A Zero Waste Life

Much like how Lauren Singer described herself, I am one to be super sentimental with things. For example, I kept a plastic water bottle we bought from Stanford University because, well, it was a water bottle from Stanford University. At the end of the day, it's just a plastic water bottle, and Stanford University is just an hour or so drive away. Back home in the Philippines, we would keep the plastic bags we get from grocery shopping (or wherever else) to be used again. I would bring them when I go to overnight events to keep my dirty or wet clothes in. As for working towards a zero waste life, one thing I need to practice here is using my own reusable bags or containers when I go grocery shopping. We would always bring our reusable bags back in the Philippines. However, I don't do a lot of my own grocery shopping since most of our food at home is provided. I also think focusing on only what's necessary product-wise is an important step I have to take. While I don't consider myself an impulse buyer, I do buy things that I want. It's especially hard when there's online shopping available and it's very difficult to find things you need or want nearby. All the packaging and plastic used just starts to pile up. It will definitely be a slow and difficult transition.

Comments

  1. UnknownNovember 11, 2018 at 7:18 PM

    I agree Chris! I think I am sort of sentimental but I also think that growing up in a large household you tend to have a lot more things.. and a lot more trash. I am going to try to eliminate the amount of waste in my household but its gonna be hard.

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  2. UnknownNovember 19, 2018 at 7:10 PM

    I too am sentimental with many things so I have a hard time giving things up. However, if we follow her advice in starting small, I'm sure we can make changes that would positively affect our environment. One way I thought of reducing waste is to use all my veggie "waste" (roots, etc) that I throw away, to make veggie stock. This is one way to reduce waste and make it useful instead.

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