Zero Waste Archives - Page 32 of 43 - Life of an Earth Muffin

How to Live Zero Waste 101 – My Top Tips!

Posted on June 8, 2021July 9, 2024

Hey earth muffins, happy World Ocean Day! 🐠 Back when I started my eco journey, I wrote a post about how to live a low waste lifestyle. Now that I’ve learned a lot from 3 years of “zero” waste living, I thought it would be fun to rewrite that post! There are so many ways to live sustainably; but, there are some things that are essential if you want to start an eco journey yourself. Today’s post will be a list of the top things you can do to live zero waste – let’s jump right into it!

1. Reduce, reuse, repair, compost, THEN recycle.

The planet can’t be saved by just recycling. The recycle system isn’t as great for the environment as people think it is… Which is why it is last in the “reduce, reuse, recycle” saying. If you are trying to live low waste, you should first reduce. Overconsumption is a huge issue, so reducing what you buy is much better. Then, you must reuse what you already have in your house. When things break down, repair them instead of purchasing again. Make your things last as long as possible! In terms of food waste and compostable materials, compost them instead of throwing in the trash. Then, as a last resort, recycle what is allowed in your community – don’t be a “wishcycler“!

2. Buy secondhand!

A great way to avoid plastic packaging and overconsumption is to buy secondhand. You will be purchasing goods that have already been created; this reduces the amount of resources used compared to buying a totally new item. There are many great secondhand options: thrift shops, antique stores, Facebook Marketplace, ebay, Craigslist, Freecycle, etc. You don’t need to buy everything secondhand to be low waste, but always look at secondhand options first!

A picture of the inside of a thrift store

3. Avoid all single use items.

This is probably the easiest tip to live zero waste. When you use up a single use item in your home (say cotton pads for example), make the swap to something more sustainable! I’ve made some bad eco swaps before, so don’t get discouraged if it takes some time to find the best eco-friendly swap that works for you! Here are some of my favorite eco swaps:

Single Use Item	Sustainable Swap!
Plastic razor	Metal safety razor
Shampoo bottle	Shampoo bar
Ziploc bag	Mason jar
Tampons/pads	Menstrual cup
Plastic bags	Reusable bags!

4. Be conscious of how you travel.

Another way to live zero waste is to be conscious of your methods of transportation each day. Instead of driving everywhere, walk or bike when possible. If you are able to work remotely sometimes, take advantage of working from home! 😊 In terms of traveling for vacations, try to choose a more sustainable option if possible. Trains and cars have a lower carbon footprint than flying, so consider those options when you are making plans.

5. Save water and energy as much as possible!

There are many opportunities to save water once you make the effort. Instead of washing your dishes by hand, use a dishwasher (which actually saves more water than you think!). Reduce the length of your shower. Turn off the faucet when you are brushing your teeth. It all makes a difference! In terms of energy, make it a habit to turn off the lights when you leave a room. Another great way to save energy is to use natural light whenever possible. Do you really need to keep the lights on in the afternoon when the sun is shining into your room? Probably not!

6. Reduce or stop eating meat.

As many of you know, I live zero waste by being a vegetarian. It has been almost two years of a meatless diet, and I absolutely love it! If you don’t want to quit cold turkey, then start by implementing Meatless Mondays into your meal plan each week. This gives you a great opportunity to try out some vegetarian options all the while reducing your impact on Mother Earth. A win-win!

How to live zero waste pinterest pin — Pin now to read later!

Final Thoughts

Living low waste is awesome for both you and the planet. There are so many tips and tricks for living this lifestyle, so I hope these top tips can inspire you to make some easy changes to your daily routine. If you want to learn more about zero waste living, I’d love you to follow and stick around! The earth muffin family is a fun place to be, and I’ll be sharing a lot of great content around sustainable living. 😀 What have you been doing recently to reduce your impact?

Love,
Jenna ♥

How Do Sustainability Scores Compare Amongst 7 Trendy Fashion Brands??

Posted on June 3, 2021January 16, 2024

Hey earth muffins! For today’s post, I thought it would be interesting to discuss something I don’t particularly care about: trendy fashion brands. Many popular, fast fashion clothing companies are not eco-friendly. Personally, I shop for my clothes secondhand; you can find amazing thrifted pieces if you know what to look for! I thought it would be interesting to take 7 different “trendy” brands and compare their fashion sustainability scores. These scores are from Good on You (one of my favorite sustainability apps!) and Remake. Let’s jump right into it!

