Those who know me know that I’m a sucker for a beach clean, have no qualms about saying no to a straw and a general avid Eco warrior. See I believe that if we humans are all part of the problem then we can be part of the solution. I went to schools where both head teachers encouraged (barked at us if we did) not to walk past a piece of litter without picking it us and putting it in the bin-regardless of whether it was ours or not. Looking back of course I admire them now, in our world full of waste and pollution of course putting things in bins to go to landfill isn’t the answer, recycling isn’t fully either. The point that they instilled within me is, that from our small actions massive things really can happen! Indeed from tiny acorns mighty oak trees do grow!!
In January 2018 as a new year’s pledge to the planet, I decided it was time to get serious about my role in making that oak tree grow! Supporting that change! I had already gone vegan the year before-awesome vegan eco stats below. (Source vegancalculator.com)
Gallons of water: 401,500
Sq.ft of Forest: 10,950
lbs of Grain: 14,600
lbs of Co2: 7,300
Animal Lives: 365
Any step you take towards saving the environment is brilliant but for real-think about going meat free just once a week-that’s still a positive change! Head over to Surge you’d like to read more about how veganism benefits the planet or for a starter pack. So going vegan was where my awareness of the changes I could make as an individual really inspired me and pulled me further towards reducing waste. Vegan power preach over. Back to Zero Wasting…
I’d heard about zero waste from living in Brighton but also somehow finding myself ending up on bad ass bloggers pages like http://trashisfortossers.com/ The more I delved the more I knew it would be a big change and I needed support to make it work. I spoke to my fantastic husband-he was in. (As long as I didn’t turn into a hippy and live in a cave…) I needed a wider network of inspiration though and like minded individuals who were on the same path. PING! Enter the wonderful world of Facebook groups! I decided to join ALL the relevant groups I could- Brighton even had a local one-Perfect! (of course they did it’s Brighton!) The groups were a mountain of knowledge and non-judgey kindness. Even the name of one of my favourites-“Journey to Zero-Waste in the UK” implied that it’s all a learning curve-just do your best, keep adapting on this “Journey”. Well I guess that pretty much why it’s taken me soooooo long to write this blog! It’s taken me that time to live the zero waste goal long enough to feel I can truly reflect and advise, even now I know there’s always more that can be done.
So. Back to my own little path. I’d left you with me signing up to Facebook groups following bloggers and generally surrounding myself with inspiration! From just rooting about in all this online goodness I devised the list below (a bit battered and bruised now)
I decreed that this was to be my personal zero waste bible and goals to stick to and thus hung it proudly on the kitchen pin board, a daily reminder of my ambitions! The Dawn of a new Era! The triangle was a real revelation for me I’ve always been a visual learner and this simplified the whole ZW concept for me. Put simply the best thing to do in any circumstance is to make do with what you have, if not mend or improvise, question if the task/object is really needed anyway! If it is definitely un-ditchable like cleaning your teeth for instance. What products or techniques are there to make it more sustainable-ideally waste free.
An example I’ll give you is hair washing; I went through the thought process above. Made it through a grotty few months of “NO POO” ( you know that thing everybody says-“Did you know? If you leave your hair alone for a few months it starts cleaning it’s self!) Well I nearly got there but the dirt/pollution I guess my hair picked up was making my skin break out. I tried various shampoo bars next but they all left a residue of build up on my long boob length locks. S I ended up finding a middle ground of ACV rinses (Apple cider vinegar is your new ZW DIY friend BTW) a blob of coconut oil lightly brushed through if feeling dry and every fortnight or so a non SLS shampoo (sodium laurel sulfate an ingredient which causes the dryness/stripping hair, most main stream shampoos contain this in order to get you to use conditioner!) obtained from the temples that are refill shops. Such a classic but simple idea-bring in your container and fill it up! Needless to say throughout this the fb groups were fantastically full of knowledge support and of course humour!!
Each little daily task goes through this same process. Do I need to do this? Can I do it waste free? If not is there another way to do it? Is there a handy gizmo to help? Can I get it 2nd hand? Final option-buy handy said gizmo but check it’s Eco cred. (Biodegradable, ethical, local if possible, supporting a company that does good stuff) After a while this process will become second nature, you’ll find you’re a more mindful consumer and all round earth warrior!
The journey if you are thinking of going through it (giving your life a ZW overhaul, feeling like you’re making a difference, and being an awesome example to young and old generations around you) will be entirely your own. There will be bumps along the way but go with it! The bumps are all good, they mean yo can share your experience with others when they hit them!
OK I’m ALL about making lists. I know if you’re an organiser come scatterbrain like me you’ll be too, so here’s where I’d start if I were you:
1)SUPPORT/INSPO
Join groups, tell friends/family what you’re doing it’ll help them to understand the changes you’re making. Get the kids on board if you have any-they can tell their school about it/do a talk/project?! (I dunno I’m not a mum yet-that happens though right!? Talking about your ideas is one of the first steps towards making them happen!
2) COOL YOUR BOOTS!
