Know Your Sustainable WHY
Adopting a zero waste lifestyle can be driven by a variety of reasons, whether it's a passion for nature, concern for the environment, a desire to save money, or a wish to live a more self-sufficient and slower-paced life. Whatever your reason may be, it's important to hold onto it and use it as motivation to make sustainable changes in your daily life.
For me, the decision to integrate zero waste practices into my family's routine came from a deep-seated desire to live in harmony with the natural world, rather than in a fast-paced, disposable society. As a teenager, I had an intuitive feeling that this way of living was not for me, and try as I might, I couldn't shake it. My efforts to live a more sustainable lifestyle, such as thrift store shopping, becoming a vegetarian, advocating for recycling, and studying environmental studies in college, were often met with dismissal or confusion from those around me.
I've found that starting small and building upon those successes is key to making zero waste living sustainable. In my home, this has meant buying differently to avoid waste, cooking from scratch, growing our own food, making our own cleaning products, swapping disposable items for reusable alternatives, and composting. These changes have not only simplified my life, but also made it more creative and resourceful.
Outside the home, one simple way to reduce waste while on-the-go is by bringing along reusable items such as cotton produce bags, stainless steel containers, and a water bottle and coffee mug when visiting cafes, restaurants, farmer's markets, and other places where you may generate waste. These small actions can make a big impact on the environment and can also serve as a reminder to others that sustainable living is possible and important.
It's important to keep your reasons for wanting to live a zero waste lifestyle close to you as it will help you to maintain your motivation and make sustainable changes that will stick. Remember that every small action you take towards zero waste living is a step in the right direction and will give you the confidence to keep going.
If you're not sure where to start, check out other resources and inspiration, such as blog posts and other materials about zero waste living right here!
