With World Packaging Week just gone, we’re now in the midst of Zero Waste Week here in the UK.

As Steel for Packaging Europe has noted, buying steel food cans is perhaps one of the best ways for consumers to participate this week – use the food inside, rinse the can and recycle it! The same goes for drinks – if it’s the week to ditch plastic in favour of cans, it’s this one.

Or maybe it’s not even about buying any items – checking cupboards/pantry for canned items that still haven’t been used yet is just as important. Can some spare beans be incorporated into a meal this week, or perhaps mackerel on toast is a better lunch, instead of someone heading out for a meal deal, or buying plastic-packed sandwich fillings?

Speaking about using what you already own, clothing is a big one too. I’ve recently started following a charity shop owner on TikTok who shows the brutally honest side of her business, which is the fact that we live in a world with an excess of things. The amount of clothing and cheap kids toys piled up in her storage space is staggering, and people consistently ignore her signs of ‘no donations please’ and dump bags and bags of items outside her doors overnight. It’s brilliant that charity shops exist, and I’m an avid shopper there, but sometimes we don’t even need that.

Over the past few years I’ve begun using my local seamstress more. I’ve had items in my wardrobe for years, and even after a decade, if a rip or a hole appears, it’s far nicer for me not to bin anything and instead get some repairs done. Fast fashion is an abhorrent system, but I’m not denying it’s easy to get trapped in the mindset of needing something new, especially for a special event. To that though, we must say, ‘I will be the serial same-outfit wearer.’ If something works, it works. And far better that you’ll love it for longer and call it a timeless classic.

Of course, this extends to manufacturers too. Ask yourself, ‘do I really need this newest piece of equipment, or would it be better for both my cost savings, the environment and my sustainability model in the long run to have my existing machine/parts refurbished or retrofitted, or buy used but in excellent condition?’ We absolutely can’t knock all the brilliant innovative machines of our modern age that have propelled operations forward, but from an environmental standpoint, new doesn’t always mean best. Sometimes, the ‘if it ain’t broke’ mindset can be the correct one.

And Zero Waste Week doesn’t have to be about making these bigger decisions or changes to your equipment or company. What about getting your employees involved with a Zero Waste Week challenge, ie offer everyone an aluminium bottle, flask or reusable coffee cup and adopt even more of a ‘reduce, re-use, recycle’ mindset than normal.

Sustainable change always does arise from one small action, so let’s all make sure we’re all doing our bit, in whatever capacity possible. 

Alex Rivers (she/her), CanTech International editor
Keep in touch via email: [email protected], LinkedIn: CanTech International magazine or X: @CanTechIntl