'Zero Waste'. Its something I'm really wanting to get into more and is definitely something that I feel is super important both for the environment and the future sustainability of the human race. Basically, the concept of 'zero waste' is pretty self explanatory. Refuse anything wrapped in plastic or anything that can't be reused, Reuse any products you acquire but try to reduce your impact overall, recycle what can't be reused and minimise sending things to landfill.
Imagine getting zero waste to a point where you don't have to take out the garbage anymore! That *nothing* in your house ever ends up in the bin or in landfill. I know its possible, but I'm nowhere near that good! In fact, I'd go as far as to say I actually throw out a lot of stuff, so here are my zero waste resolutions and ideas...
* No more buying bottled water, I'm going to take a small wine bottle with me with water in it wherever I go (that's refusing AND reusing right there!)
* Same deal for coffee or tea, I can sit in the cafe and have my beverages in a real ceramic mug instead of a shitty plastic/cardboard takeaway cup
* Buying food from my local markets instead of supermarkets. That way I can take my own jars for them to fill up with pasta/oats/flour instead of buying packaged. Also this is actually cheaper I think!
* Refuse all plastic bags and take your own shopping baskets and bags! (I already do this)
* Another one that I already do that will probably make me sound like a crazy rubbish lady... If anyone sends me reply paid envelopes as part of an advertising campaign I send them back with an angry letter about wasting paper enclosed. I know nothing will happen, but it makes me feel a lot better. I'd rather be advertised at via email, really.
* If there's two items and one is wrapped in plastic and the other isn't, always chose the low packaging option (like get the recycle type cardboard milk bottles, not the plastic ones. Its so much easier to recycle cardboard than plastic! Also the cardboard ones are useful for shredding up and mulching the herb garden!)
* I pretty much don't buy bottled herbs (basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, chives, mint, lemonbalm) anymore because I grow them all myself. I do get a lot of spices though, a lot of stuff just doesn't grow here. I generally re-use the little spice bottles to house th herbs I grow myself once they're dry.
* I already avoid eating stuff that isn't in season. Watermelon in the middle of winter is just silly. That shit has either got a bucketload of foodmiles... or its been in the freezer for 6months. Yum.
* I make my own moisturiser, massage oil and lip balm from scratch now! I don't use soap anymore. I just scrub down with a loofah. I need to get onto finding good alternatives for my shampoo and conditioner. There's an interesting video on the dangers of toxic cosmetics here.
* 100% recycled and unbleached toilet paper individually wrapped in paper
* I already use vinegar and bicarb soda for my cleaning needs, I do still have a dishwashing liquid that comes in a plastic package, need to find an alternative there.
* I generally try to keep my consumption to a minimum. I've started knitting, I sew a lot of clothes myself, buy secondhand from op shops... whatever I can do to avoid buying new stuff. Also new stuff always seems to break SO fast, I find its better to get, say a pot or pan from the 40's than buy new because they always seem to last longer.
* Going to look into Party in My Pants because pads are really just glorified nappies and their packaging and everything makes SO much waste (ladies!)
* I don't get kitty litter, my cat just poops outside (generally in the garden bed, she's a monster). I also boycott tinned cat food because they have so many bad things in them. Most of them are full of corn (filler) plus things that make kitties sick like too many minerals and ash! My cat got really ill from eating cat food. Now I just give her cheap chicken wings (wrapped in paper thankyou mr butcher). It actually works out as less expensive!!
* Be more conscious about what I throw out... I'm not going to get into rubbish counting at the end of each month...
but at least try and think about it more often!!
* Composting! Its a great way to get great beautiful soil for the backyard and you can re-use all your vegetable peelings, apple cores, some of your cardboard stuff, old fabric, lawn clippings, you name it!
* No more paper towels, just tea towels and dish cloths
(pics and some of the inspiration from 'the zero waste home' blog xo)
Imagine getting zero waste to a point where you don't have to take out the garbage anymore! That *nothing* in your house ever ends up in the bin or in landfill. I know its possible, but I'm nowhere near that good! In fact, I'd go as far as to say I actually throw out a lot of stuff, so here are my zero waste resolutions and ideas...
* No more buying bottled water, I'm going to take a small wine bottle with me with water in it wherever I go (that's refusing AND reusing right there!)
* Same deal for coffee or tea, I can sit in the cafe and have my beverages in a real ceramic mug instead of a shitty plastic/cardboard takeaway cup
* Buying food from my local markets instead of supermarkets. That way I can take my own jars for them to fill up with pasta/oats/flour instead of buying packaged. Also this is actually cheaper I think!
* Refuse all plastic bags and take your own shopping baskets and bags! (I already do this)
* Another one that I already do that will probably make me sound like a crazy rubbish lady... If anyone sends me reply paid envelopes as part of an advertising campaign I send them back with an angry letter about wasting paper enclosed. I know nothing will happen, but it makes me feel a lot better. I'd rather be advertised at via email, really.
* If there's two items and one is wrapped in plastic and the other isn't, always chose the low packaging option (like get the recycle type cardboard milk bottles, not the plastic ones. Its so much easier to recycle cardboard than plastic! Also the cardboard ones are useful for shredding up and mulching the herb garden!)
* I pretty much don't buy bottled herbs (basil, oregano, thyme, parsley, chives, mint, lemonbalm) anymore because I grow them all myself. I do get a lot of spices though, a lot of stuff just doesn't grow here. I generally re-use the little spice bottles to house th herbs I grow myself once they're dry.
* I already avoid eating stuff that isn't in season. Watermelon in the middle of winter is just silly. That shit has either got a bucketload of foodmiles... or its been in the freezer for 6months. Yum.
* I make my own moisturiser, massage oil and lip balm from scratch now! I don't use soap anymore. I just scrub down with a loofah. I need to get onto finding good alternatives for my shampoo and conditioner. There's an interesting video on the dangers of toxic cosmetics here.
* 100% recycled and unbleached toilet paper individually wrapped in paper
* I already use vinegar and bicarb soda for my cleaning needs, I do still have a dishwashing liquid that comes in a plastic package, need to find an alternative there.
* I generally try to keep my consumption to a minimum. I've started knitting, I sew a lot of clothes myself, buy secondhand from op shops... whatever I can do to avoid buying new stuff. Also new stuff always seems to break SO fast, I find its better to get, say a pot or pan from the 40's than buy new because they always seem to last longer.
* Going to look into Party in My Pants because pads are really just glorified nappies and their packaging and everything makes SO much waste (ladies!)
* I don't get kitty litter, my cat just poops outside (generally in the garden bed, she's a monster). I also boycott tinned cat food because they have so many bad things in them. Most of them are full of corn (filler) plus things that make kitties sick like too many minerals and ash! My cat got really ill from eating cat food. Now I just give her cheap chicken wings (wrapped in paper thankyou mr butcher). It actually works out as less expensive!!
* Be more conscious about what I throw out... I'm not going to get into rubbish counting at the end of each month...
but at least try and think about it more often!!
* Composting! Its a great way to get great beautiful soil for the backyard and you can re-use all your vegetable peelings, apple cores, some of your cardboard stuff, old fabric, lawn clippings, you name it!
* No more paper towels, just tea towels and dish cloths
(pics and some of the inspiration from 'the zero waste home' blog xo)
VIEW 20 of 20 COMMENTS
lesabre:
yeah, seeing GWTDT made me want to read the book. wow.
inkedbuddhist:
I love this