A picture of a woman in a red dress carrying an H&M fashion bag

I’ll admit it – I was a sucker for Forever 21 back in the day. I could buy a lot with little money… Which ironically I can now do at the thrift store. 😅 Their Good on You ranking is the lowest on the scale: “We Avoid”. This is due to the fact that they don’t share their environmental policies. While they minimize animal cruelty by not using furs, the labor practices are also not transparent. Remake also mentions that they often rip off designers as well. Definitely not a brand I am looking to support any time soon!

Ah, the infamous H&M greenwashing. I feel like this brand has been getting a ton of heat recently about their “conscious” line and who they have selected as brand ambassadors. I’ve called out H&M before in my “What is Greenwashing” post; but, at least they are trying to make some changes as a fast fashion company. The company uses some eco-friendly materials, discloses many of their labor policies, and has an animal welfare policy that is aligned with Five Freedoms. I’m curious to see how this brand continues to up its fashion sustainability scores in the future!

I feel like in many of the YouTube videos I watch, Urban is mentioned at some point. While I commend them for using reusable bags instead of plastic, they still have a ways to go. It ranks poorly in all the Planet, People, and Animal categories. This makes their sustainability score pretty low overall. I definitely wish a more eco-friendly company would be considered as “trendy” as Urban!

Many influencers also seem to be obsessed with Princess Polly, but their ratings are not good. Just like Forever 21, the company doesn’t do a good job sharing their environmental or labor policies. While Remake mentions that they do have some ethical manufacturing goals, they are all focused on the future with little to no steps on how to get there. Plus, they charge a higher price to hurt the planet; it’s a no from me!

While the vibe of PacSun reminds me of surfing and the great outdoors, it doesn’t seem like this company actually cares about Mother Earth. Good on You gives them a 1 out of 5 in the Planet category; there is absolutely no transparency when it comes to their environmental policies. I think I’ll take my sunshine elsewhere…

While the Madewell Eco Denim collection scores an incredible 63/100 points on the Remake sustainability scale, the overall brands gets a 29. 😖Yikes. Sounds like we definitely need those tips for identifying greenwashing! Good on You gives them a 2/5 for each of their categories, so it looks like there can (and should) be a lot of improvement!

You think I could forget about Nike? No way! While they use some recycled materials and have a Manufacturing Map to share where your products are made, it still scores a 38/100 on Remake. There are still some gaps in terms of transparency and sustainability, which makes its fashion sustainability scores low. With such an iconic brand, it is a shame they don’t use all of their money to reduce their impact on Mother Earth!

Fashion Sustainability Scores: Final Thoughts!

In our final tally, it looks like we have 2 brands in the “We Avoid” rank, 3 in “Not Good Enough”, and 2 in “It’s a Start”. While I am happy that a couple brands are starting to making changes, it is eye-opening that not one “trendy” popular brand could pass the “It’s a Start” ranking. When I was thinking about what brands to pick for this post, I tried to create a list of companies that others are talking about. I know I definitely missed a bunch of “trendy” brands (like Lululemon, etc.)… So, I might just have to do another post like this in the future! This might find some gem companies that are truly trying to lower their impact… But I personally wouldn’t put my money on it. 😕 I’ve said it before; and, I’ll say it again – SHOP SECONDHAND!

Love,
Jenna ♥

Easy Ways to Get Others Involved in Your Eco Journey!

Posted on June 1, 2021July 9, 2024

Hey earth muffins! If you have been following this blog (which I hope you are!), I have faith it has helped you on your eco journey. When I started my quest towards low waste living a few years ago, I wanted to impact others to join me. While it is a proven fact that every small change makes a difference, it is important for others to still get on the green bandwagon as well. You might ask yourself this question: how do I get others to join me? Today, I want to share some easy ways to get others involved in your eco journey!

A picture of a hand holding a globe of the earth

Slip your new habits/swaps into conversation.

Try talking about your eco journey with family and friends! Examples of this could be bringing up some environmental news you heard about or talking about a recent swap you made. But, it is SO important that you don’t do this in an annoying way! We all know that one person who started a new hobby, etc. and won’t stop talking about it. If you talk about your eco ideals constantly, you will be less likely to get others involved. But, it is awesome to share the word and chat about green living.

