Anyone who claims to be green knows about the Zero Waste movement. Not everyone is actively partaking in it, but it is gaining momentum and as an avid fan of the environment I can say this is a good thing. But a word of caution: Don't create waste by going zero waste.
Regardless where you are in your conversion to zero waste living, chances are you have items in your home that are definitely not zero waste. The tendency for some is to scrap everything and start in this whole new lifestyle, but by doing that in the interest of creating less waste you end up creating more. In fact, you may even feel pressured to do this as you learn more about what is and isn't an environmentally viable choice.
If you have dental floss, as an example. There's no reason not to use this floss in its entirety before buying a more eco friendly option like Dental Lace. You already own it, and it will end up in landfill either way so it may as well serve its purpose for you first. Don't throw away half used bottles of shampoo to switch to bottle free shampoo bars. Empty those bottles and recycle them. Your replacement should be the lower waste option, but don't replace what isn't in need of replacing.
The zero waste movement is an opportunity that many will jump on to make money in the interest of saving the environment. That does not always mean the company you're buying from is actually helping the environment. Be aware of not only what you use and the waste you produce at home but also the waste produced to make the products you buy. When making decisions about where to buy your zero waste (lower waste) items, I suggest researching the company you're buying from. Certified B corporations have to meet a certain criterion to be able to obtain that rating so they are not a bad place to start looking. I personally love Grove, but not all of their products are as low waste as I would like to see. Ethnique is a B corp making shampoo bars. Read up and find a company that has values that match yours. Maybe find a few and spread the love.
And when you buy these products and find the ones you really love, don't forget to tell everyone else. A large percentage of people that try something new will do so when someone they know and trust has suggested it to them. Word of mouth is a great way to help those businesses selling eco friendly products, and get people you know looking into a new way of living!
Making the change in your home to a zero waste (or I prefer lower waste) living style is not going to happen over night. Nobody will suggest otherwise. Find the places in your routine that swaps can be made quickly and easily. Maybe buy a portable cutlery set with a straw that you can take in your car and have available whenever you eat away from home. Switch to reusable produce and shopping bags. When you empty that mayonnaise jar, how about wash it out and let it become the new home for Beauty Kubes? There is no shortage of opportunities for improvement in our daily lives. Take one step toward zero waste living every day or even every week. The point isn't to be perfect, but to be constantly making yourself better! Good journey!
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