Zero Waste Management through Mindful Consumption for Sustainable Waste Solution

Abstract

Due to the population growth, economic expansion, and urbanization, waste becomes a critical problem of societies. Zero waste policies are a great and important way in which local businesses take an interest to preserve our environment. Going zero-waste, however, is a hard and intense process because there are many challenges and hindrances along the path. This article provides an overview of the guiding principles to solid waste management and to look at zero waste management in Japan, Singapore, and Thailand. It also suggests mindful consumption as tool for zero waste management towards sustainability. Documentary study and literature review were used for data collection. The result shows that zero waste management needs to be developed step-by-step and it needs involvement of all stakeholders. It can bring economic and environmental benefits to the countries, but it leads to more financial cost of implementation and operation. Mindful consumption, based on Buddhism principle of right mindfulness, is considered a helpful and practical way for everyone to help their communities reduce waste through moderate consumption. With mindfulness, individuals care not only for their own wellbeing, but for others, communities, and environment. They will participate in source separation, reuse, and recycling programs as they realize that conserving environment and reducing the use of natural resource over the life cycle of the service and products can lead their lives more sustainable. The right understanding in the cause and effect of waste can lead people to engage in waste reduction, reuse, and recycling and move towards sustainable waste solution.