Lead by example!

If you are uncomfortable bringing up your eco journey yourself, try leading by example. Many people will notice if you start doing a certain thing (ex. using reusable bags) and might ask you about it. Then, you can easily chat about your new habits! Plus, in my three years of low waste living, I have noticed that you can impact those around you. Your choices can influence others by giving them motivation to make the change too. If you start to compost, others in your close circle might decide to start too!

A picture of a girl holding trash on the beach

Give gifts that are eco-friendly.

While you might be able to discuss some of your favorite eco products in conversation, a great way to almost “force” someone to try an eco alternative is to give them a sustainable gift. This is a sure-fire way to get others involved… And they might become a huge fan of the product too! When shopping for someone, think about a gift they would want. Then, purchase them the eco product you use or do research to find the best alternative product. After they open the gift, make a big deal about the raving reviews… And add in a small plug that it is sustainable too! This is a great way to get anyone to try an eco swap, even if they are hesitant to do so.

Share about your sustainable journey on social media!

If you want, you can totally become an eco influencer. 😃 Who knows, you might make my list of the top sustainability influencers! Even if you don’t go so far as to create a sustainability account, sharing about your eco journey on social media is an excellent way to get others involved with you. Social media (especially with a public account) is very powerful because it can reach a lot of people… So, try your hand at getting those in your network to see all the benefits of a low waste lifestyle!

Get involved in your community.

A great way to get others involved is to get involved yourself! If you are going to a climate march or river cleanup, invite your friends. Even if they aren’t into the eco movement, you might be surprised that they would be more than willing to attend with you. Once at the event, they could be inspired to join you on your eco journey! Hooray – one more earth muffin!

Overall Thoughts on Ways to Get Others Involved

There are many ways you can get those around you to join the eco movement. One of the easiest ways is to talk about what you have learned. From recommending eco products and books to sharing some easy swaps, a good conversation can go a long way. You might even be able to have a larger impact if you do these chats on social media! It is also important to lead by example too – people do take notice of things! Overall, it is important to share your eco journey with others. We want the earth muffin community to grow, right??! 🙃

Love,
Jenna ♥

What I Love About my Knit Nuzzie Weighted Blanket: A Review

Posted on May 27, 2021November 14, 2021

Hey earth muffins! Last month I shared a review on the Bearaby Tree Napper weighted blanket. After posting that, I found a company called Nuzzie that also makes knit weighted blankets… My boyfriend had been jealous of my weighted blanket, so I got him a Nuzzie for us both to try out! 😊 Weighted blankets are awesome because they have a bunch of benefits. From reducing stress hormones to helping you get a better night’s sleep, what’s not to love? Let’s jump right into my Nuzzie weighted blanket review!

A picture of a Nuzzie knit weighted blanket on a couch

What I Love About My Nuzzie

First off, I love that this blanket is made from weighted yarn that is OEKO-TEX certified. The OEKO-TEX certification allows consumers to identify products that are more sustainable than others on the market. On top of this, the blanket is super soft to the touch! I absolutely love when things are soft, as it makes it feel even more cozy. I’ve definitely purchased clothes based on touch before… 😬 But there is nothing wrong with that!

The weight of this blanket is great as well. My boyfriend and I picked out the 15 pound, knit blanket. It is recommended that your weighted blanket is about 10% your body weight, and we haven’t found that the blanket is too heavy. The knit weave of the blanket is also great because it allows for a cooling effect – no sweaty nights in bed! We also noticed that the weight is distributed evenly throughout the weighted yarn.

A close up of the weighted yarn in the Nuzzie knit weighted blanket

If you want to match your weighted blanket to your bedroom, you are in luck! This Nuzzie weighted blanket review would be incomplete if I didn’t mention the color range. There are 7 different colors of these knit blankets ranging from red to white to gray (like the one we picked). It is always great to have some options when buying a blanket that will last many years. In addition, this is helpful if someone is prone to spilling things when they are relaxing in bed… We decided to buy a darker color for just that reason. 😅

Lastly, I obviously need to mention that the Nuzzie helps with my anxiety. I am pretty new to the weighted blanket space, but I’m amazed that a blanket can help with reducing my stress. I’ve always been an anxious person; I tend to wake up in the morning with my mind racing with work to-dos. After using a weighted blanket, my mind isn’t racing as much in the mornings. Such an awesome pro to this product!

