Zero-Waste Living Tips for Urban Flats in Calicut

Zero waste living has become the buzzword among environmentally conscious people, as awareness about the ecology spreads. It is actually not at all difficult to live responsibly and reduce wastage and minimize your carbon footprint, whether you live in a flat or an independent house. Mind you, zero waste does not just mean avoiding waste, it also means living a sustainable life that helps protect our planet.

 Real estate market trends in Calicut demonstrate a growing demand for sustainable construction and apartments with sustainable features included, as they can help reduce waste.

The importance of Zero waste living in Urban Flats

As urban flats are compact and have space constraints, waste can quickly pile up and become unmanageable if you don’t manage it well. Proper waste disposal and mindful consumption can help you get as close to zero waste as possible. This can drastically reduce waste being emptied into landfills. With pollution from various sources harming our environment and mindless consumption depleting our precious resources, it is up to every citizen to do whatever they can to reverse these effects. 

So let’s talk about how you can achieve a sustainable lifestyle in apartments in Calicut:

Rule no.1: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

Reduce the quantity of single-use plastics and packaging. This can be done by taking a few simple measures, like:

• Buying from local stores and grocers instead of online
• Carrying containers to buy pulses, restaurant take-away food, etc.
• Carrying sturdy cloth bags with you when you go shopping and refusing plastic bags.
• Store kitchen ingredients in glass or metal containers like steel, brass, etc.
• Always carry a reusable water bottle and fill drinking water when travelling rather than buying bottled water.
• Replace sanitary napkins with menstrual cups
• Use reusable cloth nappies instead of disposable ones, which cause rashes in addition to adding to the trash
• Avoid chemical cleaners in aerosol or plastic cans and make your own instead, storing them in reusable bottles.
• Refuse paper bills as far as possible and reduce the number of printouts you take; opt to save files digitally instead and reduce the use of paper.

If you have had to buy something in plastic containers, check if it’s safe to reuse, and reuse it as far as possible; if not, immediately send them for recycling.

Switch to reusable cloth napkins instead of tissue paper.

Recycle old clothes, metal containers, plastic containers, papers and magazines, and everything else that can be recycled.

Eliminate clutter from your house; periodically go through your things and check if there are things you don’t need; donate or sell off things you don’t need instead of growing the pile of unused things as part of regular maintenance in your flat.

Buy Groceries in Bulk

Things like rice, lentils, and some pulses can be purchased in bulk (or loose) and stored in reusable jars. Avoid packaged goods as they are priced higher and also add to your waste. You can also buy exactly what you need. For example, the supermarket may only have packed rice of 10 kg bags, but when you buy loose, you can buy 12 kilos if that’s what you need. This is a very simple and effective way to practice zero waste living.

Set Up a Compost Bin

You may think that composting is a difficult job in flats, but it is not the case. You can readily get DIY compost kits in the market which makes this a very easy job. Use organic waste like food scraps, vegetable and fruit peels, etc. the kit will have everything required to convert your waste into compost without generating a bad smell. You can use this rich soil for your plants.

Segregate Waste Properly

It is important to segregate your waste properly, keep separate waste bins for kitchen (food) waste, medical waste, recyclable items, and non-recyclable items. Label all the bins properly and educate your family about the importance of using the right waste bin so that everyone contributes to waste segregation and recycling, and you can be more efficient in this practice.

Apartment Maintenance Checklist for Sustainability

To truly practice zero-waste living, here is a checklist of some additional things you need to take care of, including how you manage your maintenance charge efficiently. 

• Are there any leaking taps in the house? Fix them immediately.
• Do you make sure to close all taps and shower heads tightly after use?
• Is electricity leaking from open wires or other sources? Get a professional check.
• Have the air filters and ventilation holes been cleaned? Your A/C will need to work more if there is dust, dander, fur, etc. trapped in them.
• Is the compost bin full? If so, empty and clean it, and prepare it for the next lot.
• Have the old clothes, toys, containers, etc. been donated?
• Are the fans old tech or BLDC? BLDC fans consume less electricity.

Conclusion

Leading a responsible and sustainable lifestyle in apartments is easy. You just need to put in a little effort. Zero waste living is a mindset and attitude; if you have that, action will follow easily. Every little step that you take, help the planet heal and recuperate, and you can leave a better Earth for the coming generations.

Builders in Calicut today are incorporating eco-friendly features in construction like recycled materials, solar powered lighting, compost pits, rainwater harvesting, and so on, helping the residents to practice zero waste living.

Check out our exceptional 2 and 3 BHK apartments at some of the most sought-after residential areas in Calicut.