Banning generated waste might not be an ideal solution because it seems impossible. However, the waste could be recycled and used effectively to preserve the environment from its harmful effects. Keeping this in mind, a new movement is gaining traction where the cafes have been adopting the practice of going absolutely waste-free. And zero waste coffee shops are gaining popularity as they are adopting the zero waste program which is helping to minimise the waste. This will eventually help to redeem the environment and provides various benefits.

Program in Short

A large number of items coming from the cafes like plastic straws, single-use containers, clam-shells, etc. also play an instrumental role in polluting the environment as these are generally non-recyclable. Hence the ‘absolute waste-free program’ aims at opting for more sustainable alternatives when it comes to helping the guide operators in adopting the best possible practices to either reduce, recycle, or reuse the discarded products and modifying them into resources which could be beneficial for others to use them.

What are the Benefits of this Program?

1) Going absolutely waste-free means reducing the waste in terms of single-use plastic and resorting to more sustainable products which allow the environment to breathe healthily.

2) It can also help in controlling the excessive cash-flow that drains your resources. In fact, it can also help to appease your customers and expand your clientele base even though this might take time.

3) It can immensely help in combating the problem of increased pollutants in the surroundings.

4) You can also make the world a better place and of course, breathable!

5) You can pass on this legacy to make the next-generation better!

6) It can give you better alternatives by allowing you to make more nutritive and organic-based choices.

How Can I Practise It?

1) Make an Observation of What Goes into Your Trash Cans

Before plunging headlong into practising this technique, it’s better to first take a note of what fills your trash cans. This will help in estimating the kind of products that goes into your trash, the amount of the waste produced which, in turn, will allow you to ascertain the waste management flow. Based on this audit, you can embark on a course of action.

2) Organize a Committee or Champion For Waste Reduction

The main purpose of doing this is to spread awareness about waste and how you can reduce it. So having an active and effective committee to do the deed is an essential requirement. Again, organize weekly meetings to check-up on the progress of this committee.

3) Tackle the Basics

Implementing the full-fledged program can be a Herculean task, initially. So focus on the basics first. Start with one-two waste reducing initiatives. For instance, you can switch to the plant-based or paper options instead of a plastic straw.

Other Viable Options:

Switch to more compostable options.

Offer more in-house options, for instance, an in-house cup/container.

Use compostable trash bags.

Collaborate with a local garden company which can aid you in taking the used coffee grounds.

Look for more reusable alternatives for containers or pallets, if possible.

We, at For Earth’s Sake, have been striving hard to go wasteless and take every possible action to reduce the usage of single-use plastic by looking for more sustainable alternatives to fulfil the daily needs. Our mission is to minimize the dependence on plastic and all the things that are detrimental to our environment.