Zero waste: An ideal or an inevitable future?

EVERY year, March 30 marks the International Day of Zero Waste, a global initiative urging individuals, businesses and governments to rethink waste management.

The goal? To drastically reduce what we discard and reimagine a sustainable future.

But is a true ‘zero waste’ lifestyle realistic, or is it just an aspirational dream?

Sarawak Tribune spoke to individuals from different walks of life to find out what this day means to them and how they are contributing – big or small – towards a waste-free future.

Beyond the Buzzword

For 39-year-old PR and Communications professional Trish Wong, zero waste is not an all-or-nothing game – a process, not a perfect standard.

“While achieving absolute ‘zero’ waste may not be realistic, it’s an ongoing effort that requires everyone to play their part in reducing waste and minimising our impact on the environment,” she said.

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Shalane Matthew, managing director of Woo Woo Whimsy, echoes this sentiment, but with a creative twist.

“It’s all about being mindful of what we use and where it ends up. It’s not just about cutting down on trash but finding creative ways to reuse, repurpose, and make sustainable choices, whether it is to use reusable bags, upcycling materials, or saying no to single-use plastics,” she said.

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For a younger person like 25-year-old tuition teacher Abigail Lee, she keeps it simple.

“Zero waste is about recycling properly, reducing overconsumption, and repurposing single-use items,” she said.

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Meanwhile, 34-year-old Hassnal Hakim Junaidi, a Strategic Communication, Media, and Youth Relations manager, sees zero waste as a structured system.

“It’s not just about disposal but about cultivating conscious habits in our daily choices, from consumption to resource management,” he said.

The Role of International Day of Zero Waste

While the term ‘zero waste’ has become widespread, how many people actively recognise its global awareness day?

Wong acknowledges that while she is familiar with it, she finds the themed focus each year keeps the conversation alive.

“The term is widely used, and I understand its role in raising awareness about waste, its environmental impact, and the need for responsible consumption.

“This year’s theme is ‘towards zero waste in fashion and textiles’ and I find it interesting that each year, a unique theme spotlights different aspects of the movement, keeping the discussion fresh and relevant,” she said.

Shalane, whose business incorporates sustainability into events, sees it as a wake-up call.

“This day reminds people that waste isn’t just something we throw away – it affects the environment, our communities, and even our future.

“The International Day of Zero Waste is also a chance to rethink how we do things and push for better habits, both personally and on a larger scale,” she said.

Though Lee is not fully familiar with the day, she appreciates its role in raising awareness.

“I’m aware of it, but I do not know all that it entails. However, I believe that it is important because it helps in raising public awareness, encourages change, and inspires action in people, whether it is in individuals, corporations, or society as a whole,” she said.

On the other hand, Hassnal has familiarised himself with the day and sees it as a strategic opportunity for governments and organisations to push for sustainable policies.

“To me, it is a significant initiative that highlights the urgent global need to address solid waste issues. It serves as a moment for governments, organisations, and communities to re-evaluate current practices and work collectively toward sustainable waste reduction solutions,” he said.

Actions Speak Louder Than Words

On March 30, small steps matter just as much as large-scale efforts.

Wong, for instance, will celebrate it in a simple yet effective way: bringing her own tote bag and refusing plastic straws while dining out.

“It’s the weekend, and people tend to go out, so why not be mindful of our choices?

“However, on this important day, I find it necessary to be more mindful of my choices to honour its significance,” she said.

Shalane’s Woo Woo Whimsy is taking it a step further on a larger scale.

“We already incorporate sustainability into our events, but on that day, we’ll be going the extra mile – spreading awareness, encouraging our vendors to minimise waste, and showcasing sustainable products,” she said.

On a personal level, she will be keeping it simple like Wong.

“Even on a personal level, it could be as simple as refusing plastic straws, bringing your own containers, or getting creative with upcycling,” she said.

Lee’s approach is home-based – sorting through trash for recyclables and cooking a zero-waste meal using leftovers.

“I’m planning to sort through the items I’m throwing away to see what I can reuse or recycle and cook a zero-waste meal using leftovers or scraps in my refrigerator,” she said.

Additionally, Hassnal and his team are launching a ‘No Disposable Day’ at their office.

“We plan to implement a simple initiative such as a ‘No Disposable Day’ at the office – encouraging staff to bring their own containers, reduce plastic usage, and share sustainable living tips via our organisation’s social media.

“While small in scale, such efforts spark greater awareness and inspire others to take part,” he said.

Building a Community That Cares

No single person can solve the waste crisis. It takes a community.

Wong believes that small actions – bringing reusable bags, skipping unnecessary packaging, and donating unwanted clothes – can add up over time.

“Organisations like Hope Place Kuching make this easier. Businesses, especially in F&B (food and beverage), could do more too, like offering discounts for people who bring their own containers or donating surplus food to charities.

“It doesn’t have to be big – just small, mindful choices that make a difference over time,” she said.

Shalane also shares the same sentiment and emphasises community support for eco-friendly businesses.

“To me, it all starts with small, everyday choices. Among which is to support local businesses that use eco-friendly packaging, swap out disposables for reusables, compost food scraps, and just be more aware of what we throw away.

“Events like ours also help introduce these habits – whether it’s a ‘bring your own bag’ system, workshops on repurposing items, or encouraging vendors to cut down on waste,” she said.

Another crucial factor that encourages community togetherness is through education, Lee believes.

“By educating the younger generation, especially since social media constantly encourages overconsumption,” she said.

Hassnal seconds that and adds that public behaviour must shift to make improper waste disposal socially unacceptable.

“It starts with education – teaching families and neighbours about proper waste separation, food composting, and reusing daily items.

“We need better education, more recycling programmes, and second-hand markets to encourage a culture of sustainability. We must also cultivate a sense of responsibility, where improper waste disposal is no longer socially acceptable,” he said.

Policy and Enforcement Doing Enough?

For Wong, Shalene, Lee and Hassnal, stricter waste policies are not just necessary – they are overdue.

“Kuching could benefit from stricter regulations.

“The ‘no plastic bag’ policy is a start, but better enforcement and education are needed,” Wong said.

She suggests more recycling points and incentives for businesses to adopt eco-friendly packaging without burdening consumers.

Policies should make sustainability the norm.

“Some places already have great initiatives, like ‘no plastic bag’ days, deposit return systems for bottles, and community composting programmes.

“Things like plastic bans, better recycling programmes, and incentives for green businesses can make a difference,” Shalene said.

Looking into how other parts of the world have created a sustainable policy is what Lee hopes to see happen.

“For example, South Korea has mandatory recycling and composting laws to combat food waste in the country.

“Individual efforts alone are not enough to make a large-scale impact. Some countries have already introduced policies to incorporate waste reduction into the daily lives of their citizens,” she said.

However, Hassnal argues that policies only work when paired with strong enforcement.

“Without regulation, awareness won’t translate into action. We need full support from local authorities, with initiatives like plastic bag bans, buy-back recycling systems, and integrating environmental education into schools.

“In some states, buy-back recycling and waste separation at the source are already being implemented – and these should be expanded nationwide with full support from local authorities,” he said.

A Step Closer to Zero Waste

All in all, will the possibility of zero waste ever be reached?

Just as the respondents pointed out, the real goal is progress, not perfection.

Whether through a business initiative, a government policy, or a single person refusing a plastic straw, each effort contributes to a larger, more sustainable movement.

This International Day of Zero Waste, the message is clear: every action counts. The question is – what will yours be?