11.5 - Zero Waste Lifestyle


Living a zero waste lifestyle has many environmental benefits.
I would love to transition to using less waste, but do not think I can completely commit to being zero waste. I will work on a scale, slowly making my way to the zero waste side of the spectrum.
Right now I use a stainless steal bottle for water, but sometimes forget it. I have been using recyclable bags and leave them in my car for trips to the store or market.

Somethings to work on would be to use just glass containers. I am going to start to collect and save my current inventory of glassed goods. That way I have more containers to use instead of plastic.
I already shop second hand, but when it comes to shoes, that is just weird for me. I do not think I can completely get rid of packaged items, but I can "reduce" the amount I purchase.

I think that in order for more people to become zero waste
Education, implementation and resources all need to be available for the general public. I love that Lauren Singer created a zero waste store, but we need more places like this around the world.

Also, time does play a role. When you DIY you have to take the time to transition out of what you have and work on creating and making the new. This is a process I believe if we all work at, over time, small changes will become bigger changes.

Comments

  1. Terrianne GNovember 9, 2018 at 10:19 PM

    I am totally guilty too of attempting and not being consistent with my contribution to "living zero waste free." I definitely feel like it's a transitional period that takes a couple of years ... even the girl in the video we watched for our lecture stated it took her some years to completely transition. I do believe also not everyone is capable of maintaining this lifestyle (those who travel, elderly who have normative beliefs etc) so it's definitely a personal movement

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  2. Ayla EvinsNovember 11, 2018 at 3:29 PM

    I agree - it definitely takes time to make the transition. But i also think that is the only way that you're going to make these changes stick. If you try to change everything at once of course you are going to fail. I think it's important to pick 2-3 things you want to focus on and then once those things become second nature, you can chose new things to focus on. I used to forgot my reusable bags in my car all the time - one thing i started to was take them out of my trunk before I left my house for the store and put them in the front seat - then I was less likely to forget them when I got out of the car.

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