The Zero Waste movement aims to promote reducing the amount of material we throw away as much as possible by using the products of one system for use in another. 'Zero' does not mean extreme restraint in consumption, but to reflect on what we consume.
A consensus on the meaning and value of 'zero waste' seems to have been established to some extent in Korea. In a survey conducted by researchers at the University of Seoul from July to September last year, the majority of respondents, 74%, said they were interested in environmental issues. Only 4% said they were not interested. However, half of the respondents did not know the rules for practicing zero waste.
'Rejection' is the beginning of waste reduction. The zero-waste movement started in 2001 when the California Comprehensive Waste Management Committee established a zero-waste policy goal. Ten years later, the concept entered the daily life of citizens when the New York Times reported Bea Johnson's blog 'Zero Waste Home. In this blog, Johnson documented her life reducing waste with her two children. Since then, the zero-waste movement has spread in the United States and Europe. In Korea, interest in the Zero Waste movement increased as the 'garbage crisis' became a social problem in 2018.
Johnson has summarized the principles required for zero waste practices into the 5Rs: Refuse (rejecting), Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot. 'Rejecting' is the starting point of zero waste. They do not accept disposable cups or straws and refuse to use plastic spoons or wooden chopsticks. Furthermore, it should be possible to refuse non-essential souvenirs, shopping bags, tumblers, umbrellas, and towels... This attitude is also directly related to 'reduce', 'reuse', and 'recycle'.
Reuse and recycling go beyond personal practice and are linked to the concept of 'sharing'. Individual practice must lead to community and social practice. In a country where zero waste has not yet become common, activists trying to reduce waste strive to spread the spirit and practice of the waste reduction movement.
The last principle of the 5Rs, 'rotting', is the most unfamiliar and difficult to practice. In Korea, rotting is the most difficult task because most people live in apartment buildings and other multi-unit dwellings. On the other hand, residents of single-family homes, in Australia, New Zealand, and the United States, in areas that are not densely populated, "rotting" as the final task of zero-waste practice is possible. This means that you have to choose 'perishable' items in your purchases.
Korea has advanced to be one of the leading countries in recycling. Seoul has opened 'Zero markets' where 'You fill your own containers', no packaging, and pay by weight of the product. In the making for a greener and cleaner environment, Korea had done much and continues to find ways to increase its efforts in sustainability—meeting our needs and permitting future generations to meet their needs.
