Build a 5-Second Habit That Changes How You Consume
Before throwing anything in the trash—pause and take a quick photo of it. That’s it.
This ultra-simple action helps you become more aware of what you waste, making it easier to reduce over time. Whether it’s food, plastic packaging, or a broken gadget, the visual cue triggers mindfulness, encourages better choices, and supports SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.
Why It Matters
- Globally, 2.24 billion tons of solid waste are generated annually—and over 30% is not managed in an environmentally safe way (Source: World Bank).
- Food waste alone accounts for 8–10% of global greenhouse gas emissions (Source: UNEP Food Waste Index Report).
- But most people underestimate how much they waste—awareness is the first step to change.
How to Do It
- Keep your phone handy when using the trash, compost, or recycling.
- When you’re about to toss something non-trivial (e.g. leftovers, packaging, expired goods, broken tools), take a quick photo.
- Review your “waste reel” weekly. Are there trends? Repeat items?
- Use the insights to make one better decision next time—buy less, reuse, repair, or plan smarter.
You don’t need to share the photos or use an app—this is just about building daily awareness.
How It Supports SDG 12
- Encourages mindful consumption and waste reduction.
- Provides personal data to identify patterns in food, plastic, or electronic waste.
- Builds the foundation for bigger choices like zero-waste habits, composting, or local repair initiatives.
- Helps reduce demand for unsustainable production through behavior change.
Bottom Line
Snap before you toss.
That 5-second photo habit can shrink your footprint and shift your consumption mindset.
Try it for 7 days—you’ll be surprised what shows up.