What I Dislike about my Nuzzie

A picture of a Nuzzie knit weighted blanket when it arrived, vacuumed sealed in a box

The biggest thing that disappointed me was how the Nuzzie was packaged. The website advertises it as a “sustainable” product. But, it came in a crap ton of packaging. It was vacuum sealed in not one but two plastic bags, put into a cardboard box that was taped up with a bunch of plastic tape, and then put into a second cardboard box before it arrived at my door. Compared to the Bearaby weighted blanket, this was a ton more wasteful packaging. Is the website greenwashing the fact that the product is sustainable? Maybe (but maybe not)… I can understand vacuum sealing if it reduces the impact while shipping, but their website doesn’t really explain their sustainable claims. Overall, I was just disappointed that a product I thought was sustainable wasn’t actually as sustainable as it was claimed to be.

I also have to mention price in this Nuzzie weighted blanket review. As I say in many of my sustainable product reviews, it is pricier than the average product. A full sized, 15 pound blanket will cost you $225. This is cheaper than the Bearaby blanket, but I would definitely still classify it as “pricey”. Plus, I think this blanket is slightly less expensive than the Bearaby because it isn’t as sustainable as Bearaby is… Overall, it is important to realize that “sustainable” products are often more expensive than others in the market.

Conclusion: Nuzzie Weighted Blanket Review

Overall, I would highly recommend getting yourself some sort of weighted blanket. I’ve found that they are super helpful in reducing my stressors at night! The Nuzzie is super soft to the touch and has good weight distribution. Plus, there are a ton of different colors to choose from. While it was disappointing in terms of packaging, I think it is still an option for those looking to purchase a weighted blanket in the future. Have you gotten a weighted blanket yet?

Love,
Jenna ♥

How to Celebrate a Zero Waste Birthday!

Posted on May 25, 2021July 10, 2024

Hey earth muffins! I recently posted about the 5 things I am glad I did before turning 24… As my birthday month comes to a close, I thought I should write a post about celebrating a sustainable birthday. It seems that for every major holiday I share my tips with you all, and, honestly, your birthday is one of the biggest days of the year! So, it is crucial to make sure you still treat the planet right on your special day. 🎂 Here are some of my favorite tips for celebrating an awesome, zero waste birthday!

A picture of a girl sitting on a table in front of Happy Birthday balloons

Use secondhand and/or reusable decorations.

Birthday parties create a lot of unneccesary waste. From streamers to balloons, most people toss everything into the trash after the celebration is over. But, it doesn’t have to be that way! I suggest checking your local thrift stores (and Facebook Marketplace) for secondhand birthday items. You might even find some brand new items that were extras from another party in the area! If your secondhand options are limited, be conscious about your decorations. Instead of helium balloons, purchase foil balloons. These are blown up with a straw and can be deflated and reused for years to come (peep my reusable birthday balloons (affiliate link) in the photo above!). Use streamers that can either be recycled or rolled back up after the festivities die down. Having one set of birthday items allows you to use them for other birthday celebrations too!

Request experiences or eco-friendly gifts!

If your loved ones ask for gift suggestions near your birthday, tell them that you would rather be gifted an experience instead! These are better for making memories anyway; plus, they save from having to use pesky wrapping paper. If your family or friends must get you a present, give them a list of some eco-friendly products that are on your wishlist. Also recommend that they use sustainable wrapping methods. This can be reused packing materials, reusable cloth wrapping paper, or even delivering an e-gift card. A perfect zero waste birthday tip!

A picture of reusable cloth that can be used as gift wrap

Support local bakeries or bake a cake from scratch. 🥳

Having some sort of cake on your birthday is a must. Support local and buy a cake from a bakery in your area! This prevents you from buying a cake at a grocery store that is often heavily wrapped in plastic packaging. It also supports a local business during these challenging times. If you are wanting to be even more sustainable, try baking your own cake from ingredients sourced from bulk bins or eco-friendly packaging. For those who aren’t cake lovers, you can opt for cupcakes and use reusable silicone liners like the ones I recently purchased (affiliate link). Such a great way to be green in the kitchen!

Use plastic-free candles and a rechargeable USB lighter!

