Is it just me or is there anyone else that’s worried about the environment and the amount of waste we produce? Not just in regards to climate change and the state of landfills, but our everyday activities that lead to the amount of stuff we throw out?
Recently I listened to a podcast talking about fast fashion which then spiraled into me stumbling onto the topic of zero waste.
What the fuck is zero waste exactly? Good question, I literally asked myself the same thing.
In this current climate products, food, etc are mostly being packaged with plastic and other things that might not be really environmentally friendly and ending up in landfills, the ocean, and in other places where it doesn’t need to be. With that being said, in this day and age we can’t always get away from it since most of our everyday items are packaged in these materials…so it sounds more like low waste or overall reducing the amount of waste in your life. It sounds a little overwhelming at first but when you really think about it, you’re finding other ways to manage waste – just without making a huge impact to the environment at the same time.
In case you haven’t noticed – I am super new to the world of zero waste. By the way, if you’re someone who practices this lifestyle and randomly comes across this blog, please comment and share tips on how I can put this into use in my life! But I really like the idea of finding innovative ways to reduce, reuse, recycle in my home (like what I did there?) So far, I’ve checked out YouTube and a few podcasts on what people have done. Some of these helpful changes have included using glass containers to shop at bulk stores, reusing plastic bags for grocery shopping, or even getting mesh bags to use for produce shopping.
My thoughts so far – this sounds achievable and I definitely want to work towards using these tips. But what can I do with some of the current crap in my house?
Repurpose some of the random items in my home:
I recently ordered some clothes online and was casually getting the box ready for recycling (because that’s just the habit of what I do) and managed to stop myself to ask “what other purpose could this box serve in my home without resorting to throwing it out? Hmm…I do need something to store my plastic bags in, but I don’t want it to look like a regular cardboard box…I do have left over twine from a past craft project that I can use to decorate it. There’s a few other empty containers that I have my eye on so I’m going to have to get creative and find other uses for them.
Going on a “Low Buy” with Make Up and Clothes:
As I already mentioned this whole thing started while listening to a podcast talking about fast fashion. I own a lot of clothes. Like a lot. When there are items that I no longer wear or maybe I don’t fit into anymore (I am working on losing weight at the moment) I put a pile together and donate it to a local organization that will give them to people in need or the funds go directly to the organization as opposed to Value Village, etc. What I’m trying to do now is to go through my clothes every week and make the effort to put together outfits and make use of the clothes I don’t wear that often. If it turns out that I don’t reach for that item – into the donation bin it goes.
Project pans are another thing I came across through YouTube and Instagram where people pick items from their make up collection and try to “pan” or use up by a certain time. Two items I’m currently working on are a foundation from Cover Girl and an eye shadow palette from BH Cosmetics.
So already you can see some progress has been made. One eye shadow is completely finished and I have another 4 on the go. Overall when it comes to finishing up make up, it has made me realize how long it actually takes to use up an item. There are other items I’m trying to finish off right now and I can always post pictures of my progress at another time.
Visit the Local Bulk Store:
A few of the YouTube videos and podcasts I have listened to about zero waste have suggested shopping at a bulk store using containers from home. When I was younger, I used to love going to the bulk store to buy candy but I’m surprised that I never thought to go there for everyday things like spices, rice, coffee, and other essentials. There are three bulk stores in my community and one I know for sure will allow you to bring containers in to reduce the use of plastic bags. Hopefully the next post I do on this topic, I will have done this and I can share the experience of it.
I think this a topic I would like to discuss further moving forward in this blog but those are some of the steps I’m taking as a beginner and I’m interested to see where it goes.
Maybe I’ll leave this post here for now, I don’t want to make it too long for whoever stumbles upon it – and like I said before, if anyone has feedback or advice on what else I can start to to, I am super open to it.
Thanks for stopping by and until next time – take care!
being elle 