If you’ve read my blog for longer than a few weeks you will have heard me mention the phrase zero-waste living. But you may not be familiar with its purposed meaning.
In my home, we abide by the Zero Waste International Alliance definition of zero-waste living which states that:
Zero Waste living is a 21st-century movement that aims to shift our economic system from a linear economy (our current global system) to a circular economy. It “guide[s] people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use.
A lifestyle choice that came directly as a result of living a more simplified lifestyle at home. And with any newly adopted lifestyle choice, you want to share your success and enthusiasm with others. But often when I speak about living my own zero waste journey, the reaction I’ve come to expect is, “That’s impossible.”
And to a degree, I agree. As a human being with a family that consumes products, goods, and services in order to maintain our home and lifestyle, it is impossible for us to create absolutely no trash in the society we currently live in. As part of the economic waste stream, my purchases produce waste that I do not see, both upstream and downstream. I also live in a super small town without bulk shopping options, and aside from Amazon purchases, my local purchasing options are limited to mass retail and the seasonal access to farmer’s markets. So why do I bother trying?
At its core, zero waste challenges individuals to evaluate their lifestyle. To reflect on how our consumerist habits negatively impact the environment and communities. Examinations of how inconvenient our convenience lifestyle presents to our planet. How detrimental cheap plastics and disposable food products are to our planet’s health and our own.
After all, we all reside in the same disposable society. We are disconnected from our personal collective waste steam and have been convinced by the same susceptible marketing that suggests that buying copious amounts of stuff will make us feel worthy as human beings.
For the average person, trash and recycling are picked up from the curb weekly, never seen again. The compartmentalized deluge of our past that keep our landfills overflowing, our oceans littered, and our soil and watersheds teeming with pollutants. Leaving humanity, particularly those in the developing world, left to live amongst the billions of tons of waste that we create daily.
And this isn’t just a planetary dilemma as our consumerist reach has extended into our solar system. As our galaxy is also becoming peppered with inactive, Cold War era satellites. Archaic examples of our need to disavow fellow humans and undermine international global practices different from our own masked as human innovation.
So, what does all this mean? As a race, we have reached a point where the zero waste movement is necessary to safeguard the future of our ecosystems and our own survival as a species.
As a society, it isn’t too late to change course. But don’t fool yourself, expect to confront hostility, naysayers, and resistance from others. Every step of the way.
While the zero waste movement isn’t a new lifestyle, it is still considered a fad. Especially in our plastic veneered society. With the 20th century not only ushering in the age of plastics and with it the birth of global warming, widescale wildlife extinction, and massive soil contamination worldwide.
The zero waste movement seeks to combat this disposable mindset by offering the alternative of frugal, sustainable living. With zero wasting living being a long-term journey.
But make no mistake, this is not a perfect journey. As many living a zero-waste lifestyle can attest that the idea of the movement is to strive to be as waste-free as they are able to afford to maintain at home. Whether this means a 1% reduction or a 99% reduction in your personal trash output at home, little bit counts.
While our society may never reach zero, this shouldn’t stop any of us from trying in our own affordably-sourced way to lessen our carbon footprint each day!
Afterall, the zero waste lifestyle begins with a willingness to change. Everything from our daily consumption habits to investing in community awareness programs, sustainability projects, community gardening projects, demanding consistent environmental policies from politicians, and expecting environmental transparency from the media and their sponsored partners.
With all that said, if you want to be a part of this movement, here are a few easy ways to get started:
Realize you are needed in the zero-waste movement:
Zero-wasting is simple. Its all about aiming to send nothing to a landfill. Reducing what we need, reuse what we can, send few items to be recycled, donate when able, and compost what we cannot otherwise utilize.
To redefine our personal consumerism. By not waiting for marketing agencies and corporations to redefine the waste system. To not be complacent with being the link between a disposable economy where resources sourced from the earth are extracted, used, and redeposited in the ground.
Demanding that economy mimic nature. Instead of discarding resources, we choose sustainability instead. Which starts when you realize you are needed in the zero-waste movement!
Research:
Get the facts on landfill use. Did you know that the average North American sends 4.4lbs of trash to the landfill every day? Which makes total sense as we live in a disposable society where we don’t value the longevity of our belongings due to mass markets. Leaving not only the earth depleted but ourselves.
Landfills are also toxic basins responsible for 20% of the methane emissions in the US. Nor are they properly aerated for decomposition of natural materials. With everyday toxins from cleaners small electronics, and outdated tech components steadily leaching caustic chemicals into the soil, groundwater, and eventual ocean contamination.
Not to mention the trash that doesn’t even make it to the landfill. The deluge that litters roadsides, waterways, and watersheds worldwide. Particularly that of disposable food industry plastics.