I recently wrote a post comparing soy and paraffin wax candles. When it comes to a birthday, you can’t have cake without singing and candles. But, many birthday candles contain paraffin wax and plastics. Probably not the best when it drips on the cake you are about to eat! To make your zero waste birthday extra special, buy some plastic-free and/or soy wax candles for your tasty cake. And, use a rechargeable USB lighter (like one from the USB Lighter Company) to light them up. These lighters are awesome because they can never run out of lighter fluid! 🎉

Conclusion

There are so many ways to make your birthday awesome AND sustainable. I personally think thrifting decorations is my favorite tip because you can find so many funky things secondhand. This is perfect for themed parties too once Mister Corona decides to leave us all alone! Instead of wrapped gifts, opt for experiences or e-gift cards. Support local and use eco-friendly candles/a lighter when it comes to your birthday cake. As long as you are thinking about how your birthday is impacting Mother Earth (and then acting in an eco-friendly way), your birthday is going to amazing! 🥳

Love,
Jenna ♥

Myths about Thrifting Compared to Antique: Why is There a Double Standard?

Posted on May 20, 2021June 18, 2024

Hey earth muffins! For today’s post, I wanted to discuss something I’ve noticed after making a switch to secondhand shopping. The term “secondhand shopping” encompasses a lot of difference options: thrift stores, antique shops, vintage stores, Facebook Marketplace, yard sales… the list goes on. After starting my eco journey, I’ve fallen in love with buying used. It is always a hunt and is so rewarding when you find awesome pieces! But, I’ve noticed that for some secondhand options (like thrifting) there are more stereotypes compared to others. For today’s post, I will be debunking some myths about thrifting compared to those about antiques… Hopefully this reduces some judgement around thrift shopping. 😊

What is “thrifting” and “antiquing”?

According to definition.com, “thrifting refers to the act of shopping at a thrift store, flea market, garage sale, or a shop of a charitable organization, usually with the intent of finding interesting items at a low price”. This includes stores like Salvation Army (my favorite), Goodwill, and other local shops. On the flip side, “antiquing is the act of shopping, identifying, negotiating, or bargaining for antiques”. While antiques are filled with secondhand items too, antique stores are often viewed as “better” than thrift stores. For the rest of the post, I will be debunking myths that create this double standard for thrift stores in the secondhand space… Let’s get right into myth #1!

Myth #1: Thrifting is dirty and gross; antiquing is not.

In all actuality, all secondhand items in my opinion are “dirty”, so this shouldn’t be one of the myths about thrifting. I’m not saying this to deter you from shopping used; but it makes sense to clean all secondhand purchases before using because, frankly, you just don’t know where those items have been. But, you’d be surprised how “dirty” new items are too! When looking at thrift stores versus antiques, it is weird to me that thrift shops get seen in a bad light. I think people consider them dirty because poorer people might shop there, and the stores aren’t as put together as malls or fast fashion boutiques. In comparison, antique shops are full of dusty items that are often decades older! For me, I don’t consider either as “dirty”; just wash your hands and clean/wash the items you find!

Myth #2: Antiquing is expensive; thrifting is cheap.

A lot of rich people have antiques or collect them. But, that doesn’t necessarily mean that all antiques are more expensive than things found at a thrift store. This obviously depends on the item and the store location. I’ve seen plenty of kitchen items being priced much cheaper at antique malls compared to Goodwill. On the flip side, clothes are almost always cheaper at a thrift store. It really just depends what you are looking for! In the secondhand market, when an item gets labeled as “antique” or “vintage” this does often increases the price. But, I don’t think it is fair to say that all thrifting is “cheap”.

Myth #3: Thrifting isn’t trendy!

One of the worst myths about thrifting is that it can’t be trendy; but, that is totally not the case! I’ve written a whole post about how thrifted pieces can be in style and how to find the best pieces when thrifting. In comparison, it seems like antiquing is something that is accepted by society. The response from people that you are going “thrifting” versus “antiquing” is often very different. However, with the rise of the eco movement, all forms of secondhand shopping are starting to become more “trendy”. YAY! Online thrift options like ThredUp seem to be helping this as well, as you don’t have to dig through clothes or sort through racks if you don’t want to anymore. I am hoping this continues to become a trend, so that more folks will opt for sustainable shopping and purchase secondhand!

Myth #4: You are hurting poor people if you thrift.

