Join the Zero Waste movement from Finland

Join the Zero Waste movement from Finland

April 10 , 2019 | by:

Nollahukka. No, it is not some exotic kind of dance or another version of the hula-hoop. It is a word in Finnish, that means “zero waste“. Well, easier said than done. Or not? Zero waste actually takes caring for the environment many levels up. Instead of sorting waste and then take it for recycling, reducing waste produced in the first place seems to be a better alternative.

Why Finland? Because of a young guy who decided to devote his life to zero waste and prove that, it is doable and the results are tangible and both short-term and long-term. This is a whole new lifestyle that has become a trend during the last couple of years. Individuals, families and whole communities commit to this movement.

But how can you practice zero waste? What are the new habits you need to establish? Is it easy or hard to do so? And who is Otso? Read on!

How can you go “zero waste” in your daily life?

Look, this needs to be emphasized at this point. Zero waste is a choice and can be applied to almost anything: from small to big, from consumer to durable things. From the house you live in to the milk bottle, you buy every day, you have to make wise choices.

As they say, start small. Small things, when done by millions, can have a snowball effect. Here are some simple everyday habits you can start building:

  • plastic coffee cup: yes, in most cases your favourite coffee every morning is not served in a paper cup. It’s plastic and there are millions of those wasted every day. Replace with a reusable one.
  • plastic water bottles: the same as above. Millions are thrown each day, after a couple of sips down the throat. Drink tap water, ask for it when you are outside or carry your own refillable bottle.
  • plastic straws: you wouldn’t know but they are one of the most widely wasted everyday things.  Use a reusable one. It makes perfect sense.
  • food packaging: plastic bowls and boxes are so common and so waste. Whenever buying food, prefer to buy it unpacked in your own food containers.
  • food:  that should be self-explanatory but in our society we often neglect it. We need to eat all the food we have (or share it) and whatever residues must be composted. Box ticked!
These are just a few simple habits. What is needed first and foremost is a new zero-waste mindset, to guide you in the long term.

What is the new zero waste mindset?

Right on! As the word implies, you need to re-set your mind. A set of zero-waste guidelines can help you with that. As the core of zero-waste is to do whatever necessary to prevent waste:
  • think twice before you buy new things. Do you really need them?
  • wait until you buy things from your wish list. Time is the best advisor for sustainability.
  • think creatively and prefer things that can be used for multiple purposes
  • choose durability over things that are doomed to live short because of low price

Who is Otso Saillanaukee?

Zero-waste influencer, blogger, author. All about zero waste. He was also selected to be featured in a pan-European campaign about sustainability. His challenge was to produce that little waste for one whole year, that it could fit in a small jar. And he did it. He avoided packaging, made his own products, ate or composted any food prepared. He also consults the visitors of an amazing yet sustainable cabin on an island just offshore Helsinki. Fancy?