You made it here to our website, and we’re so grateful. With this being our first post, it’s difficult to write about reducing waste and going zero waste in the time of a global pandemic. Few things get me more excited than finding new ways to go zero waste. So, for the past few months, I have experienced quite a few upsets. From grabbing my weekly stash of macadamia nuts already pre-bagged from the bulk section at Sprout’s to ordering takeout and being horrified at how much plastic comes with it. For the most part, these things are out of my control, at least for the time being. I’m trying to be conscious still. I’ll save the plastic bags that stores have resorted to in the bulk bin aisles and reuse them or set them aside to recycle with other plastic bags at the end of their useful life (which is also more and more difficult to do these days). I take solace in the fact that I still can find opportunities to minimize the waste I generate. I just got back from The Nada Shop where I grabbed mini stasher bags for my backpacking trips. These guys will definitely be a step up from the tin foil and/or compostable paper bags I sometimes use to carry dry goods. I also refilled a jug of vinegar so I can make my own kitchen surface cleaner from one of the many recipes in The Naturally Clean Home by Karyn Siegel-Maier. My favorite find was a two-ounce metal tin that I know I’ll need for backpacking (to carry just enough sunscreen, most likely) and I’m so stoked at how light it feels.  I’m holding back big time because I don’t want to overwhelm anyone. So for now, we’ll leave you with just a few takeaways as you join us on this zero waste journey:

1.       Take a moment to recognize how far you’ve come (even if it’s just visiting this website ;)) and be grateful for what you have. Don’t be afraid to make small incremental changes. They are the least intimidating and most achievable. There’s no point to jumping into something big if it’s going to stress you out or require you to do more than you can afford (time-wise or financially). We are all about prioritizing self-care with the environment when feasible. 

2.       Next time you go to the store, buy one less disposable thing than you normally would. For example, instead of buying make-up wipes, make your own oil cleanser. I have and have had all kinds of acne issues and cleansing with oil does not make me break out (I’m just as shocked as you are!?). Everyone is different, but I highly recommend you try it, which is advice coming from someone who blinks and a whitehead pops up on her chin.

3.       When you need to buy plastic, make sure it’s the highly recyclable kind. Check with your local recycling facility to find out which ones they are. For where I live, it’s #1 and #5. At the same time, know that only about 9% of all plastic produced is recycled. The rest can be found in landfills and worse, all around us in the form of litter, spread out throughout our environment, including parks, beaches, and the ocean.

4.       Know you’re doing your best given the circumstances. That’s it. 😀