This is another large stereotype about secondhand shopping. When I tell people that I thrift, some question if I should be shopping at thrift stores at all (is it unethical??). Their logic is that I am taking clothes (or other items) away from people who really need it. This is a valid point; but, people don’t realize that thrift stores often get too many donations and have to either throw things away or give them to other organizations to sell. Plus, when buying at thrift stores, you are often supporting a cause that will help those in your community. This is not to say that you can’t hurt poorer people by shopping in thrift stores. If you are a reseller and buy up every single “good” piece of clothing, this obviously isn’t great for the other shoppers. But, if you are a respectful consumer at thrift stores and buy only what you need, you are not hurting the poor in your community. Buying what you need is also the sustainable way to shop, so keep this in mind always!

Thrifting vs. antiquing: debunking common myths pinterest pin — Pin now to read later!

Conclusion

Overall, there are a ton of myths about thrifting compared to antiquing. I personally think it is crazy that there are so many opinions and judgments about the different types of secondhand shopping! Buying used is always the best option for us earth muffins, so it shouldn’t matter if you shop thrifted or antique. Just like with anything, I would recommend cleaning your purchases before bringing them into your house. Price depends on the location and item purchased; don’t think everything at a thrift store is a good deal! Lastly, all forms of secondhand shopping can be trendy – I personally know that it is trendy to save Mother Earth! Don’t you all agree?

Love,
Jenna ♥

Which is Better: Soy vs. Paraffin Wax Candles?

Posted on May 18, 2021November 14, 2021

Hey earth muffins! Today I wanted to talk about candles. I am personally a huge fan of lighting them to set a relaxing vibe; now that I am out of student housing, I am finally able to burn the candles I have been collecting throughout the years. When starting my eco journey, I was surprised to see candles as a topic in some zero waste books. While candles may not seem like a big deal, they do have an impact on Mother Earth! In terms of sustainability, which is better? Let’s jump right into a discussion on soy vs. paraffin wax!

A picture of a lit three wick candle, sitting on top of a wooden tray

Soy wax is made of a more sustainable material.

Before we can discuss the pros and cons of these candle waxes, you might be curious as to what exactly soy wax and paraffin wax are. A typical candle (that is unmarked) is usually made from paraffin wax. This type of wax is petroleum based and created using crude oil. As crude oil is a fossil fuel, this obviously isn’t the best for the environment. On top of that, the oil extracted needs to be refined before it can be turned into a candle. This adds more insult to the earth. In comparison, soy wax is derived from the soybean. While growing soybeans (and then having to process them) does have an impact, it is not nearly as much as paraffin wax.

Paraffin wax can release dangerous chemicals as it burns.

The next topic in this soy vs. paraffin wax discussion is the health of burning these candles. Obviously “soot” is released when you burn any type of candle. But, did you know that some paraffin candles give off benzene, a carcinogen? They can also release other harmful emissions into your home that can affect air quality… But, these amounts are minimal so they shouldn’t impact you negatively. On the flip side, it has also been proven that soy wax candles can also emit things when burning. Because many farmers use pesticides when growing soybeans, low amounts of these chemicals can be released into the air if the soybean oil wasn’t filtered properly.

Soy wax candles burn longer.

If you want your favorite scent to last longer, I suggest buying soy wax candles. When lit, they burn slower which allows them to last longer than paraffin wax. If you don’t own one already, I suggest buying some sort of rechargeable lighter to light your candles with (affiliate link). I have one from the USB Lighter Company that I absolutely love! It is a staple for lighting all of my soy candles, and it is a great eco-friendly product that won’t cost you a lot.

Paraffin wax (typically) has a better scent throw.

While this does depend on the candle, I have found that paraffin wax candles typically have stronger scents and are able to throw that scent better when lit. I’m not an expert on the science behind this, but it has to do with the fact that soy wax is denser than paraffin. Because of this, a soy wax candle requires more heat to burn… Which delays the releasing of scent into the room. As paraffin wax burns easily, it throws the scent better. I personally actually like this about soy wax candles; I get headaches if scents are too strong, so I like a less “intense” scent in the room. 😊 But, if you are looking for a soy vs. paraffin wax candle that has the best throw, paraffin wax might be for you!

Conclusion to the Soy vs. Paraffin Wax Debate

Personally, I always opt for 100% soy wax candles. I can’t get over the fact that paraffin wax is extracted from crude oil… 😖 Why chose that when you can opt for a more eco-friendly option? While both types of candles can emit things into the air, I don’t burn them enough in my apartment for it to have a negative effect on my health. I love that my soy candles burn longer and throw less scent – perfect for my candle preferences. Overall, I suggest choosing the candle wax that works best for you! Some (including many from Bath & Body Works) are even a mix of the two waxes for the best of both worlds. What type of wax is your favorite?

