By Jessie Blaeser
Per its name, the goal of a zero-waste lifestyle is to produce no waste on a daily basis (or at least to lessen the amount of waste you create). Those who have switched to zero-waste feel they are doing their part to make a difference and helping the environment. Others say a zero-waste lifestyle is not only unrealistic but requires a certain amount of economic privilege in order to attempt. Have you made the switch?
According to blog Trash is for Tossers, a zero-waste lifestyle doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s still worth attempting. Blogger Lauren Singer lives a zero-waste life in New York City and says it is important to establish your “why” before you begin your zero-waste journey. Without this, it will be much more difficult to stick to your new habits.
In terms of putting your new practices into action, you begin by prioritizing:
Maybe you realize you’re throwing away a lot of trash by getting to-go coffee and takeout on weekdays. Prioritize making coffee at home and taking it in a reusable mug, and meal prepping and packing your lunch.
By making these micro-changes in your day, you are one step closer to a zero-waste lifestyle. Small decisions can have a huge impact on the environment when everybody works together to make them. As Singer puts it:
Recycle whatever you can. Compost whenever you can. Find a way to reuse an old item whenever you can. Donate items, or gift them to friends. The goal of zero waste living is to keep matter out of landfills.
Sure, zero-waste sounds ideal, but it’s a huge commitment, making it very difficult for people to stick to. According to one lifestyle blog, switching to zero-waste involves giving up a lot of things you love, including everything from grabbing your favorite chocolate or coffee on-the-go to eating out.
In order to be truly zero-waste, you have to always be prepared, and for many, this just isn’t realistic:
From getting a takeaway in a plastic container, to being offered plastic cutlery or plastic straws you will be forever turning down or accidentally using plastic items of some variety. You really have to be aware and keep note and ask for alternatives where some might be given.
According to blogger Kathryn Kellogg, there are unexpected benefits to living this kind of lifestyle in addition to helping the planet. Kellogg explains that her confidence, communication skills, and critical thinking skills have all improved since full committing to zero-waste:
You’ll start looking at supply chains and asking questions. With all of your confidence and awesome communication skills, you’ll be able to chat with the farmers that grow your food. Email a customer service rep at a company you like to find out about their environmental programs.
In an interview with NBC, Kellogg also encourages those who are interested in zero-waste that the lifestyle isn’t about being perfect, it’s simply about trying to do better.
There’s no question that going zero-waste costs money. You have to purchase plenty of materials to replace the items that you would otherwise throw away, such as grocery bags, coffee cups, mason jars and more. According to the blog, In Balance Co:
It is our opinion that a zero waste lifestyle is privileged. There are a multitude of factors that go into the decision making process when consuming products and sustainability is one of them. In a privileged position, it may be the most important factor you consider. If you can afford to do so, that’s awesome. But this is not the case for everyone.
…initial costs associated with transitioning to zero-waste can be prohibitive for large swaths of the population.
Although anyone can attempt a zero-waste lifestyle, it is certainly easier for certain segments of the population than it is for others.
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