zero waste Thailand

Embracing A Zero Waste Lifestyle In Thailand Away from the allure of scenic beaches, delicious cuisines, and rich culture, Thailand is facing a crisis that is all too common – a waste management crisis. This crisis, if left unaddressed, is a threat not only to human existence but also to marine life. A spot check and you will realize that air quality is on the decline, overflowing landfills an eye sore, and inadequate waste management structure a worrisome trend. Going green is an idea whose time has come and requires the collective effort and commitment of every Thai citizen. And while Thailand is struggling with the waste management crisis, these problems are not unique to Thailand. Scores of countries across the globe are grappling with the same problem. All hope is not lost as the push and urgency with which to embrace sustainable living in Thailand is picking pace. Environmental conservation is no longer an afterthought. Zero waste living is key to environmental conservation and green living. It is a holistic approach toward reducing consumption, reducing the amount of waste we produce, and reusing and recycling products. It is, for lack of a better word, all about conscious consumerism. This article endeavors to Provide an overview of the current state of waste management in Thailand and the serious challenges it poses. Encourage people to reduce consumption and embrace the use of eco-friendly products. Introduce the concept of zero waste living and why embracing a zero waste lifestyle in Thailand is of the essence. Read on to discover actionable steps you can take to make a positive impact not only on your environment but also on the local community. Understanding The Impact Of Waste In Thailand If you are yet to grapple with the extent of the plastic waste crisis in Thailand, perhaps the revelation that plastic waste takes hundreds of years to degrade should jolt you into action. Environmental conservation starts with you. It’s about making a conscious decision to lead a zero waste lifestyle and positively contributing to environmental conservation efforts. According to the United Nations (UN), approximately 8 million metric tons of plastic waste find their way into the ocean inadvertently posing a major threat to marine life and destabilizing the tourism and fishing industry. It’s a tragedy of monstrous proportions and Thailand, unfortunately, is a top contributor to this crisis. If you thought the environmental impact of waste stops there, you couldn’t be more wrong. Overflowing landfills are an eyesore and have significant negative impacts on the environment and community as a whole. Think of air pollution, water pollution, and the health problems arising from the same that affect the local communities. Air and waterborne diseases are an all too common occurrence not forgetting that air quality is on a constant decline. On the social front, informal waste pickers (generally low-income immigrants) have borne the brunt of injuries and illnesses while scavenging for recyclable materials to eke out a living. The waste crisis in Thailand is more than an environmental problem. It has serious ramifications on the economic and social front. Our job is clearly cut out. We cannot afford to play deaf, blind, and dumb. It is high time we took our place in mastering our own destinies by ensuring that our activities positively impact the environment. Getting Started With Zero Waste They say that old habits die hard. That people find it difficult to get out of their comfort zone. We get it. However, the crisis we are facing promises to wipe all of us out if we do nothing about it. Granted, adopting a zero waste lifestyle in Thailand might seem like an arduous task. This shouldn’t be the case. Start small and make gradual changes to how you consume and dispose of waste. If you are keen on embracing green living in Thailand, here are a few tips to get you started. Reduce Consumption Yes. You heard me right. If you take a look at your surroundings at home, you will realize that you have in your possession a lot of products that you no longer use. It is time to declutter. Identify items you no longer use or need and get rid of them. In addition, make it a policy to only buy organic products made from natural materials. The goal is to do your bit and consume less. Reuse Products Avoid single-use products by all means. Zero waste living entails finding new uses for products or items you regularly use. For example, instead of buying plastic bags every time you go shopping, consider reusable organic bags. The goal is sustainable living. Refillable bottles over single-use disposable plastic bottles. Recycling Recycling is key to waste management. However, remember that not all products are recyclable in Thailand. You, therefore, need to check with the local authorities on the products that can be recycled in your neighborhood. Improve your knowledge You can’t advocate for sustainable living in Thailand when you have little to no knowledge about waste management. Educate yourself on waste management, its impact on the environment, and your role in making the environment safe, and support local businesses such as Organic Village that espouse zero waste values and encourage the adoption of organic products. You are an important cog in the machine of sustainable living in Thailand! Zero Waste Thailand Products You will agree with us that reducing waste in Thailand requires concerted efforts in finding sustainable and eco-friendly products as alternatives to conventional products. Before buying or using a product, ask yourself a question: Is there an alternative and better eco-friendly product? The good news is that there are many eco-friendly products in Thailand sold by Organic Village that will help you towards going green and adopt a zero waste lifestyle. Some of these products are: Reusable Bags Settling for a plastic-free lifestyle in Thailand requires a paradigm shift in your mindset as well as the products you use. The only way is going green and using sustainable products. It’s an open secret that single-use plastic bags have majorly contributed to the waste management crisis in Thailand. Reusable bags are made from sustainable materials like bamboo or cotton. They are durable and biodegradable, and they positively impact the environment. Biodegradable Soap Believe it or not, conventional soaps contain harmful chemicals, synthetic fragrances, and microplastics that have a negative impact on the environment. To take up your place as a green living ambassador, you need to use biodegradable soaps such as “handcrafted soap packed with biodegradable packing”. These soaps are made from natural ingredients and are not only gentle on the skin but also have a positive environmental impact. Wondering where to get it? Well, Organic Village got you covered! Laundry Detergent Take a look at the laundry detergent in your house. What are its ingredients? You probably have read a number of chemical ingredients, right? Well, conventional soaps as you know them, are packaged in plastic which takes hundreds of years to degrade and also contain harmful chemicals to the environment. Go for eco-friendly laundry detergents such as hexawash laundry detergent which are not only natural but also biodegradable. You can find it easily on online shops such as Organic village. Reusable Containers To make your contribution toward positive environmental impact, endeavor to use reusable containers. Carry your own containers whenever you are going shopping or buying takeaway food, and drinks, to mention a few. Incorporating the use of zero waste products into your lifestyle is a sure way of reducing waste and ensuring that you do your part in making the environment safe for everyone. At Organic Village, our desire is to see everyone embracing sustainable living in Thailand by investing in organic products that serve to reduce the waste management crisis. We have all kinds of organic products you can think of. You simply need to browse our website and get started on the journey of sustainable living! You owe it to yourself and those who will come after you!