Bahrain urged to embrace minimalist lifestyle!

TDT | Manama           

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Reported by Zahra Ayaz

In a world consumed by excess and driven by the constant pursuit of more, a growing movement in Bahrain is urging individuals to embrace minimalism, a lifestyle that advocates for simplicity, intentionality, and conscious consumption.

As people seek to break free from the shackles of materialism, minimalism is gaining popularity globally, offering a more meaningful and fulfilling existence, say experts. In an exclusive interview with The Daily Tribune, environmentalist and advocate of minimalism Kai Miethig shed light on several eye-opening facts.

He revealed that an average of 33 to 50 percent of food is wasted annually, resulting in a staggering 1.6 billion tons of food and a loss of around $1 trillion. Astonishingly, this amount could be used to feed every single human on the planet, he said. Locally, per capita waste is one of the highest in the world.

Mr. Miethig emphasized, "If food reaches its expiration date, it does not necessarily mean it has gone bad immediately. It is often a ploy by the food industry to encourage consumers to buy more. Food can be used well beyond its ‘expiration date’ with proper storage," he stated.

He further mentioned that canned food lasts almost indefinitely, as without oxygen and light, there are no reactions taking place. As an example, a German magazine tested canned milk powder from 1950 to 2015 and found it to have the same quality as new milk powder, Mr. Miethig said.

On a global scale, an astounding $400 billion worth of fashion is wasted each year, with 85 percent of it ending up in landfills or textile mountains in various regions such as Chile, Asia, and Africa.

These regions are flooded with second-hand items discarded by consumer societies in developed countries, the expert pointed out. To combat fashion waste, Mr. Miethig provided some valuable insights.

He recommended decluttering by giving away any item that hasn’t been touched in a year, repairing clothes and shoes instead of replacing them, and opting for long-lasting quality items rather than cheap fast fashion products.

He also highlighted the issue of e-waste generated by technology-minded communities, which amounts to a staggering 53.6 million tons annually worldwide, comprising valuable mineral resources worth 62.5 billion USD.

When asked how individuals can adopt a minimalist lifestyle, Mr. Miethig emphasized the importance of saving resources.

This includes reducing the number of light bulbs in the house, purchasing from local markets to avoid excessive plastic bag usage, utilizing bicycles for shorter distances, and cutting down on overconsumption to save both money and resources. He concluded by reminding everyone that saying ‘No’ to unnecessary items is crucial, as there is "No Away" as almost everything eventually ends up somewhere else.