What I Learned About Waste (And How I’m Trying to Create Less of It)

For a long time, I didn’t really think about waste. 

I would throw things away without asking where to put them. A snack wrapper, a piece of paper, a plastic bottle—it all just disappeared into the bin. Out of sight, out of mind. 

But recently, in school, we started talking about waste in a different way. Not just about throwing things away, but about what happens after that. That’s when I realised something surprising. 

There is no “away.” 

Everything we throw still exists somewhere. 

At Manchester International School, we began exploring this idea through our unit of inquiry. We looked at how waste affects the environment, animals, and even people. I learned that plastic can take hundreds of years to break down, and sometimes it doesn’t fully disappear at all. 

That made me think about my own habits. 

I started noticing how often I used things just once and threw them away. A plastic spoon, a tissue, and extra paper I didn’t really need. Before, it felt normal. Now, it feels like something I can change. 

So I decided to try. 

I began with small things. I started carrying my own water bottle instead of using disposable ones. I tried to finish my food so there would be less waste. I even started reusing paper for rough work instead of always taking a new sheet. 

It’s not always easy. Sometimes I forget. Sometimes it’s more convenient just to throw something away. But now, at least, I think about it. 

And that makes a difference. 

One of the most interesting things I learned is that being “zero waste” doesn’t mean creating absolutely no waste at all. It means trying to reduce it as much as possible and making better choices every day. 

It also made me realise that even small actions matter. If one person reduces a little waste, it may not seem like much. But if many people do the same thing, it adds up. 

I also spoke to my family about it. Now at home, we try to separate our waste and reuse things when we can. It feels good to know that what I learned in school is not just for school—it can change what we do every day. 

On this International Day of Zero Waste, I don’t think I’ve become perfect. I still have a lot to learn. 

But I’ve started asking a simple question before I throw something away: 

“Do I really need to waste this?” 

And sometimes, that question is enough to help me make a better choice.