When we speak of making a major lifestyle change, the first thing we often ask is, “What’s in it for me?” Perhaps that’s a thought that takes root from our “fight or flight” instinct. We are cautious about everything we do and so, we make sure there is something to be gained from whatever it is we’re about to embark on.

When it comes to lifestyles that are in vogue, the zero-waste lifestyle is probably one of the most popular out there today. It involves making several changes to your consumption habits that reduce your output of non-biodegradable waste.

While the environmental benefits of going zero-waste are easy to figure out, did you know that this lifestyle also has benefits for your general health?

Going Zero-Waste Reduces the Incidence of Diseases Caused by Landfills

Have you tried going to a landfill where all your city’s trash is dumped? Before recycling became a thing, landfills were the only destination for garbage in many cities and communities around the world. There, the garbage is left under the sun to decompose. In fact, a landfill is essentially a giant compost pit.

Now, let’s take a look at the process of decomposition. Decomposition is a natural process in which matter deteriorates into a form that is easily absorbed and consumed by microorganisms in the soil. We see decomposition all around us. For example, paper is a biodegradable material that decomposes in the soil in the right conditions.

With garbage, it’s a different matter.

Rotten food, for instance, attracts insects and pests when left to decompose on its own. It’s why you throw leftovers in the trash in the first place—so they can be taken away from your home and lead the flies and other household pests elsewhere. But everything has to go somewhere, which means that even if your waste isn’t at home, it’s joining everyone else’s trash in your city landfill, making it a Disneyland of sorts for pests like flies, mosquitoes, rats, mice, and roaches.

And where there are pests, there are also bacteria, viruses, and diseases. And the problem here is that these pests don’t just stay in landfills, they will go around and contaminate the objects they come in contact with, spreading diseases such as amoebiasis, leptospirosis, and others.

And it’s all because of the garbage we collectively throw in our landfills.

Reducing Your Waste Prevents Contamination of Groundwater

Aside from spoiled, rotten food, landfills are also filled to the brim with plastics. In fact, according to Clean Up Australia, “An estimated 3.76 billion bags or 20,700 tonnes of plastic are disposed of in landfill sites throughout Australia every year. Australians dump 7,150 recyclable plastic bags into landfills every minute or 429,000 bags every hour.”

The danger here is that plastics, which are essentially a byproduct of oil, release harmful chemicals into the ground as they decompose. The soil absorbs these chemicals, which, given time, eventually seeps down into the groundwater, contaminating a valuable water source for your community.

If everyone practices the zero-waste lifestyle, however, you’d be reducing your impact on landfills, helping control the spread of diseases and contamination of groundwater.

A Zero-Waste Lifestyle Also Helps Prevent Flooding and Flood-borne Diseases

As if flooding itself wasn’t devastating enough to infrastructure, it can also promote the spread of water-borne diseases. Rat urine, for instance, when mixed with floodwater can result to leptospirosis, a potentially fatal disease that tends to manifest symptoms when it’s too late.

But let’s backtrack a bit—what exactly causes flooding?

We know that it’s caused by an unusual volume of water, far more than the sewage system is designed to handle. It can also be caused by clogged sewage lines that impede the normal flow of water.

The latter is often the case in many parts of the world. And what prevents water from flowing smoothly out of exit points?

That’s right—garbage.

Unfortunately, many places around the world still have problems managing their waste. Countries like Bangladesh were crippled by flooding caused by blocked sewage lines that the government was forced to take the drastic action of banning plastic bags altogether.

But you don’t have to wait for a plastic bag ban. By making the conscious decision to reduce your plastic waste, you can do your part to reduce the volume of non-biodegradable items that clog sewage lines.

Tips to Start the Zero-Waste Lifestyle

The truth is, the most difficult part about going down the zero-waste path making the first step. This is where all the uncertainties and doubts weigh you down. But once you make the decision of reducing your waste drastically, things will get easier. You will find out that you’ll have integrated the zero-waste habit into your own personal system.

So, how does one start the zero-waste lifestyle? Here are some valuable tips for you to know:

• Segregate Your Trash

It’s time to say goodbye to the carefree days of just simply packing for disposal the items that you think you won’t be able to use again. Take some time to go through your trash and find out what items you can reuse, and separate them. Make sure you got some extra space to put them in.

• Find Some DIY Recycling Projects

There are lots of recycling projects that you can do with everyday stuff that you have in your house. This is also a great way to exercise your creativity, and keep your mind working. For example, you can buy a few meters of canvas fabric and make your own reusable shopping tote bags.

• Give Away Stuff that You Cannot Reuse but are Recyclable

Find recycling centers that can find a good use for your recyclable items that you don’t have any projects for. They’ll be more than happy to take your “trash.”

These are just three of the ways through which you can jump-start your journey towards the zero-waste lifestyle. They’re a good start, and you can build on them easily over time. Without knowing it, you’ve already made recycling and segregating a conscious habit that you automatically do without thinking about it.