Zero waste is a philosophy and lifestyle that aims to minimize the amount of waste generated and sent to landfills or incinerators. It focuses on reducing, reusing, recycling, and composting to achieve a circular economy for efficient use of resources and elimination of waste. Therefore, a company or brand that has significantly achieved the ‘waste minimizing’ goals or strives to attain them in the near future is a zero-waste brand.

Waste treatment and disposal services have become ever more important when only less than 20 percent of waste is recycled yearly, with huge quantities still sent to landfill sites. Typically, richer nations have better waste management to help deal with these issues than poorer countries. Waste is often disposed of at hazardous open dump sites, especially in developing nations. However, according to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), economists have analyzed that rich countries like the United States, Denmark, and New Zealand generate at least twice as much waste per capita as developing countries.

A massive increase in waste generation globally

According to Statista, there has been a massive increase in waste generation globally in recent decades, and the future projections are severe. By 2050, worldwide waste generation is expected to increase roughly 70 percent to 3.4 billion metric tons. Factors, such as population growth, urbanization, and economic growth, as well as consumer shopping habits, are mainly responsible for this alarming situation. With such an immense spike in the projection of waste generation for the next few decades, there is a dire need for brands to step up and adopt zero-waste policies not only in shipping, packaging, and office use but also in the materials and manufacturing processes.

Multiple stages begin with the ideation of a product to the final sellable item. Any zero-waste brand would carefully follow the ‘principles of zero waste’ at each stage of product development including the selection of raw materials, manufacturing, and packaging.

Development Stages Before a Sellable Product

Six common stages represent a general framework of product development before the final sellable product is ready:

It’s important to note that product development is often an iterative and dynamic process. Six common stages represent a general framework of product development before the final sellable product is ready:

Ideation: This stage involves brainstorming and generating ideas. Scientific assessment of the demand and need for new products or product improvements can come from various sources. For instance, market research, customer feedback, technological advancements, future vision, or internal innovation initiatives are key sources.

Research and Opportunity: It undergoes a research and feasibility analysis right after the identification of an idea. This includes evaluating market demand, conducting market research, assessing competition, exploring technical feasibility, and considering the economic opportunity of the product.

Concept Sifting: This stage develops the idea further into a practical concept. Designers, engineers, and other stakeholders work together to create initial sketches, product specifications, and basic prototypes. Feedback and requirements sift and refine the concept.

Design and Creation: Detailed design and engineering work takes place in this stage. The product’s form, function, and features are determined, and technical drawings, CAD (Computer-Aided Design) models, and prototypes are created. Iterative testing and refinement help optimize the product’s design.

Prototyping and Analysis: Prototyping involves creating functional prototypes that closely resemble the final product. Testing and validation require these prototypes, allowing for feedback collection, identifying design flaws, and making necessary improvements.

Manufacturing: A producer can begin the manufacturing process as soon as the design is final, and prototyping is complete.
Materials are selected, production facilities are set up, and supply chain logistics are established. Finally, the implementation of quality control measures ensures consistency and reliability in production.

There are two more stages of product development after the final sellable item is ready, marketing and launch, performance and improvement. These stages keep the process dynamic and ensure the quality and upgradation of a product.

Zero waste philosophy does not start with a consumer but revolves around the consumer. Companies, brands, and products give an opportunity and ecosystem for consumers to achieve a zero-waste lifestyle and guilt-free consumption.

Here are some key aspects and practices associated with zero waste:

Waste Pyramid: Zero waste follows a waste pyramid that prioritizes actions in the following order: refuse, reduce, reuse, recycle, and compost. The idea is to first avoid items that may generate waste. Then minimize consumption, find ways to reuse items, recycle materials when possible, and compost organic waste.

Refusing: Zero waste encourages individuals to refuse single-use items such as plastic bags, straws, and disposable packaging.

Reducing: It promotes conscious consumption and urges people to buy only what they need, avoid unnecessary packaging, and make sustainable choices to reduce overall waste.

Reusing: Reusing an item is a fundamental principle of zero waste. It involves finding creative ways to extend the lifespan of products and materials. Activities like repairing broken items, repurposing objects for new uses, borrowing or sharing items with others, and buying second-hand products can ensure minimum waste.

Recycling: While zero waste emphasizes reducing waste before recycling, recycling is critical in diverting materials from landfills. It involves processing discarded materials to create new products or raw materials. However, it’s important to note that not all materials are easily recyclable. The recycling process itself has limitations and environmental impacts.

Composting: Composting organic waste, such as food scraps and yard trimmings, is essential to zero waste. Composting converts organic matter into nutrient-rich soil, which helps in gardening and agriculture. It helps divert waste from landfills while creating a valuable resource.

Advocacy and Community Engagement: Zero waste extends beyond individual actions. It often involves community engagement, education, and advocacy to promote sustainable practices on a larger scale. Communities, businesses, and governments can work together to implement waste reduction initiatives, improve recycling infrastructure, and promote sustainable policies.