Plastics, a petroleum byproduct, is especially dangerous to the ocean and marine life. As plastics aren’t biodegraded. They simply photodegrade into tiny molecules which are filtered through micro-plankton in the ocean. It is estimated that there is a ratio of 36:1 micro-plastic pieces to each plankton organism. A phenomenon that is so pervasive that its chemical compounds have been found in upwards of 90% of drinking water. Both from bottled and tap sources worldwide.
And for no other reason that the need for maintaining safe drinking water at home, you should join the zero waste movement!
Reevaluate your ideas on recycling:
For decades Americans were lead to believe that recycling was a cure-all to environmental blight. Unfortunately, we cannot recycle our way out of this pollution.
There’s simply too much to process and we’re just consuming way too much to meet the demands of various commercial downcycling programs in North America.
Recycling also isn’t a perfect solution. While it plays into the solution, it should never be your first resource in becoming more zero waste at home. As the best way to become more zero waste at home is to lessen our dependence on post-consumer goods from store to home.
Did you know, only 9% of plastic is actually recycled? And that in many areas of North America glass cannot be recycled at all?
Which is why there is a reason recycling is LAST resort in the zero-waste mantra: “Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Rot, then Recycle”
Recycle shouldn’t be your first line of defense, it should your last. Because when you send items to recycled you lose control over their final usage. As most recycling isn’t processed in North America. Recycling is often shipped abroad and in the process utilizes more fossil fuels to transport than it saves in utility. Where it is largely shipped to China where deregulation of environmental policies allows for the futher degredation of the downcycling systems we value domestically.
Currently, China has put a ban on paper and plastic bales over 1% contamination. Compared to recycling facilities in the United States that are currently operating at 4% contamination level. Meaning that upwards of 60% of what you place in your recycling bins will end up as landfill or marine trash.
That doesn’t mean you should refrain from recycling. Simply that you should recycle better. Focusing instead on your reusing practices at home.
Rethink what reducing means to you:
One of the best ways to enter the zero waste movement is to reconsider how you can reduce your dependence on products at home. Including many one-use products, packaged foods, and fast fashion. Consider opting for multi-use products, cleaners, small appliances, and investing in multi-seasonal clothing staples instead. By reducing what we think we need you’ll reduce what will be eventually thrown away.
Another great tip is to wait for one week before making a luxury purchase. Taking time to think about whether or not you truly need it. Then when you do buy something, opt to buy second-hand first. Reusables can not only save the planet but your wallet too!
Recognize your value:
You may be thinking, will one person really make a difference? Yes! Every day you have the decision to positively impact the planet. From how you commute to work to how you buy your groceries, each action can leave a valuable imprint on your overall personal carbon footprint. Remember, every purchase you make is a vote for the kind of world you want to live in.
Because you don’t vote only at the ballot box. You cast a ballot with each purchase you make, with each company you support, and with each marketing campaign, you engage in.
Going zero waste will also improve your quality of life. Simplified living can help you live a better, safer, healthier, more frugal, debt-free life at home. And what’s better than eating better, feeling better, saving money, having your voice heard, and not having to take out the trash at the same time?
And for those who have already taken the plant-based plunge, you’re not done! Simply cutting out meat and dairy from your diet isn’t enough. To truly want to lower your carbon footprint cutting your plastic consumption from your home is necessary too! Afterall, you may reduce your methane emissions by going plant-based but if the veggies you bring home are plastic-clad, you’re still contributing to global warming and wise-scale marine worldwide!
Rely on others:
Going zero waste has been such a liberating process for me, I want to share everything I’ve learned with you.
Because with just one step in the right direction, you can change the world. Feel free to check out the blog for sustainability topics on zero waste living, capsule wardrobes, greener living, composting, and minimalism. And if you have specific questions, feel free to drop me a line to nicole@theladyprefers2save.com or theladypreferstosave@gmail.com; I’d love to help you along your path to sustained living at home!
But if I could offer you one last piece of advice, its to please be realistic. We live in a society obsessed with instant gratification. And going zero waste is not conducive to that mindset.
Being zero waste takes time and patience. Don’t go around beating yourself up for faltering along the way. Instead, give yourself, and others, the grace to grow in your own unique zero waste journey. But no matter what, don’t be a zealot. Give others the same zero waste patience and knowledge that was given to you!
Zero waste living is centered around collective effort. The hope of change. The drive to see change happen. It’s in setting realistic goals that will help you change today and maintain that change at home in the future.
And, seriously – from the bottom of my heart thank you for trying! Together we can make a difference.
I hope that in our lifetime, we can see not only the amount of waste going into landfills be reduced but more people could choose to become healthier, more fulfilled people in the movement. People who learn to love the zero waste process. We can do this together.
In the words of Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”
Now, friends, I want to ask, are you considering going zero waste at home? Or have you been a zero waste veteran for some time and can offer other readers advice on making the transition at home? Share your story below. Inspire others!
