I was working on a zero waste project with my Mom the other day when she paused and said, “So you’re going to do this long term.” It wasn’t a question, more like voicing a realization. While my parents are always supportive, I’ve known that “can you really keep it up?” has been bouncing around the subtext of many a conversation in recent months.
I don’t blame them; my parents are pragmatists. But here’s one lesson that they’ve taught me that makes me all the more dedicated to my zero waste goals:
Habits are hard to form and hard to break.
As humans, we have the power to choose what habits we want…if we’re willing to work hard enough. Right now, I have the passion, the time, and the money to form zero waste habits that will last me the rest of my life. I am a single woman with no dependents in one job that expects me to work 35 hours a week and pays me enough to afford a zero waste lifestyle. That’s a lot of convenience. So why not take advantage of it?
A full-fledged zero waste lifestyle involves time-intensive tasks.
If your a pessimist, zero waste may seem impossible. Cooking from scratch, making your own products, cleaning, repairing what’s broken rather than buying new, and composting are just a few zero waste habits that can take up a lot of time. There’s a good chance that there will come a day when I won’t have the time for these things.
Luckily, some zero waste habits take no time at all.
Once you form the right habits and have the tools you need (reusable shopping bags, coffee mugs, etc.) there’s nothing keeping you from reducing your waste on a daily basis. Here are the low-maintenance zero waste habits that I plan to keep forever:
- Ask for no straw (This may or may not work, but at least you tried)
- Always have a handkerchief, washrag, or dishtowel on hand (especially at work–those bathroom paper towels rack up quick)
- Donate clothing and other stuff to resale shops or shelters
- Use reusable menstrual products (IUDs, menstrual cups)
- Bring reusable bags to the store
- Carry around a reusable drink container (coffee mug, refillable Big Gulp, mason jar)
- Tidy up on a regular basis before things get really dirty (and you have to either replace them or use non-green cleaning supplies to clean them)
- Buy bar soap
I truly believe that these are habits that anyone can form if they can afford the reusable items.
I can’t see the future.
If I one day have a dozen kids–or even just one–I probably won’t have the time to go as fully zero waste as I’m attempting right now (though it has been done). Maybe the immense fame I gather from these ranting blogs will attract boos and hisses from my devoted followers once I start to slack. Regardless, I’m not going to stop now just because I may stop someday.