Deciding to embark on a zero waste lifestyle is something that takes a lot of time. You can’t go zero waste and plastic free over night. It would be amazing if you could choose to go zero waste and suddenly generate no waste, but we must start where we are and do what we can. Although I have replaced, over time, a lot of the items that are sold in plastic packaging, there are still some things that I need to work on.
One of the hardest parts of going zero waste is not beating yourself up for still generating waste. Most people who start down this path do so bc they are passionate and dedicated. Zero waste is not something people fall in to lightly. Or if they do, it probably won’t stick. But something that people don’t often talk about is the guilt and anxiety that zero wasters face over many daily decisions. One way to reduce that feeling is to think about the items you still buy in plastic, or that create waste and make a plan for how to change. Here are some of mine.
Sour cream, rice milk, bread, tortillas, yogurt
A lot of the items I still buy that create waste are in the kitchen. For many of those listed above, my plan is to learn to make my own or source alternatives. I’m not saying that I’ll never buy another loaf of martins potato bread (that stuff is delicious!), but by making my own bread or buying from a local bakery on a regular basis, I can buy less in plastic.
Coffee
I love to support my local roastery, and I love their coffee. But they use plastic lined bags. Before lockdown I was building up my nerve to ask for the beans in my own container. Now I’ll have to come up with another plan, or wait it out.
Dr Bronners soap
I use this soap for many cleaning tasks around the house. I already buy the largest container I can which lasts me many months. I would love to find somewhere that sells this soap in bulk, so I can refill these large containers.
These are just a few items off the top of my head, but practicing isolation and changing the way we shop has given me plenty of time to think about how and where I will shop for replacement items, make my own, or utilize local venders/farmers markets for these and many more items. These changes will not be instantaneous, and may not be easy. Thinking about the future and how I can change my behavior, even if it will be less convenient to me, helps me not feel so anxious when I see that loaf of bread in a plastic bag. I know that I am making steps to change for the better in the future.
What steps are you taking to reduce your waste and your anxiety about waste?
