But...what is zero waste?
Monet's Garden, Giverny, France
I've decided to write a bit more about zero waste here, as I've recently dropped the phrase into some conversations and been met with puzzled looks. I forget that while I am immersed in the low-waste lifestyle, through my own actions and seeing those of others on social media, that not everyone is aware of the concept of zero waste.
Exactly as it sounds, saying you are going zero waste means that you, when possible, are going to stop buying things that you are going to consume and then throw away. This is accomplished in many ways, such as no longer using plastic bags, bottled water, and purchasing items secondhand. Zero waste also looks at a product to see how it can be used again, repurposed, or upcycled, before it is ultimately recycled or thrown away at the end of its life.
Often, zero waste is associated with other lifestyle choices, such as natural beauty or organic food. This, absolutely, does not mean that all people who buy organic vegetables also buy vegan mascara in compostable containers. But often concerns about toxicity in products used in our homes or on our bodies and that go into our bodies, and environmental concerns such as pollution and the frightening amount of waste produced globally intersect, and so once someone becomes aware of one concern, they are likely to learn more about others.
As I wrote before, I had just by intuition began to make small changes to my lifestyle over concerns about my health and the environment, before I learned there was such a movement. Now, what once seemed like pretty dramatic changes are simply routine. At the moment, I no longer need to buy many new things, but I am looking forward to finishing my old cosmetics and replacing them with products from natural, cruelty-free, and low waste companies.
Here are some of my tips how to start a zero-waste lifestyle that will convince you how easy, cost-effective, and beneficial going zero-waste can be!:
If you haven't already, buy reusable grocery bags. This is so much more common now I can't believe plastic is even an option. How have we as a society not moved past this?! These bags cost max $2, and with many cities establishing a tax on plastic bags, they will pay for themselves, fast. They are more durable, and you don't have to worry about your mason jars full of dry goods breaking through them on the walk home.
Start shopping secondhand. Every purchase is a sign that you want to see more of what you bought. When you buy secondhand, you are not buying something that was created for you to use for just one season and then discard, either because it is falling apart or because the trends have changed.
Get a reusable water bottle, fill it up before you leave the house, and you will never again buy a bottle of water that you will drink once and maybe recycle (which is better than nothing but not what we're aiming for here people!) but likely throw away as soon as you finish it to get it out of your hands. I know, because I used to do this. (P.S. I am aware that sometimes bottled water is the only safe option. Zero waste is not about making bad health decisions in the name of environment salvation. But it is important that all of us who do have great drinking water on demand in our houses should take advantage of that, and advocate for those who don't. We should also advocate for more sustainable options, like portable water filters, so that we can eliminate the notion that bottled water is the only solution.)
Switch to natural, cruelty-free, organic products when possible. Again, you vote with how you spend your money. So many companies selling everything from mascara, to laundry detergent, have at least one product that is greenwashed, or made to look like it is eco-friendly. Often, these products are still full of chemicals you can't pronounce. But why do they bother marketing a product that comes in a clear bottle with green lettering but is basically the same as the original? Because they realized they were losing market share to companies that actually use natural ingredients. There is a market for these products, so if you are complaining about not being able to find them in your supermarket, or that they don't have as many options, buy them from online stores or write to the company asking for more variety, so that they know there is a market out there! Let's show corporations that there is a demand for natural and effective products, so that they will be incentivized to research and produce them.
And for when you are ready for the heavy stuff:
Compost! You can either buy some worms to keep in your garage, put a plot in your backyard, research if your city offers a public option or find a local farm who may love to have your rotting organic waste to use in their soil.
Become a DIY-er. When you begin making your own products to do everything from clean surfaces to brush your teeth, you realize how little you actually need. For example, instead of using cotton pads and a chemical makeup remover, I now simply use a few drops of jojoba oil on my hands to take off my makeup. Shea butter works great as a lip balm, and a bar of soap is all you need to shave. Imagine that people one hundred years ago and people now in the developing world managed to live and do live today without 40 options for dishwashing soap at the supermarket. You can do this.
Bring your own reusable fabric produce bags for your fruit and vegetables. This should be super easy, but chances are the first interactions at a store will be uncomfortable, as I have experienced. I had to go to one store for a few months just to get every cashier who works there to see my produce bags, ask me about them, ask their manager about them, roll their eyes to their coworkers, until finally one told me it was such a good idea! It took a while, but now I can sometimes go and have no comment whatsoever. But no matter their reaction, no one ever told me no. So keep trying, ask to speak to management, write a letter to corporate. And if there is no bulk store near you where you can buy package-free, write to chain of them showing demand for one in your town, or open one of your own! We are creating the future here.
Brainstorm new ideas of your own! Many zero waste options are so basic, that they are so commonly recommended (bamboo toothbrushes! safety razors! menstrual cup!) that to the indoctrinated, it is not really exciting anymore. Of course, I have all of the above mentioned and will preach them to anyone who will listen, but I'm just saying we could use some fresh ideas here. Let's think of them together :)
love,
greer