In 2015, I saw Laura Ling’s interview with Lauren Singer from Trash is for Tossers. Lauren was able to fit all of her trash into one mason jar. I was enthralled. Lauren lived what has been coined a zero waste lifestyle. I should say zero “household” waste because the zero waste movement is somewhat of a misnomer. It’s been around for a long time. It’s the way people used to live before the onset of hyper consumption in the mid-20th century. I’ve since learned that the trash jar is fictional, but learning about the zero waste movement has been life changing.
Zero waste is really about returning to the old ways– reusables instead of disposables, low consumption, and focusing on your community. My overall consumption has dramatically dropped, I try to buy local, and I’m community-focused. Before I became a conscious consumer, I recycled everything I could. I honestly thought “at least I was doing my part.” But I was part of the problem. Recycling is a temporary solution created by the beverage and food companies. It places all of the responsibility on the consumer, instead of holding corporations responsible for creating indestructible single use products.
Another way my lifestyle has changed is with food waste. I did a research project on food waste for my master’s degree in 2016. After learning about the environmental impact of food waste, I have diverted 1,214 lbs (550 kg) of food scraps since Sept. 2016. It’s equivalent to offset 6,894 miles (11,094 km) driven by a car, or like parking it for 5.5 months.
I also garden, avoid fast fashion, and advocate for environmental change by governments and corporations.
