The Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA) is encouraging the United Nations to adopt the following internationally peer-reviewed definition of Zero Waste and to work with ZWIA and other Zero Waste organizations around the globe, to create a just world of vibrant, resilient, Zero Waste communities, in harmony with nature:
"Zero Waste: The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health."
You can sign this petition to the UN if you agree to it.
So, how can I adopt the principles of zero waste in my life?
I believe that handmade product can help save the environment. You are less likely to discard something that you have made or received as a gift. This is a crochet top that I made for myself more than 20 years ago. My daughter could wear it now.
Now that I have revived my interest to crochet, what kind of product will I be able to create that will help the environment?
I will start with a reusable bag. I will design a bag that will allow the user to:
- change its size
- change its colour
- change its handle
- reduce the "discard mentality" as you cannot be bored with a bag that you can play with in shape, colour and size.
- enable you to extend its life as damaged portion of the bag can be replaced.
- use less material to produce by using net (see through) crochet patterns so that the resusables bags we keep getting free from retailers can be used as inserts.
- allow the creator to make use of leftover material to work with and reuse what they have.
- promote a reuse culture by encouraging crafters to consider using discards in their work creatively.
- extend the life of low quality reusable bags.
- allow users to personalise their bags as they can decide how they can decorate them.
- inspire others to make stuff that they need if they are able to.
Is that possible? Yes it is. I hope that my project will make the younger generation realise that handmade items can be cool to create and own. Let's start a reuse mindset revolution.
Since I run a bikeshop I will start with this discard which is one of the packaging items for bicycles.
If I cut the protuding parts off, I can use it as a base for my crochet container.
It fits in nicely in this container I crochet.
It keeps its base flat.
If I want to, I can use another circular piece to crochet a cover for it.
When I use it as a container in my reusable bag, it will protect the glassware for storing food that I bring to my shop to eat for lunch.
But it is not just a container once I added the second layer I crochet. I can add this layer to the container with a piece of string so that it can be removed.
This is how my creation looks like once the plastic circular base is removed.
If this is how I would like to use it, I can use cords removed from paper bags and use them as handles. The net edge on the second layer allows me to push the cords through and secure them to it. Once done, it has become a container cum bag.
Based on how I would like to use it, which depends on how creative or fashionable (daring) I am, I can:
- add another layer to increase the height of the bag.
- remove the orignal layer to add a layer in a different colour or crochet pattern.
- add additional layers in many different colour.
- add another layer in different crochet patterns.
- crochet a layer of see through or net pattern so that I can use a reusable bag as insert.
- change the handles on the bag.
You can adopt the above idea by making two square containers. If you join them together and add the layers, it can become a rectangular bag. I like the idea of using granny squares in this project because I can use leftover material in different colours to crochet them. For example, I managed to crochet the granny squares on this crossbody crochet bag with cut strips of plastic bags in different colours. You should not have any problem using raffia strings too.
Note: I shared the instruction on how to create the versatile bag at Creative Recyclers
