The pandemic has certainly complicated, well, everything to which we might associate ourselves. Our little or big efforts to reduce, reuse, recycle are not spared either. With so much going on around, sustainability becomes more of a question than a solution, and we might feel as if our efforts can actually make a difference or not. With landfills of trash and littered grounds on our way, we might have some doubt on whether this is going in the right way or not. But do not miss to acknowledge that reusable bag you always carry with you, or the potted plants in your balcony that are growing with your care, and you should certainly not overlook those DIY painted glass bottles you kept in your room and so many more things of this sort.

Accepting our vulnerable selves and embracing our faults altogether, we can ultimately agree that lockdowns have been an extended period of reflection in terms of self-introspection as well as regarding environment-related pursuits. With the progressions in the pandemic, we have put a considerable emphasis on personal hygiene and cleanliness, along with finding out how to cut short in our ways that might harm our planet. We have also learned to focus mainly on what we consume and the whereabouts of its raw materials. But the question that is less addressed here is when we look 10 or 20 years down the line, do we still see ourselves carrying out the better versions of these practices or not. 

With all the transactions taking place around us, it is high time now that we do not just sell or buy things. It is so much needed that we think and converse along with these transactions. But before deciding to buy something, there is a certain need to have a consciousness to refuse and reduce and, of course, reuse. This could be in the form of some basic yet profound practices such as 

• Declining the unneeded extras: Specifying exactly what you need while ordering a takeout meal and saving on those extra napkins, straws or one-time use cutlery. 
• Opting refilling instead of replacing: Choosing to refill your empty containers such as napkin dispensers, personal care products, food items etc., can help you save your time and attention and the environment, of course. You might also discover a lot of local alternatives when you choose to refill rather than replace them. 
• Going wisely online and digital: Besides keeping our gadgets on standby, we can wisely shift towards a digital model of transactions while making it a point to use these devices only when we need to. 

The takeaway from this piece of concern and introspection is more of a reminder than an alarm that we all have to do our bit in order to save our bit, which eventually forms a happier and greener environment with a dash of a sustainable celebration of life.

Happy World Environment Day.