Table of Contents
Stop Analyzing and Start Doing
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We don’t need a handful of people doing zero-waste perfectly; we need millions of people doing it imperfectly
the zero waste chef
When it comes to the term zero-waste and even the lifestyle associated with it’s most steadfast followers, it seems it causes a decent amount of controversy. But I think the general consensus is: great in theory, hard to practice.
It’s taken me a surprisingly long time to think about how to write this post; there’s just so many things I want to say that I just can’t seem to organize my thoughts.
What is Zero-Waste?
The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) last updated the definition of zero-waste in December of 2018.
Zero Waste: The conservation of all resources by means of responsible production, consumption, reuse, and recovery of products, packaging, and materials without burning and with no discharges to land, water, or air that threaten the environment or human health.
EPA DEC2018
Ultimately meaning that you send no waste to landfill or harm any aspect of the environment.
Which can seem a little very daunting when you are just starting to be eco-conscious or considering reducing your waste. Pinterest is full of beautiful pins about zero-waste swaps and how to create a zero-waste home. And when you google zero-waste, the definition or, really, any information about the movement doesn’t even come up on the first page of search results. Buuuut you know what does: SHOPS. All the zero-waste shops to help you go zero-waste.
That doesn’t exactly sit right with me. Why does someone trying to learn about how zero-waste can help the environment need to buy anything new?
I think, oftentimes, this combined with the “rules” of the lifestyle that are seemingly restrictive and the (sometimes, not always) condescending nature of zero-wasters have turned this movement into the controversy that it is today.
Then why am I still talking about it?
Because Zero-Waste as a concept is what I believe sustainability is all about, and it is crucial to aiding our efforts to help heal the Earth.
I do NOT think that Zero-Waste as a lifestyle is obtainable and I don’t think that it should be sensationalized, made to seem like we have to go out and buy new things for it. It’s important for companies to start offering zero-waste products; for them to offer their products in zero-waste packaging. And I think it is ultimately important for us, as consumers, to do our research and slowly start integrating zero-waste ideas in our life.
Simple Ways to Get Started with Zero Waste
1. DO NOT go out and buy anything.
Use what you have first. Take this time to do some research on some upcoming swaps you can make to more eco-friendly items.
2. Start thinking a little differently about your single use products.
Paper plates, napkins, coffee filters, single-use water bottles: these all have easily swapped out items. You can use your regular dishes instead of the convenience of paper plates. It takes a little bit of getting used to and it amounts to dishes every night, but it is by far the easiest swap to make since you already have your dishes.
I actually stopped using paper plates and napkins right away after switching my mindset. I kept the stash of unused paper products in my pantry for parties or when my mother came to visit—she always asks for napkins around the table when she comes to visit and, unfortunately, I don’t have enough cloth ones for all the guests. And then I compost the used napkins at the end of dinner. It’s a great way to use what you have without having to go additional products
3. Slowly reduce your waste.
You can start reducing the amount of trash that you contribute to a landfill by following the7 R’s of Zero Waste:
- Refuse items you do not need
- Reduce the items you do need. Buying in bulk is a good way to reduce some of the extra packaging associated with products
- Reuse anything and everything you can. Even if it’s in a different way than originally intended—like using old curtain rods to stake your tomato plants
- Recycle what you can’t Refuse/Reduce/Reuse
- Rehome items you no longer need or want
- Replant the seeds of the produce you grow. You can even try your hand at growing some of the produce seeds you have from the grocery store.
- Rot (Compost) everything else
That’s it. Start slow. Think your purchases through and you are well on your way to helping to save the Earth. If you need a visual reminder, consider downloading the Free Guide to Waste Reduction!
