With the European Week for Waste Reduction having just ended at virtually the same time as COP 29, we continue to move dangerously close to a point of no return in terms of the use of limited natural resources. Added to this are international geopolitical challenges that are taking us further and further away from the environmental issue. One of the key questions on which neither of the two events made any real progress was how to finally change our consumption habits.
During this European Week for Waste Reduction, we have tried to raise your awareness through facts and quizzes. But beyond raising awareness, it’s possible to take a small step towards the transition every day. Because this transition is first and foremost yours, we asked you what you do to reduce waste on a daily basis.
For Elisabeth and Marcus1, one of the solutions they try to apply on a daily basis is to barter timeless objects such as clothes, board games or books. Objects that, when they’re not damaged, can be used by others almost infinitely. Rico avoids wrapping fruit and vegetables when he has to buy them in the supermarket. Louise is learning how to make her own cosmetics and cleaning products. Valentin uses glass jars and a water bottle on a daily basis. Daphnée refuses to take single-use bags in the shops and buys her clothes almost exclusively at second-hand shops or on second-hand apps.
As you can see, we’re all doing something, big or small, to reduce our waste. This week, we haven’t tried to make you feel guilty. On the contrary, if you have retained even a single piece of information, we have already done our part: supporting you in your transition.
And because we also wanted to share with you our actions to reduce waste on a daily basis, here are the top 10 tips!
1. Selective sorting – It sometimes requires a bit of thought and discussion, but you soon get the hang of it, and it’s still the most accessible way of contributing to the recycling of our waste.
2. Barter – a system that has existed since the dawn of time, remains an effective alternative. In practical terms, this means exchanging goods for other goods: an object for an object, a service for an object, or dropping an object into one of our Giveboxes.
3. Bulk – To avoid single-use products and packaging, bulk is an excellent option, available in particular at MESA.
4. Second-hand – Very much in vogue these days, second-hand offers a new lease of life to our objects and clothes. Going to a flea market or garage sale is another way of buying second-hand. In fact, we’ve created a map listing second-hand shops in Luxembourg.
5. Eco-refills and homemade products – Making your own cleaning products or cosmetics is the best way to know what you’re applying to your skin or using in your home. If you’re interested, Ahoua offers workshops where you can learn how to make your own products.
For more information, visit missbak.com.
6. Zero Waste Dinners – These solidarity dinners allow people to share unsold or uneaten food in the shops, while reducing food waste. On the last Sunday of each month, MESA hosts events organised by Foodsharing Luxembourg.
7. Repair instead of throwing away – This is possible thanks to the Repair Cafés organised throughout Luxembourg, or simply at home, by borrowing tools via the Gutt Geschier initiative.
8. Buy better to buy less – In an ideal world, we would have to review our consumption system to reduce our waste production and our impact. Responsible consumption means buying less but better. By reducing quantity and increasing quality, we can have a long-term impact on the overproduction and overconsumption of waste.
9. Composting – Although it requires a certain amount of organisation, composting is an excellent way of reducing organic waste. If you’re interested, a workshop to raise awareness of living soils will be held at MESA on 10 December.
Read more: Living soil workshop at MESA
10. Digital sorting – What’s digital got to do with it? What could be better than doing something while waiting for the bus, in the doctor’s waiting room or waiting for the washing machine to finish because it’s been due for 10 minutes? In short, you can use this time to delete unnecessary e-mails, unsubscribe from newsletters that no longer interest you (not the Transition Minett one, which is still relevant ;)), and clean out your photo gallery. This reduces server congestion and environmental impact.
Acting together
We’ve already launched a number of initiatives to reduce our waste and consume responsibly. On 1 December, the ‘alternative’ Christmas market, organised by residents for residents, will take place at Pavillon 5 (access from side 1, rue Arthur Useldinger, Esch-sur-Alzette). The market highlights second-hand consumption and offers an alternative to our model of over-consumption, which is particularly marked during the festive season.
Read more: Discover the Christmas Market in a different way… By and for local residents
The list could go on, but taking action is better than just reading or talking. So it’s up to you now! We’re already very proud of you, because you’re leading the transition.
1 The names have been changed