Embracing zero waste

As we recently celebrated International Day of Zero Waste, it is crucial to reflect on the escalating waste crisis, relentless plastic pollution and the pitfalls of depending on fossil fuels and extracted resources. The waste, pollution and economic turmoil countries are facing all over the world are not isolated incidents, but interconnected symptoms of a bigger disease. They are the systemic byproducts of neoliberalism; supply chains tied to finite resources and a linear economic model grounded in the extract-produce-dispose mindset of corporations.

Industrial addiction to fossil fuels, plastics and disposability, enabled by state subsidies and deregulation, has drawn the world into conflicts and devastating conditions, of which environmental degradation is just one part.

The International Day of Zero Waste, observed on March 30 alongside Women’s Month, is a powerful reminder that the fight for sustainability is deeply connected to other social and justice issues. Our reliance on disposable, single-use products and packaging, combined with the lack of accountability from corporations, leaves the public bound to harmful product and packaging choices that further exacerbate environmental degradation, social inequities and health impacts.

The production of plastic, for one, is inseparable from the fossil fuel industry, as 99 percent of plastics come from petrochemical feedstocks. This deep-rooted dependency links everyday single-use plastics to harms across the supply chain, as well as global conflicts which have thrown our country and many parts of the world into economic distress.

At the local level, it is clear that the impacts of corporate reliance on plastic and fossil fuels go beyond pollution, waste or climate change. Economic shocks caused by disrupted supply chains burden communities and affect our ability to access basic needs. Plastic production and use affect livelihoods and incomes of communities. They disrupt our farming and fishing sectors, and in turn threaten food systems and security. They cause direct and indirect harm to our health and community wellbeing. With over 22 million tons of waste generated in the Philippines annually, and 12-24 percent of that coming from plastic waste, the impacts on our communities are significant.

When we think of zero waste, there must be systems transformation. It is time for our government and the corporations responsible to be held accountable for systems contributing to waste and plastic pollution. The measures can no longer be limited to end-of-pipe approaches such as cleanups, recycling and waste management – none of which dismantle or transform a system tied to mass production and resource exploitation.

Solutions must also advance gender equity and the inclusion of marginalized groups. Women disproportionately bear the impacts of waste and plastic pollution, alongside other sectors already burdened by inequities reinforced by broken systems.

A just transition from a flawed linear economy to a truly sustainable circular economy is crucial. At a time when systemic dependence on fossil fuels and linear models have significantly impacted economies, the environment and people’s daily life, we urgently need the right solutions.

We need a transformation of systems that have perpetuated our harmful dependence on fossil fuels and other finite resources. Addressing waste and plastic pollution necessitates a fundamental commitment to designing waste out of our systems and instituting regenerative production models.

Companies must stop depending on single-use products and packaging, especially plastic. Governments must mandate a strategic shift towards reuse systems. Compared to single-use models, reuse solutions are proven to be more economically efficient and beneficial to stakeholders across communities and sectors, not just to the few corporations that persist in clinging to disposable systems that bring billions in profits but transfer the costs of pollution to people. This shift is key to catalyzing sustainable production and consumption, in addition to strengthening countries’ ability to withstand crises and decreasing negative impacts on communities.

Strong government regulations grounded on the principles of corporate accountability are crucial. Corporations must be required to drastically reduce plastic production, align with zero waste models and adopt reuse systems in the country. It is essential that zero waste approaches and reuse systems are at the forefront of our sustainability efforts because of the positive outcomes they will produce for women and our communities. By transitioning to reuse, nations can simultaneously mitigate the environmental catastrophe of plastic pollution and decouple their economies from unstable and destructive supply chains.

We must come together to advocate for a future that is not only zero waste but also equitable and just for everyone. We can create lasting systemic shifts that benefit women, make communities more resilient and erode dependence on fossil fuels. Embracing this vision requires long-term measures and collective effort, but the rewards of a cleaner environment, healthier communities and a just, sustainable future are well worth it.

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Marian Ledesma is a Zero Waste Campaigner at Greenpeace Philippines.