to curtail this take-make-dispose culture. We can’t solely rely on technology to improve this social dilemma because the impact technology makes is nonetheless contingent on its users.
In Singapore alone, we generated 7.23 million tonnes of waste with 1.87 million tonnes coming from the sector domestic in 2019. With only 17% recycled, 1.55 million tonnes of waste are sent to our only landfill in Semakau. This is largely due to the value we place on our material possessions. We buy far too much and far too often now that relatively new things go to waste, so to speak, at an earlier timestamp than what it used to be. Rather than repairing or reusing, we opt for replacing it instead. Moreover, products that can be recycled are usually not.
Single-use plastics may perhaps represent the most relevant and relatable example of our throwaway culture. Our overconsumption of single-use plastics root from our relationship with it. Single-use plastic is cheap, flimsy and overall, not that impressive-looking. We don’t value it as much when we’re using it so we’re unlikely to value it when it eventually reaches its end of product life cycle. It’s why we’re less likely to reuse or even recycle it because we just don’t see it being worth the trouble. For instance, if I told you that the plastic container for that convenience store sandwich (see image on right) you just ate from is recyclable – in this case, it is – would you go prefer to wash, dry and find a recycling bin or just throw it away?
From unsustainable extraction of raw materials to single-use plastics to food wastage, the practice of deliberate and mindful waste prevention upheld by the Zero Waste Movement offers an alternative to mindless overconsumption that generates excessive waste.
| Recycling isn’t Enough |