Namaste from Neerja’s Musings!
As someone who loves nature, travel, and simple living, World Environment Day (June 5th) holds a special place in my heart. 🌿
This year’s theme—“Putting an End to Global Plastic Pollution”—is more urgent than ever. Whether you live in a bustling Indian city or a small village, plastic is everywhere. Our rivers, cows, oceans, food—and sadly, even our bodies—are affected.
But here’s the good news: change begins at home. 💚
Let me share practical, doable ways you and I can truly make a difference, both in India and globally.
Plastic Reduction Tips
1. Say No to Single-Use Plastics (Especially in Markets)
Use your cloth or jute bags at sabzi mandis and kirana stores. Politely refuse plastic bags—vendors understand more than you think!
🧺 Keep a foldable bag in your purse or scooter/car always.
2. Switch to Steel, Copper, or Glass at Home
Avoid plastic containers for food storage, lunch boxes, and water bottles. Go back to our roots—dabba culture, steel tiffins, and glass jars!
🫙 Old pickle jars and dabba sets are treasures—reuse them!
3. Buy from Plastic-Free Local Brands
Support Indian startups making sustainable products: bamboo toothbrushes, shampoo bars, reusable cloth pads, compostable cutlery, etc.
📌 Search for “zero-waste Indian brands” or explore iTokri, Bare Necessities, or Brown Living.
4. Carry Your Cutlery & Bottles While Travelling
As a frequent road-tripper, I always carry my water bottle, steel spoon, and cup in my bag. It saves money and the planet.
🚗 Also, say no to sachets of shampoo, ketchup, and sauces in hotels or cafes.
5. Inspire by Example in Your Housing Society
Start a small awareness drive with children, domestic help, or RWA meetings. Organise a clean-up drive with neighbours or a composting demo.
🌱 Small ripples lead to big waves.
Universal Tips to End Plastic Pollution
1. Refuse, Reuse, Refill
Globally, the 3Rs are growing into 5Rs: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Replace.
Choose reusable shopping bags, straws, razors, and menstrual cups—wherever you live.
💡 Zero-waste is not about perfection, but about progress.
2. Join Plastic-Free July (and Beyond)
Take up global challenges like #PlasticFreeJuly, where millions pledge to avoid plastic for a month.
🌍 It creates lasting habits. Even 30 days can change your mindset.
3. Support Brands That Say NO to Plastic
From Unilever to Lush to Tata, many global brands are rethinking packaging. Let’s encourage and buy from those with eco-packaging or refill programs.
📦 Check product labels for “recyclable,” “compostable,” or “plastic-free” badges.
4. Avoid Fast Fashion—It’s Plastic Too!
Yes, that ₹199 polyester T-shirt also contributes to microplastic pollution. Opt for natural fabrics like cotton, linen, and khadi.
👚 Wash clothes less frequently and avoid synthetic blends to reduce microfiber release.
5. Educate the Next Generation
Whether you’re a parent, grandparent, or teacher, involve kids in simple acts like beach cleanups, DIY composting, or eco-crafts.
📚 Children don’t just learn, they lead.
My Simple, Ongoing Journey Towards a Plastic-Free Life
I began small, just replacing my toothpaste in plastic tubes with tooth powder packed in humble tin boxes. That tiny change sparked something deeper. Slowly, cloth bags replaced plastic, bamboo brushes took over from their synthetic cousins ( and wherever possible, I used neem ki datun), and steel straws found a permanent place in my travel kit.
One of the biggest wins for me has been switching to homemade floor cleaner—a soothing blend of vinegar and lemon peels. Not only is it chemical-free, but it also smells delightfully fresh.
I try to avoid plastic as much as possible. No more packeted milk—I’ve gone back to the good old doodhwala, whose daily visits feel like a ritual from a gentler time. Curd is no longer store-bought either—just a spoonful of yesterday’s dahi and my old steel ka lota, and we’re set.
Something I’ve started recently (and proudly so!) is carrying my steel dabba even while dining out. With children around, there’s always leftover food—and this little habit saves not only plastic containers but also those awkward moments of waste.
Perhaps the hardest shift, living in a city like Ahmedabad, has been resisting the temptation of Gruh Udyog snacks. But I’ve challenged myself to make snacks at home—from chaklis to chevda—because the satisfaction of serving preservative-free, package-free food is unmatched.
I’ve not reached a perfect zero-waste lifestyle—and maybe I never will. But every thoughtful swap, every habit I shift, makes me feel lighter, more rooted, and more grateful to Mother Earth.
Sometimes, it’s not about perfection—it’s about intention. And in every small, conscious act, I feel the quiet joy of giving back to the planet that has given me so much.
Ending plastic pollution isn’t about blame—it’s about choice and courage.
Let’s use World Environment Day 2025 not just to post quotes, but to commit to real action—at home, in our cities, and around the world.
💬 Which tips will you try today? Share it in the comments. Let’s inspire each other!
🌿 Join Me at Neerja’s Musings
If you’re someone who loves soulful stories, eco-friendly living, and thoughtful travel, follow my journey. 💚
Together, let’s make our lifestyle a tribute to the Earth.
Neerja Bhatnagar
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