Zero Trash Year mission aims for a greener Earth

However, what others deem impossible seems possible for 28-year-old Tin Fong Yun who managed to only produce a jam-sized bottle of non recyclable trash in a year!

Holding on to the 5R principle of Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Rot, the former journalist of a Mandarin daily reduced waste in her daily life after being inspired by Colin Beavan's book 'No Impact Man'.

"Motivated by the author who wanted to save the world by reducing daily trash, I accepted the challenge and targeted for Zero Trash in a year from January 1.

"In Europe, 'Zero Waste' missions are popular in minimising carbon and waste .

"It looks like an impossible mission for Malaysia because most of us use cars, a carbon contributor. So I changed it to Zero Trash to put in practice daily," she said.

Tin created the 5R principle by adding Refuse and Rot to the 3R principle of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle.

She began her Zero Trash challenge with the first principle Refuse as the foundation in which she refuses the use of non recyclable items in her daily life.

"This does not mean getting rid of all non recyclable items, but keeping in mind to avoid such items when shopping.

"For example, we can refuse to use plastic bags and polystyrene containers that are popular when we shop or takeaway food. They can be replaced with cloth bags or food containers respectively," she explained.

Tin also takes the initiative to bring her own glass water bottle, food container and recyclable cloth bag when out shopping.

For Tin these are the essential items in her bag.

"It's not wrong to refuse plastic bags and polystyrene containers but many don't do this because they are embarrassed or just can't be bothered.

"Actually, people can educate others by using environmentally friendly items and indirectly influencing them to care more for the environment," she added.

Tin also indirectly acts as a role model when she takes away food using her own container.

"When I request a fast food outlet to put fries in my own food container it attracts the attention of other customers and this is when I take the opportunity to explain what I'm doing," she said.

The graduate in Biomedical Engineering from Beijing University of Aeronautics and Astronautics also shared her secret in achieving a house without waste by managing food waste through the Rot principle.

Besides separating her daily trash like many others, she said food waste management is an important element in preserving the environment.

"I collect my daily food waste into a large bin with small holes inside which I line with dried leaves daily. I leave it under the sunlight for a week.

After a week the food waste will biodegrade into a black liquid, which can be used as fertiliser for soil and plants.

"Because my husband and I are vegetarians, most of our food waste comprises of vegetables that can biodegrade into fertiliser.

"If possible, try to avoid discarding remnants of bones and meat because it can create a foul smell and attract flies.

"Should there be any bones or meat, bury them in the soil," she said.

In carrying out Zero Trash Year, Tin and her husband Lau Tzeh Wei discipline themselves to minimise the use of non-recyclable material in their lives.

However, there are times when she feels that it is unavoidable.

So the non recyclable waste is collected into an empty jam bottle instead.

"I set a goal that we will only produce non-recyclable waste that fits the jam bottle for the whole year and we've been doing it ever since," said Tin.

Most of the waste collected in the jar, she said, were non recyclable material such as plastic medicine wrappers.

"It's not possible to fully implement Zero Trash in a year, but at least we've set a goal to minimize waste in our lives," she added.

One of Tin's dreams is to hold a Zero Trash Wedding, whereby items used are recyclable and there is no wastage of food.

She said Malaysians throw an average of 30,000 metric tonnes of trash daily with weddings and grand feasts being the biggest contributors of waste.

"I feel disappointed that every time we attend a wedding or function a lot of food goes unfinished due to its large serving portions. In the end it goes to the trash.

"The use of polystyrene containers and plastic utensils also contributes to the pile up of trash to the point that bins are no longer able to accommodate them," she said.

Tin wants guests invited to these Zero Trash Wedding to understand the importance of caring for the environment besides just celebrating an event.

"We will ask guests to prepare their own eating utensils and provide food using eco-friendly material while leftovers will be packed to avoid wastage," she continued.

Tin, who hails from Muar, Johor, is a firm believer that action speaks louder than words and never underestimates small actions that could possibly change the world.

"Maybe a small act is not enough to affect all, but I believe that no matter how small an act is, it will still make an impact.

"Therefore, why don't I start Zero Trash Year first to foster awareness on preserving the environment and later people around me will be influenced and learn from this," she said.

The Zero Trash mission, Tin said, was not something difficult to carry out as long as a person remain disciplined and patient.

"Everyone is aware of living an eco-friendly life and want to preserve the environment, but there are those among us who cannot be bothered to put in a little effort to do this.

"We don't need high awareness on environmental preservation. A small act from each person is enough to change the world and give us a more disciplined and happy life," she said ending her conversation with the writer.