Have you ever wondered, what will happen to all these packages that we get when we buy things like groceries? It seems convenient to have them in those packages, right? Easy to carry, store, and so on. But once the item inside these packages gets used, what do we do with them? Well, we discard them. We will put them into the waste bins and think these plastics will no longer cause harm. But, what happens later with these packages is a different story altogether. 

You see, of all the plastics and other packaging items that we use, only a little percent can be reused or recycled. Other waste packages are dumped into the landfills and left there. As the global population is hiking, the existing land gets used much faster to meet their needs. So to meet this growing need, we will be forced to inhabit near these landfills. This will lead to diseases, discomfort, and other bad impacts. 

So, what can we do? Simple, we have to change our shopping practice. Well, easy said than done right? But, who knows, if we could take a little effort and try, this new approach will become the new normal. So what new practice can we incorporate? The Zero Waste Method of living!!. With this method, we intend to use products that are degradable or create less to zero waste. To add a little cherry on top, this is a sustainable measure too. So...

                               

What is this Zero Waste Store? 

You see, a zero-waste store is now a growing trend in many parts of the world. What makes them different from other stores is their approach to product selling. In a normal store, you will find most of the products already packaged in plastics and are ready to take away. But in a Zero Waste Store, products aren't packed in plastics. they are displayed in jars or barrels in bulk quantities or uses eco-friendly packaging. The store supports sustainable shopping. So we are asked to bring our own sustainable and eco-friendly storage units to shop.

How is the shopping approach different in a Zero Waste Store?

When shopping in a Zero Waste Store, the consumer has to carry sustainable storage options with them. For example, glass jars for collecting cereals, or oils and so. As things are not packaged, they will be displayed in a bulk quantity in barrels and jars, from which the consumer can take the desired quantity of product. This reduces wastage of products, like that packet of cereals that you brought and forgot.

Won't the weights become a problem? 

You see, the containers that you carry like glass jars and so have a weight of their own. So, if you add products into it, then the weight of the jar will be added to the product weight and this could affect the price, right? Well, NO!! These stores have specialized weighing machines that can weigh the weight of the container and note it into the price tag. Thus once you fill up your product, you would only have to pay for the product weight rather than the whole weight of the container. 

How are these stores helpful to people? 

• Reduced production of hazardous packages - As consumers bring in their own containers, the need to produce packages reduces. As the demand decreases, such productions will decrease and alternative methods will get promoted as they will be in high demand.

• Minimal waste generation - As packaging gets eliminated, the amount of waste generated by the disposal of such items also decreases. Thus the amount of waste reaching the landfills will tremendously decrease as well.

• Producers and consumers get directly connected - Products will be directed shifted from producers to the stores and thus both consumer and producer will be benefited. As the producer doesn't have to spend much on packaging costs, he could save on such expenses and get the correct benefit of his hard work. While consumers don't always have to pay for their packaging costs, they get to save money too.

• Reuse of storage products and mindful shopping- As consumers get encouraged to bring their reusable storage units, the need for excessive production of packaging materials also will decrease. As people are carrying containers from their homes, they will be mindful of their shopping list thus reducing the tendency to fall for useless consumerism.

• Provides a market for sustainable products - As these stores promote the supply of eco-friendly commodities, the need for such items will increase. This will open up more opportunities and jobs for people who can bring in such innovative sustainable product ideas.

I know, it is not easy to remember and carry these containers and this is all so new. These excuses will form a long road if we think so much. But, this is a much-needed change for the world. We can't afford to make more mistakes and forget that the earth that we live in can be exploited more. Is it is not okay anymore. We need to be responsible for our actions and be more mindful when committing to new ones. So, what have you decided?

Have you ever felt like this? You are in a classroom, for example; Mathematics. The teacher introduced a new topic and you seem to have got it pretty well and done almost every question. But once you reached home or when you tried to work on that same topic the next day, you seem to have gone blank? Well, Don't Panic!! That's how our brains work. 

You see, when you learn something new your brain does some chemical reaction and store the data for a short time. And that's exactly why we term such as memory as short term memory. The problem with short term memory is that it's lost after a short time. But you can't always rely on such a memory. What if you have to remember some formulas, terms, equations, or codes? Then you might have to turn this memory into a long term memory. A long term memory stays with you for a long time.

How short and long term memory are formed?

Short term memories are results of chemical reaction in the brain. While, Long term memory is a physical change in the number and structure of neurons. Short term memories being working memories stays for 18 to 30 seconds. As you learn something new, the older information get pushed back. Though long term memory stays long, it doesn't mean that the information will never be lost. Brain doesn't guarantee in holding on to any information forever.

How can you turn a short term memory into a long term memory?

Well. Practice, Practice. and more Practice!! You have to work on your topics and knowledge again and again for them to change into long term memory. It might look like a tiresome work but, it is rather very important. You have to dust up your brain, try to remember new things and learn to add or subtract information. Updating new information into your brain helps not only make the memory long term. It also help you to develop your associated skill in life.

Will your brain stop developing after some time?

No, your brain doesn't stop developing or changing after a certain age. Until a decade ago, it was believed , our brain won't develop further after our mid twenties. But now scientist have found an ability of brain that helps it to stay plastic throughout our life. This ability is termed as Neuroplasticity. With this ability, your brain can form new neuron connections and thus helping to grow and repair

the brain even after injuries. Though a young brain is more plastic than an adult brain, it doesn't mean adult brain can't change at all.

How can you promote Neuroplasticity of your brain?

• Physical exercises - As this improves blood flow to your brain, it helps the brain to function in a much better way . It also promotes brain's ability to produce new neurons.
• Learning new things - Any ability will get improved only when it is used. Like that, you have to learn new things to help your brain produce new neurons and thus produce a long term memory.
• Observations and Brain exercises - Brain games, Yoga, meditation etc,. help promote brain growth . Not only that it helps us come out of the automatic way of living, which in turn make us dull and inactive.

So, it seems that they is no more excuses to think learning can't be part of your life. You can always take the driver seat of your life and take new directions as brain promote change. It can help you come out of a dull life, start over, change your mindset, bring in new knowledge at any point of life. What have you decided? What change are you going to bring? What new skills are you going to learn?