“Zero waste living” isn’t just for hippies anymore! It’s a solution to fight plastic pollution!
By Jelena Lefavrais, GreenFootprint Founder
Issues
Globally, almost half of the plastic production is used in the Food and Beverages industry.
Over 50% of of Global Food Waste is created by Households and 19% by the processing sector in the food chain.
Isn’t this an alert that we start to rethink about the way we produce and consume?!
Secondly, 79% of Global Plastic has been dumped in the environment or landfill. They are the second largest source of industrial greenhouse gas emission.
Taking hundreds to thousands of years to degrade, Micro-Plastics are not only bad for human health, but also have been killing millions of marine animals.
Is our life style really this much disposable and short living?!
Locally, the UAE has one of the World’s highest waste per capita. Approximately 70% of waste ends up in the landfill. Plastics are the first cause of camels’ death. Despite a great lineup of cheap labor is here to help us clean, but this does not solve an issue.
Potential Solutions
The UAE government took right measures in setting up The National Agenda’s goal is to reduce the landfill waste by 75% by 2021 and to reduce the waste per capita ratio.
But the secret is in team work. Government, industries and consumers, have to work together in fighting the excessive waste issue. Being the UAE based, we have all it needs to show an example to the world and act together.
Potential Solutions are minimizing food packaging and helping consumers to adopt the right practices to minimize plastic waste. This is where GreenFootprint.ae comes into play. Being a crowd-sourcing platform and marketplace for sustainable practices, we wish to bring stakeholders together in improving impacts on the environment, the local economy and society.
Jelena Lefavrais, GreenFootprint.ae Founder
In order to reduce single use plastic in the UAE, we have to close the loop, by addressing production, consumption and waste issues, and creating transparency.
Our Zero Waste Shopping Campaign
We have to cut plastic pollution – one of the main ways to do it is to stop the use of unnecessary plastic packaging for goods we buy every day.
Supported by the UAE government, GreenFootprint.ae is launching Zero Waste Shopping Campaign.
- We are inviting Supermarkets and corporates to phase out unnecessary plastic packaging.
- We are inviting Consumers to join our initiative, vote for plastic-free supermarkets and spread awareness.
Together for healthier oceans and greener community!
I have my reusable bag always ready!
I buy local and consume fresh!
I say no to single use plastic bag and packaging!
Doing something is better than doing nothing
On the individual level, everyone can do a little but make a huge impact. We can start from bringing our reusable shopping bag, mugs, reusable water bottles, then install water filters at home and offices, opt for ethical gifting, sustainable fashion, etc.
GreenFootprint.ae mission is to help consumers FIND sustainable and green practices, OPTIMIZE costs and resources, IMPROVE their choices, REDUCE and responsibly dispose of waste, and WORK on creating greener community together.
Our Goals are to SUPPORT reduction of single use plastic, BUILD a marketplace for alternative solutions, ENGAGE with consumers, RAISE awareness, and STIMULATE innovation and improvements.
The good news is that according to the latest research, Nielsen found that conscious consumerism is growing and consumers feel a strong need for change and contribution to positive impacts (73% of global consumers would change their consumption habits to reduce their environmental impact. 81% feel strongly that companies have a role to play in improving the environment.)
GreenFootprint teams up with local businesses in order to address this issue and raise awareness!
Upcycle Lets transform offers a variety of hand-made and ethically produced produce bags, tea bags, shopping bags nutmilk bags and much more! The aim of the company is to reduce everyday reliance on single use plastics.
Pingback: "Earth" exhibition at the DIFC Art Nights - greenfootprint.ae
Pingback: Unconventional way to create awareness - greenfootprint.ae