Embracing the Low Waste Lifestyle
Last year I started learning about my impact on the environment, other people and other animals co-inhabiting this planet with us. I wanted to write this article then; however, I never have and I am glad I didn’t because of how much I misunderstood about low waste living. I embraced the green-washed capitalist approach to it which in itself still relies on us buying more to fit into the “zero waste aesthetic”. Now being more knowledgeable I can see my mistakes. Even looking at the photos I took (these are all from last year) I cringe because they just showcase the items that I bought. Some of these are truly useful and help with pointless waste which I will get into. The number one thing; however, is that buying less and buying thoughtfully as well as being mindful about how much waste you generate is enough for you as an individual to get started and do your best if you want to help the environment. It’s not about the things you owe and can buy but about making sure you don’t hyper-consume which we are encouraged to do on the daily.
Counteractively, the first thing I did on my journey to becoming low waste (I use the term low waste rather than zero waste as the latter is a term originally meant for corporations to manage their waste, it is their responsibility as they pollute more than individuals) was buy shit. I stocked up on any interesting thing I found from Vegan Wax Wraps to a block of dish soap. I did put all of those items to use but along the way, I worked out what I enjoyed incorporating into my life and what proved a hassle. At the end of the day, you should enjoy life.
The first thing to go was water in plastic bottles. At first, I used Brita bottles with filters but soon I swapped to a bottle made from sugar cane I found at the Eden Project. In the UK, where I currently live, tap water is ok to drink. The next step was going over my bathroom products to see where I can minimise waste. I ended up using a bar of soap on a string that I still like to use, swapping toothpaste for toothpaste tabs, ditching plastic toothbrushes for bamboo ones, starting to use deodorant in a tin and using products in glass bottles rather than plastic. I now also use compostable poo bags for my companion dog, Hamish. Additionally, I minimised the use of plastic bags by reusing the ones we already had and purchasing fruit and vegetables that were not wrapped in plastic. These are small changes but they add up and these are the ones that I still partake in.
The next step for me was ditching fast fashion. I wrote about the devastating impact of fast fashion on both the environment and people here. I try to shop second hand whenever I can but also sparingly. The main way I minimise my textile waste is by simply not buying clothing I don’t need. Don’t get me wrong I still like to dress well and express myself through fashion but I can do that without constantly purchasing new clothing. You can also do clothes swaps with your friends if you need an item for a one-off event. I very occasionally buy new clothing from alternative brands or independent brands that create made-to-order clothing, such as Cosmic Drifters, as well as purchasing items that are made from recycled materials such as GRÜNBAG. These however can be pricey and I cannot stress enough that buying less is more important than being able to purchase from these brands. Occasionally buying from fast fashion brands out of necessity due to their accessibility by an individual is not going to make a huge dent in global pollution. Salem Tovar made a great video essay on the subject. Buying locally is also fantastic if you can do that whether it comes to homeware, food, clothing etc. Another great way of minimising waste is by buying second-hand furniture. It can often be cheaper which is also a plus!
Gittemary Johansen has a great YouTube channel discussing sustainability. Highly recommend it if you’re looking to learn more.
Food-wise I minimise my impact by eating plant-based. If you’re looking at reducing your impact on the environment cutting down on the amount of meat you eat is great. Think about swapping out 2 or 3 dinners a week for plant-based or veggie options. Previously I wrote an article on veganism you can find here.
One of the aforementioned items that are very useful in my opinion is the stainless steel razor. Not only do you just need one (as well as blades but these last a really long time) which means that you don’t have to buy plastic ones every few weeks/ months minimising plastic waste on that front but also in the long term you save money. That is all assuming that you choose to shave. I bought mine from Peace With The Wild. Highly reccommend that website for low waste shopping. I personally get my bathroom supplies from there.
In conclusion…
Less is more. Try to buy less and consume mindfully whilst enjoying life.
