Why zero-waste shopping is the future of commerce
Plastic waste is an increasingly growing problem across the globe. It pollutes our ecosystems and threatens biodiversity. Unfortunately, plastic waste has been increasing due to dropping recycling levels. In 2021, plastic waste recycling dropped to 5% in the United States. This is because countries have recently banned the importation of U.S. waste into their own countries, forcing the U.S. to begin to appropriately manage their waste. In an effort to combat this, the zero-waste movement is gaining popularity. One such component of the zero-waste movement is the introduction of “bring-your-own-container” (BYOC) stores. These spaces encourage consumers to purchase refillable products and buy items in bulk to save money and protect the environment.