Every year since 1986 we are meeting Earth Overshoot day sooner and sooner. Humans are consuming more natural resources than the planet can renew for the year. Today, August 1 2018, we have already surpassed it. That is the earliest we have ever reached it and next year we are projected to reach it by early July 2019!
Earth Overshoot explained for dummies via short video.
It is evident we are living on this planet as if we have another one to go to. Our oceans and skies are full of waste and it is killing us. It is long overdue time for change. It is our responsibility as humans to do something. It’s not about climate change anymore, it’s human change.
Start living your life Zero Waste today – right now.
So you want to make a change, you’ve wanted to make a change but don’t know where to start and it seems all very daunting and maybe even expensive. Let me help clear some things up for you.
Actual true Zero Waste is not possible, especially in today’s linear economy, essentially impossible.
The “Zero Waste International Alliance (ZWIA)“ defines Zero Waste as a goal that is ethical, economical, efficient and visionary, to guide people in changing their lifestyles and practices to emulate sustainable natural cycles, where all discarded materials are designed to become resources for others to use.
Zero Waste means designing and managing products and processes to systematically avoid and eliminate the volume and toxicity of waste and materials, conserve and recover all resources, and not burn or bury them.
Implementing Zero Waste will eliminate all discharges to land, water and air that are a threat to planetary, human, animal or plant health.
Find what bothers you the most and start there. Is it the single use coffee cups you get daily?
Get a fantastic insulated coffee mug that will last you a lifetime of use and not stay on this planet for 100+ years being useless.
Is it the plastic straws, utensils and take out boxes (styrofoam or paper)? Buy stainless steel servingware for on the go. Use glass mason jars or mix matched jars for leftovers.
Skip on the plastic wrap and zip lock bags and buy some beeswax paper. Leave the tin foil aside and buy reusable baking sheets.
Is it the plastic grocery bags or cardboard boxes? Make your own/buy macreme grocery bags/t-shirt grocery bags or use the plastic green bins you can buy in the store/or use them if you already have them.
Hate the amount of trash you take to the curb on garbage day? Stop buying items with non-recyclable/too much/any packaging. Tell your grocery store and retailers how you feel. They do care and want to keep your business.
Frustrated with all the plastic bottles of beauty products in your bathroom? Use them up/give them away and switch to a more simple routine that involves maybe 2 products. Get a bar of soap/shampoo/facewash in one, a stainless steel reusable razor and some face/body cream. Your body will thank you and so will the planet. Plus you’ll have more time for other things because you’re spending less time in the bathroom. More money in your pocket because you’re buying less products. Less trash for you to carry out to the curb. Less waste on the planet.
Use what you have (even if plastic) till you wear it down and can’t use it any longer. Zero Waste does not mean throwing out what you have and buying new reusable. You will work your way there over time. This is a ongoing lifestyle of changes.
As you can see it is about reducing and minimizing your waste & impact. Being mindful of your resources. It is not a difficult and deprived life to live
If we continue to mindlessly polute the water, air and soil that feeds us, we will destroy biodiversity and Earth’s resources. No amount of money will save us. You may be one single small person on this planet of billions but remember ….. Small acts done by millions of people will transform the world.
How far have you come in your Zero Waste journey at home/work/life? What are you looking to change? What do you wish you could change but don’t know where to start?