By Amber, Supplements Buyer & Zero-Waste Enthusiast
"The world doesn't need five people doing low-waste perfectly. It needs five thousand people doing low-waste imperfectly."
I find myself thinking of this quote often. As someone who is trying to reduce the amount of waste I generate, it can sometimes feel very intimidating to explore the low-waste lifestyle. Since I live in a third-floor apartment that's roughly the size of a postage stamp, things like composting and growing my own vegetables aren't feasible for me. But I truly believe that it's the intent that counts with waste reduction, and that even the smallest actions are important. Here are a few simple ways I've found to help reduce the waste in my life.
Try Some Mending. So your favorite sweatshirt finally ripped under the arm; or a button popped off your jacket, or your cat clawed a hole in the upholstery of your couch. Learning how to repair a busted seam or replace a button is a simple skill that you'll be able to put to use again and again, and if you feel confident, you can even try some more complicated projects. (I taught myself how to reupholster dining chairs this year, and in doing so saved some previously-very-ugly chairs from the landfill with a colorful fabric makeover.)
Put the 'Eco' in Decor. Instead of purchasing new decorations for the holidays, see what you can repurpose around your house. Last year I decorated my Christmas Tree with strips of recycled fabric instead of tinsel -- it was colorful, unique, and utterly whimsical. I also like to make garlands out of newspaper and bright paint for holidays, and I am a big fan of papier-mache. Making your own holiday (or birthday, or random party) decorations can also be a great opportunity to bond with friends and family -- especially if you have kids in your life!
Rethink Your Packaging. Considering your plastic waste is a great way to reduce how much trash you generate. A few years ago, I went through my day writing down everything I used that was made of plastic, and was horrified to see how long the list was. Sustainability has swept the body care industry, and many products -- like deodorant packaged in paperboard, shampoo bars without any plastic packaging, and even plastic-free cosmetics -- are available nowadays. Even a switch from a plastic container to a glass one can help.
Green Your Period. If you're a person who menstruates, you know how much trash period products can generate. I've been using a menstrual cup for over 10 years now, and it's been one of the easiest adjustments to the low-waste lifestyle I've ever found. (Bonus: no more purse full of maxi pads, taking your bag to the bathroom, or hiding tampons in your boot to discreetly tend to your menstrual needs while you're out and about.) My favorite reusable period products are the DivaCup and Gladrags Reusable Pantyliners.
Go for Reusable. While some aspects of low-waste can seem intimidating and even downright scary (reusable toilet paper, anyone?), others are pretty accessible. Switch out your plastic sandwich bags for a cute reusable fabric pouch, try a roll of reusable bamboo paper towels instead of your regular kitchen paper towels, and carry a water bottle instead of buying plastic bottles of water. These days, whenever I buy something, I ask myself, Will I be able to use any part of this object again? I repurpose glass jars and bottles to hold my spices and teas, wrap leftovers in Bees Wrap, and opt for reusable face-cleansing pads. All in all, these adjustments to my life have been pretty easy!
Remember, we're all on this low-waste journey together. Don't be too hard on yourself if you see the girl on Instagram buying all her groceries in bulk when you've only recently switched to paper-wrapped soap. We each do what we're capable of. And no effort goes unacknowledged. Every act of waste reduction, no matter how small, can make a difference.