Regardless of the kind of lifestyle we lead, or our niche interests within these lifestyles, technology is without a doubt an integral part of our generation. Like everything else, zero-waste lifestyles have been significantly impacted by technological advances. Keep reading to find out more about the different forms of technology that drive zero-waste lifestyles.
Photo Credit: https://www.gittemary.com/
1. Indoor Compost Machine
In a world where over-consumption is not only rampant but also subconsciously encouraged, our food waste production has unsurprisingly increased as well.
Reencle Prime is an indoor composter originating from Korea, and is the first of its kind. Reencle can repurpose up to 1KG of food waste daily, by turning it into compost via the process of fermentation and decomposition.
Reencle reduces up to 90% of your daily food waste while providing you with nutrient-rich compost in return.
2. Sustainable Packaging
Given how fast-moving the consumer goods industry has become, all the packaging and resources used to keep up with demands have quickly become massive contributors to harming the environment.
A Canadian startup, Evanescence Packaging Solutions, turned to renewable sources of biomass by-products for their packaging. Their food packaging is both biodegradable and compostable and can decompose in 90 days. These packaging materials have also increased in strength, and insulation and are cost-effective. Products by Evanescence include meat trays and food trays, as well as cups, bowls, and clamshells.
3. Reusable Swabs
Your first reaction to point number 3 is probably horror but bear with us. When it comes to single-use products, convenience and perceived abundance are probably one of the main reasons we indulge. However, single-use products result in an unimaginably large amount of carbon footprint. These products not only cause harm to our environment, but also to marine habitats and other natural habitats.
A Danish-based company, LastObject created a product called LastSwab, which consists of a set of reusable cotton rounds, q-tips and tissues. One reusable swab is the equivalent of using 1000 single-use cotton swabs. LastObject’s product is easy to clean and reuse with soap and water.
4. Smart Waste Bins
Bin-e is a smart waste bin that uses technology to enhance waste management. These smart bins utilise sensors, image-based trash recognition technology, and artificial intelligence. This enables them to automatically sort and categorize recycling litter into smaller bins. This innovative new technology is set to simplify the waste management process and improve collection efficiency.
These smart recycling bins simplify the sorting process by using artificial intelligence to sort and compress recyclables. Their sensors also monitor fill levels, preventing the bins from overflowing and helping keep cities around the world clean.
5. Eco ATMs
Digital waste takes up a large portion of what ends up in landfills. Old laptops, mobile phones and other gadgets can be hard to get rid of once they have served their purpose fully. EcoATMs are smart kiosks that scan electronic devices to determine their value and will offer them instant payment. This helps consumers easily sell their phones while reducing electronic waste. ecoATM kiosks allow consumers to easily profit from their old devices while ensuring proper disposal of electronic waste.
Photo Credit: NASA
We owe a lot to technology, and while a large portion of it is used to make our lives easier, it’s also important to use it to create a safer and healthier environment for ourselves.