I like January. Even if we know monthly calendars are arbitrary yada yada yada, it feels good to use this month as an excuse to start something new. If that new thing is reducing your waste, I salute you. Getting started on the path to a less wasteful life is the hardest part and you’re no doubt looking for a jumping off point.
I’m flattered if you’re enjoying my crazy hippie ramblings. But I’m sure you’ve noticed that while I like discussing what it’s like to live zero waste, I don’t provide a comprehensive guide to how to do what I do. That’s because (a) it’s a little boring to write about and (b) there’s already so much good information out there that I’d just be repeating it here.
However, I don’t want to stand in the way of your zero waste journey. Here’s a comprehensive list of my favorite resources for zero waste tips, tricks, and huge lifestyle overhauls. I hope they help you as much as they helped me.
YouTube Channels
Let’s be real: internet attention span is fleeting at best. I am unashamed to admit that this whole mess started binge-watching Refinery29 videos, ending with “5 Days of Going Garbage Free“. So if you’re looking for quick, easy to consume how-tos for zero waste, start with these four channels:
Sustainably Vegan
Unlike The Girl Gone Green, I like Sustainably Vegan because because she makes me uncomfortable. While her attitude and voice are chill incarnate, she’s a fierce political activist, health junkie, and hard core zero waste vegan. Her videos range from simple how-tos to in-depth meal plans to passionate calls-to-action to overthrow the meat industry.
Shelbizzleeee
Kristen Leo
Unlike The Girl Gone Green and Sustainably Vegan, Kristen Leo’s channel doesn’t focus solely on zero waste habits. Instead, she focuses on ethical food and fashion, which both lead to reducing waste on a big picture level. She’s a great mentor if you’re trying to reduce your waste in ways that don’t intrude on your current lifestyle.
Snapshots of Simplicity
Snapshots of Simplicity doesn’t upload videos very often, but all her videos are mindful and minimalist. In addition to her quick how-tos, I appreciate her simple aesthetic, which reminds me that we are not our belongings.
Blogs
I know you’re willing to read blogs because…well, you’re reading this one. Once you’re ready to delve a little more thoroughly into reducing your waste, these gurus offer some awesome advice.
Going Zero Waste
LITTERLESS
I found Litterless early on in my research when I became zero waste. I originally began my zero waste journey in the Midwest and this blogger is from Chicago. It was easy to connect with a blogger struggling with the same issues as me, mostly brought on by our Midwest environment. However, she’s also appealing on an international level. Her amazing city guides give zero waste tips all over the country. Also included are how-to guides for everything from learning to shave with a safety razor to putting together a zero waste restaurant kit (which I have yet to do, but one day hope to perfect). Best of all, she’s honest about her struggles, which is always endearing when you’re doing something as difficult as zero waste.
Zero Waste Nerd
Megan is a realist. The zero waste community is full of idealists and it’s easy to get disenchanted once you’re crying over a pot of black beans that just won’t cook. Her blog, Zero Waste Nerd, spans from the very broad (i.e. How to reduce your waste at Wal-Mart) to the very specific (How to recycle bottle caps and other small pieces of metal). In my opinion, she has some of the best how-tos out there for every day living.
Books
Okay, please don’t click away from this blog because I mentioned reading something more than 1,000 words long.
Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson
Zero Waste Home is both the most thorough guide to zero waste living and is written by the woman responsible for the modern movement, Bea Johnson. So if you’re serious about getting into this lifestyle, she has your answers in one convenient Zero Waste Bible.
I hesitate to list this book because Bea Johnson is…intense. I don’t agree with all of her methods (i.e. donating your plastic stuff because just because plastic is bad for you) and worry that if this is the first thing you read other than my blog, you’ll get scared away from reducing your waste gradually–and I would argue naturally.
Therefore, treat this book like a rated R movie. Your zero waste self may be too young to view it. Only read Zero Waste Home once you’re ready to understand every granular thing about the lifestyle.
No Logo by Naomi Klein
Very rarely are two of my greatest obsessions addressed in a single work. Therefore, I have to admit I may be a little bit biased about No Logo.
Stay Curious
Deciding to reduce your waste in this society is an intimidating proposition. Never fear: the internet holds the answers to all your problems. Just kidding. But it does answer the zero waste ones. There truly is an amazing community of zero wasters sharing their struggles and solutions every day. If you’re looking to become a part of that community, welcome, good luck, and I’m here if you need me.