Tempting as it is to go online and buy a load of stuff for your new awesome Eco lifestyle WAIT! That just ain’t ZW. Enter phase 3
3)ANALYSIS:
A huge recurring tip you’ll find on all ZW groups on where to begin your journey is to take stock of your current lifestyle and household first in order to see what to change. So here we go…
- Empty your bin! Go through it-look at wrappers, food waste, packaging, kids activities, debris from life going off to landfill. What could you change? Scribble things down that you can easily do without or swap for an alternative that is waste free! If you are at a loss at seeing any alternative-seek out your support network from phase 1! People are very friendly-search or ask the group about alternatives to your rubbish offenders! It may be crisp packets, veggie off cuts, food wrapping or nappies! The support and advise will bowl you over i’m sure!
- List your routine! Sit down with a pen and pad and go through your daily/weekly routine. Here I mean personal care/ bathroom/laundry/household stuff but also out and about stuff too. Do you always buy a bottle of something on the way to the gym? Do you use cotton wool pads at the end of the day to take off your make-up? These are the things I mean.
4) REFLECT:
Holy Moly phase 3 was a big one right!? Overwhelmed? Thinking of giving up? DON’T! Sit down with those lists, take a minute to work out a way of turning all these things into Zero waste triumphs! If not totally waste free a step towards for now anyhow! Remember my NO POO story! If shampoo bars don’t cut it for you then you can always find an Eco alternative!
5) ACT/OBTAIN/BUY:
Put your hard thought out planning and rubbish bag diving into action! Go on-now’s the time to buy that gorgeous bamboo razor! Use up those cotton wool pads and try cutting up an old soft towel to make reusable pads. Finish with the tin foil and make or buy some of those funky wax wraps. Find your nearest refill shop (Unsure where that is? https://zerowastenear.me/ have you covered!) Get excited about your changes! Tell others!
6) GO PUBLIC:
Leave the house and the confines of Zero Waste in the home! One small step for you one giant leap for the for zero waste world! Be bold! Refuse plastic bags in shops and deli counters. Plan ahead-keep a sash of paper bags for grocery shopping in your handbag or use fabric drawstring bags! Ask for no straw with that bevy or even take your own straw about the place with you! (You’re a ZW master now!) As your confidence grows you can ask in places if they have waste free alternatives-even if you know the answer! Staff will often take note and feed it back to their colleagues or management. Support your local green grocer and remember to buy seasonal produce! Remember it’s about the wider picture too-Is the carbon foot print of those strawberries flying in from Egypt because its October really worth it? Go blackberry picking instead?!
7)SPREAD THE ZW NESS…
Now you’re getting it. You’ve made a few revelations and revved up that routine-share your experiences with those around you (me even! I’d love to hear from you!) Be the one to challenge why your friend always buys their bananas in plastic? Or also be the one to let them know that they can recycle that stretchy plastic outside supermarkets. Praise them when they do! Keep things positive! Leave online reviews for really great Eco products or perhaps point out what elements you were disappointed in to help the product evolve. Support and use ZW/refill shops, thank local shops for any positive changes they make. If you’re a tweeter tweet about the good stuff and tag companies. Instagram/Facebook share your triumphs and your fails but don’t forget to laugh about them! It’s all good…It’s all progress!
8) KEEP GOING!
I’m certainly NOT done! I’m always finding new Eco alternatives especially as awareness grows and we Zero wasters continue to support demand for sustainable products!
My next challenge will be motherhood-the nappies, wipes and food on the go that comes with it! (Stay tuned on that one!) As I said before it really is a journey-don’t let yourself forget that! Don’t limit yourself with an end . There’s always new research about waste, new alternative, new inspiration. When you face a doubt who is convinced that no amount of “saying no to plastic” can save the world, keep that chin up! Remember all of the statistics, videos, images, and information that inspired you to take this path in the first place. Keep reading all those inspiring posts and blogs and surrounding yourself with positive stuff!
As your awareness grows and you buy less, you’ll want the things you do buy to be long lasting, good quality, and kind to the earth. You’ll likely find yourself being drawn towards supporting companies with wonderful Eco aims and are responsible in their approach…
- Some companies are driven by ocean cleanup operations like 4Ocean who sell bracelets-perfect eco pressies.
- Clothing company Rapanui ensure every stage of their products manufacture is as Eco-friendly, ethical and sustainable as possible, they even towards creating a circular lifespan of their products-when they are worn out, you can send them back to be made into other products via Teemill and receive credits for a new item of clothing. Amazing!
- ZenBear create sustainable natural rubber mats with ultra funky designs! Check out some other eco aware yoga brands here some even using ocean plastic to create leggings!
I could go on the point is that awareness is spreading and if we can put our money where our mouth is and support businesses with these great eco credentials the big guys at the top will get the message! That wallet in your pocket is all the power you need to drive change. If we make enough of a song and dance about wanting change and boycott the items we don’t agree with-disposable razors, plastic cotton buds, plastic packaging etc. As we-the western world often lead the trends for the rest of the world we can set this example with our higher level of disposable income, high consumer power and our social media influence. These big companies will have to listen as we will be hitting them where it hurts-their profits! Be that change you wish to see in the world.
Working toward zero waste is my yogic take on living in a modern world. In order to follow the journey you need to be mindful. You need to pause and look around you. To stop. To question why things are being done how they are. In doing so we can work towards practicing Ahimsa-non violence toward the planet and it’s fragile eco system. We can feel part of something bigger-the life force of the planet.
If this blog has been helpful to you I’d Love to know! Perhaps I’d share more content about zero waste living-videos etc? Drop me a line!….