Conscious Consumer and Self-Accountability: What We CAN Do!

 

Conscious Consumer and Self-Accountability: What We CAN Do!

We often talk about consumer rights, but we seldom focus on our responsibilities. Rights come with responsibility, and we must remember the Doctrine of caveat emptor, which states that let the buyer beware.

But what to be aware of? What are our responsibilities as consumers? What can an individual consumer do?

A lot!

Small positive steps can have a ripple effect. Taking simple steps daily can help you save the planet as you save your money and health. Let's look at some super simple tips one can follow (if you already do, kudos!) and make them a part of their lifestyle.

1. Waste Segregation 

Make two separate bins in your home—one for dry waste and one for wet waste. Send dry waste (paper, cardboard, plastic, aluminium, glass, etc.) for recycling. Wet waste can be composted. If composting is not possible, at least segregate and send everything dry for recycling.

Many recyclers offer doorstep collections; OneStepGreener is available in Delhi. You can connect with them on Instagram. Also, remember to wash and dry all materials, such as food boxes and milk packets, before you send them for recycling.

2. Managing Textile Waste

While we all love to be in fashion and dress up as per trends, it's essential to understand that textiles have a huge negative impact on our environment. The production of textiles is carbon-intensive, requires lot of energy, water, and chemicals. Making 1 kg of fabric releases approximately 20-23 kg of greenhouse gas! Imagine how we contribute by use and throw culture! The chemicals in dyes, the microfibres released in water impacts the marine life. So what can we do about it? A lot again!

●      When you want to buy a new dress, pause and think if it's really needed.

●      Before buying, try renting, thrifting or buying preloved.

●      If you still can't find an option, buy local and sustainable materials like cotton, linen, and hemp rather than polyester. They are sustainable, last long, and cause less damage to the environment.

●      When you no longer need a garment, depending on its condition, donate -upcycle or send for recycling.

Never throw fabrics in the dustbin! Several organisations collect fabric waste; please dispose of it responsibly.

3. Ditch that Single-Use Plastic

It's high time we follow and lead life by example than just debating about the harmful effects of plastic! Single use bags and bottles are all over despite the ban on many states. How difficult is it to carry your own bottle, bag and cutlery? Every single day, you can save buying disposable bottles, bags, which accumulate to hundreds saved every year, by an individual. Imagine the impact of we all ditch the single use plastic. What is needed is a little commitment to self. Pro tip- always keep a cloth bag in your bag for unplanned shopping, a cutlery kit with spoon, folk and steel straw to enjoy food on the go without any waste and carry a bottle always to keep yourself hydrated.

4. Sustainable Celebrations

We all want to celebrate and take cool selfies, but we never see the waste generated in one event! The amount of balloons and plastic party decor is insane. And all goes to the landfill post-celebration. While it's essential to celebrate, we must not damage the home we all share, our planet.

There are wonderful businesses offering upcycled decor that can be reused for decades. Based on my experience, my personal recommendations are USEMEWORKS, GIFT GREEN, and UPCYLCLIE. You can find them on Instagram, and they create wonderful products by upcycling fabric waste! The products are hand-stitched and long-lasting. I have owned them for over three years; they only need care and love.

Also, if you are still gifting those floral bouquets, please replace them with a plant which will grow and create no waste.

I hope the above points added some new perspectives. The tips may sound simple, but how many of us follow? And why is it so difficult?

Don't do what the world is doing; do what the world needs.

Stay smart, stay sustainable!

STAY SMART! STAY SATARK!

Blog by Dr Sakshi Verma

Assistant Professor

Department of Commerce
PGDAV College, University of Delhi