Reducing Waste

Quantities of waste are growing all over the world, hand in hand with the rise in consumerism. GDP growth coincides with a clear increase in quantities of waste of all kinds. The use of disposable products and unnecessary packaging is constantly growing, while advertising persuades us to replace products that are still useful. Many of the products that we throw away contain hazardous substances that are harmful to human health and ecosystems. Reducing waste begins with the individual. In the first place, each of us should make an effort to prevent the creation of waste by giving honest answers to the following questions: do I really need this? Do I necessarily have to buy this, or can I borrow, rent or share it, or perhaps buy it second- hand?