Every day, each person throws a lot of things into the trash: a disposable coffee cup in the morning, food or snack packaging, a water bottle, lunch containers, etc. Have you ever wondered how much trash one person generates in a day? The numbers we will tell you will surprise you a little.

According to the World Bank, the average person produces about 0.7 to 1.5 kilograms of solid waste per day. In high-income countries like the United States, this figure is even higher, reaching 2 kilograms or more per person per day. This means that in just one week, one person can produce more than 10 kilograms of waste, which is the weight of a suitcase.

What is thrown into the garbage dump every day?

Of course, this is a mixture of different wastes that we use constantly. 

• Food waste (waste, spoiled products) accounts for 30–40%;
• Plastic (packaging, bottles, bags) accounts for approximately 12–15%;
• Paper and cardboard account for 15–20%;
• The rest is: glass, metals, textiles, and electronic waste.

It's easy to imagine how quickly trash accumulates when we multiply it by the billions of people living around the world.

Impact of waste on the environment

In addition to filling landfills, everyday waste affects the environment in other ways:

• Food waste releases methane, a greenhouse gas that is much more potent than CO₂;
• Plastic waste often ends up in rivers and oceans, harming wildlife;
• Electronic waste contains toxic substances that can leach into soil and water.

Thus, that simple glass you throw away or the packaging you crumple up leaves a much bigger mark than it seems at first glance.

How to reduce daily waste

This process starts with small steps. Here are a few tried and tested methods:

• Bring your own glass or bottle instead of using a disposable one;
• Plan meals wisely to reduce food waste;
• Sort household waste;
• Choose reusable items instead of single-use plastic.

Composting organic waste

The advantage of composting is that it reduces landfill use and can be a valuable soil conditioner. By composting materials, you can return nutrients to the soil and reduce methane emissions from landfills. Adopting composting practices can significantly reduce your environmental impact.

Zero waste movement

It involves rethinking your lifestyle to reduce the amount of waste you produce. It emphasizes giving up what you don't need and, even if necessary, reducing it as much as possible.

Your individual actions, such as choosing reusable products over disposable items, can make a significant contribution to the zero waste movement. Use strategies such as repairing items instead of throwing them away and purchasing products with minimal or no packaging.

Therefore, understanding your role in waste generation requires a deeper understanding of your daily lifestyle habits and their impact on sustainability. Your lifestyle directly affects the amount of waste you generate, and public awareness and education play a crucial role in shaping waste reduction behaviors.