Hey earth muffins! Zero waste living is a lifestyle that focuses on minimizing waste and promoting sustainability. While following the principles of zero waste living is important, I’ve made it clear that I will never be fully zero waste – and you shouldn’t expect yourself to be either! There are instances where it’s 10000% okay to bend the rules, even if you feel guilty about it for a bit. Here are some “rules” of zero waste living that are meant to be broken….
The Rules You Can Totally Break!
- Refuse all single-use items. One of the key principles of zero waste living is refusing single-use items like plastic straws. While it’s important to avoid these items whenever possible, there may be situations where using a disposable item is more practical or even necessary. For example, there are many situations where not all plastics are bad.
- Avoid packaged foods and/or shop only in bulk. While avoiding packaged foods is a goal for many zero wasters, it’s not always realistic/convenient. Depending on where you live, you might even have no bulk options! In cases where you need to buy packaged foods, focus on choosing products with minimal packaging or packaging that can be recycled or composted.
- Make everything yourself. Making your own cleaning products, beauty items, and other household essentials from scratch is a common practice in zero waste living. However, not everyone has the time, resources, or skills to do so. It’s okay to buy products (hopefully sustainable ones) too! The goal is to prioritize reducing waste overall, even if it means purchasing certain things.
- Travel zero waste. Zero waste travel can be challenging, especially when it comes to transportation and accommodation. While it’s important to be mindful of your environmental impact while traveling, it’s unrealistic to expect yourself to be fully zero waste. Give yourself grace and enjoy your travels while being as sustainable as you can be!
- Perfection. The zero waste lifestyle is a journey, not a destination. It’s important to remember that nobody is perfect – and that’s okay. It’s impractical to expect yourself or others to be 100% zero waste all the time. Every small step towards reducing waste counts; make sure to celebrate the small changes you make!
Conclusion
Zero waste living is about making conscious choices to reduce waste. Sometimes, breaking the “rules” of zero waste living is necessary or more practical! The key is to find a balance that aligns with your lifestyle, values, and circumstances while continuing to make efforts to minimize waste in the long run. How do you break the rules of sustainable living? Comment below your thoughts!
Love,
Jenna ♥
I love that your approach to everything is balanced. That makes being more environmentally conscious feel attainable.