<aside> 💡 Stay tuned; challenges will be updated on Friday, January 20th, 2023
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January 23 - January 29, 2023
The first principle of the Circular Economy is to eliminate waste and pollution. There is no waste in nature. When a leaf falls from a tree, it feeds the forest. For billions of years, natural systems have regenerated themselves. Waste is a human invention. This week we challenge you to discover ways to eliminate waste in your life.
Single-use packaging is all around us. When you go to the bakery, your bread comes in a bag. When you ask for take-out, your leftovers come in a box. When you shop for groceries, vegetables and fruit are often wrapped in plastic. Some packaging is recyclable, but the best is to avoid packaging altogether. Starting January 2023, [German law](https://www.bundesregierung.de/breg-de/themen/klimaschutz/mehrweg-fuers-essen-to-go-1840830#:~:text=Was gilt für Lieferdienste und,zum Mitnehmen und Bestellen anzubieten.) requires stores to provide reusable containers for food and drinks and allow customers to bring their own containers. In this challenge, try for one week to refuse single-use packaging. Here are some ideas:
[ ] 🌏 Bring your own bag (paper or cloth works well) to the bakery when you buy bread.
[ ] 🌏 Buy only vegetables and fruits without packaging (bring your own bags). Often fruit/veggie stores sell produce without packaging.
[ ] 🌏 Visit a zero-waste store such as 🥨 Ohne ****or Gerne Ohne, which sells items (dry goods, cleaning supplies, etc.) without packaging. Bring your own containers! If you are in 🇦🇹Vienna visit:
Lieber Ohne in 1060 Wien, Der Greißler- unverpackt.ehrlich in 1040 und 1080 Wien, Holis market in 1070 Wien, Die Warenhandlung in 1030 Wien, Lunzers Massgreißlerei ****in 1020 Wien
“Unverpackte” Shops in Austria: https://www.zerowasteaustria.at/zero-waste-shops.html
[ ] 🌏 Bring Tupperware to a restaurant and take home your leftovers using your Tupperware. Get take-out in a reusable container (like RECUP, RELEVO).
[ ] 🌏 Always carry a reusable bag with you (like Rebeutel) - you never know when you will need a bag! 🇩🇪🥨 👪 a short video about reducing plastic waste.
[ ] 🌏 Choose beverages that are sold in reusable bottles. Choose glass over plastic and bottles that can be returned to the store (i.e., Deposit return systems(Pfand)) rather than recycled or thrown out.
[ ] 🌏 Use refillers and refill stations for cosmetics and cleaning products (soap, shampoo, and detergent). Refillers require less plastic than the original bottle or dispenser. Once purchased a bottle, this can be refilled again and again. In addition, refillers in the household sector are often more concentrated, so there is an additional saving. 🇦🇹Füllbar offers solid detergents, soaps, and a refill station; it´s located in Vienna in Lerchenfelderstraße 55. DM Drogerie and INTERSPAR also offer refill stations here you can find a list of detergent refill stations in Austria
[ ] 🥨 If you are planning a cinema night, we recommend the ‘circular cinema’ experience at Neues Maxim Kino, the first #zerowaste ‘circular’ Kino in Munich. Curious? Pay them a visit!
[ ] ****👪 Educational Video for Kids (in English): Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, to enjoy a better life, Waste less, Kids Go Green: Reducing Food Waste
How did you do?
How many times did you refuse single-use packaging this week? ______