World Recycling Day: Beyond Sorting, 3 Golden Rules for Reducing Waste at Source

Temps de lecture : 4 minutes

World Recycling Day, celebrated every March 18, is the perfect time to take stock of our consumption. While sorting is an essential step, at Les Paillettes Vertes we firmly believe that it should only be the last line of defence. On this World Recycling Day, let’s remember an essential truth: the best waste is the waste we don’t produce.

On average, a Swiss resident produces around 700 kg of waste per year. This is almost double the world average. Recycling requires an enormous amount of energy and transport, which is why our philosophy focuses on the step before: reduction at source. Whether you’re already a convinced minimalist or in the midst of a zero-waste transition, this guide gives you the keys to transforming your daily impact.

1. Refusing the superfluous: the first pillar of World Recycling Day

Reducing waste begins long before it reaches the garbage can: it starts at the store. Refusal sends a strong signal to manufacturers. Every free sample refused, every plastic bag avoided and every over-packaged product left on the shelf is a vote for a more sober future.

In a society that encourages us to accumulate, adopting a minimalist approach frees up mental space.

• LPV tip: Before every purchase, practice the BISOU method (Need, Immediate, Similar, Origin, Useful). Above all, ask yourself, “Do I have a sustainable alternative, or can I do without?” Often, the answer is already in your cupboards.

2. Replace disposables: concrete action for World Recycling Day

The kitchen and bathroom are the two rooms where we produce the most single-use plastic. Yet there are local, artisanal solutions to transform these repetitive gestures into eco-friendly rituals.

Take washing-up, for example. A typical household throws away around 12 to 15 synthetic sponges a year and consumes around ten bottles of washing-up liquid. These sponges, often made of plastic and chemical glues, are not recyclable and release microplastics with each wash.

• The LPV Winning Duo: Our Cake Vaisselle is a concentrate of efficiency that replaces up to 3 bottles of classic liquid.
• Les Carrés Complices: Unlike yellow and green sponges, our squares are sturdy, attractive and machine washable. A single square can last several months, drastically reducing your volume of household waste.

3. The art of closing the loop: composting your accessories

Reducing waste at source also means ensuring that the objects we use every day don’t end up in the incinerator at the end of their lives. This is the principle of the circular economy: what comes from the earth must be able to return to it.

Did you know that 30% of our household waste is made up of organic matter?(Source: Zero Waste Switzerland). At Les Paillettes Vertes, we select materials that respect this cycle:

• Luffa: This natural gourd is a champion of biodegradability. Once you’ve used it too much for washing up or showering, just cut it into pieces and put it in your compost. It will degrade naturally in just a few weeks.
• “Le Carré” washable paper towel: Made from 70% cotton and 30% cellulose, it is technically compostable. If you use it with natural products (like our Marseille soap or vinegar), it can join your vegetable peelings to become fertilizer.

4. Purify your home: conscious spring cleaning

Respecting the environment also means looking after our health. We recommend deep-cleaning your mattress twice a year (ideally before Easter and New Year). Why do we do this? Because mattresses are breeding grounds for dust, dust mites and, unfortunately, bed bugs.

In Europe, 1 in 10 households has had to deal with bedbugs in recent years. Instead of running to heavy chemical insecticides, opt for Diatomaceous Earth. Derived from fossilized micro-algae, this mineral powder is a professional-grade, eco-responsible solution that works mechanically to protect your home. It’s the perfect ally for a healthy interior without polluting the air in your bedroom.

5. Adopt the “Do-It-Yourself” (DIY) philosophy

Taking back control over the composition of your household products is a militant act. By using simple raw materials (bicarbonate, citric acid, percarbonate), you eliminate the need to multiply specific plastic packaging.

“Zero waste is not about perfection, but about repeating small gestures with meaning.”

Take action this month!

To celebrate World Recycling Day, take advantage of our -20% off raw materials until the end of the month. It’s the perfect time to boost your sustainable creativity and prepare your own recipes.

Supporting Les Paillettes Vertes means choosing Lausanne-based craftsmanship, professional-quality ingredients and an uncompromising vision for our planet.

Find us online or visit our new partners in Lausanne:

• 🌿 Saveurs en Vrac (Rue de la Tour 6): For your bulk shopping.
• 🌸 Macky Fleurs (CHUV): For a lasting gift.
• 🍎 Croc’ Bio (Avenue de Cour 74): For healthy, zero-waste food.