Love,
Jenna ♥

The Amazing Things I’ve Learned 3 Years into Zero Waste!

Posted on May 13, 2021June 9, 2024

Hey earth muffins! It has been about three whole years since I started my eco journey – wow, time sure does fly by! After I hit the one year mark, I wrote a post all about what I learned living low waste. Now that I have three years under my belt, I thought it would be fun to share some of the top things I have learned since I wrote that post. Everyone’s eco journey is different. Whether you make small changes or big ones, you are still making a difference on Mother Earth… 🌎 Plus, you will learn a lot about yourself and sustainable living. Let’s jump right into the things I’ve learned!

Living low waste looks nothing like it does on Pinterest.

A picture of a cupboard full of mason jars

If you type in “zero waste” or “sustainable living” on Pinterest, your page will be full of aesthetic photos sharing the “ideal” zero waste lifestyle. Bamboo toothbrushes, bar products, gorgeous matching mason jars… It is simply not what you should be striving for. And definitely not what your eco-friendly life will end up looking like! Being sustainable means using what you have: lots of colorful rags instead of paper towels, old plastic containers for storage, tons of mismatched jars for food storage (just see my mason jar cupboard above!). Sure, there will be some aspects of your life that look like those stock photos; but, it is important to realize that the perfect zero waste lifestyle doesn’t actually exist. After realizing that, I decided that Life of an Earth Muffin will never be a zero waste blog because I didn’t want to be another online source showing the “perfect picture”. Once you learn that, there is much less pressure to achieve a home that looks low waste. In my opinion, it is much more important to be eco-conscious instead of trying to fit in with the Pinterest aesthetic of sustainable living.

Every small swap counts!

Things I’ve learned during these three years can really be summed up by this: every swap makes an impact. Some people I talk to are hesitant to try eco-friendly living because they don’t think it will make a difference. Even worse, others use this as an excuse to not try at all. Once you start making eco swaps, it is pretty obvious that they do have an impact. A great example of this is when I started composting this year. Seeing how much food goes in the compost bin instead of the landfill shows me first hand that my choices make a difference! Plus, making small changes helps you lead by example. This can convince others around you to start making eco changes too.

Someone is going to judge you.

This lesson learned can apply to everything in your life, regardless if it relates to sustainability. No matter what you do, someone is going to have a different opinion about it. This can lead to judgement, so be prepared for it! When people see you doing something differently, they might question you. However, if you explain why you are making the change in your life, they might realize that they should make the change too! Often the judgement stems from not understanding the eco issues in the world; you will be surprised how many people start making changes after they learn (I know I did after reading No Impact Man in 2018)!

A picture of a protest with a hand holding a sign that says "Be the change you want to see in this world"

Once you start living low waste, it is easier to consume less.

Believe it or not, I used to love shopping. The mall was one of my favorite places to spend some money. But, now I prefer antique malls and thrift shops. When I started my eco journey I thought that reducing my consumption would be difficult. But, once you learn about greenwashing and how advertising manipulates your mind to purchase things you don’t need, it is honestly pretty easy to give companies the “f*** you” and stop buying things. These days we all over consume goods; it is quite rewarding to only consume what you need.

I’m the happiest I’ve ever been!

When I started my eco journey in 2018, I was happy. But looking back at these three years, I realize that I’ve grown to have an even happier life now that I live low waste. I think this has to do with reducing the things I don’t need, which has allowed me to spend my time on the things I care about most. Everyone always says there isn’t enough time in the day… But, if you simplify your life, I’ve found that I have all the time I need. My mind also feels lighter in a way, because I can focus my thoughts on things like blogging and cooking a nice dinner instead of thinking about the upcoming fashion trends or running to Target to look through their latest holiday decorations (which I used to do a lot haha).

Things I’ve Learned Wrap Up

I’ve learned a lot these past few years. Starting an eco journey forced me to pay attention to important issues impacting Mother Earth. Not only that, the changes I made have resulted in living a much simpler, happier life. Low waste living looks like a lot of things – there is no right answer! Whether you decide to make small swaps or a few big ones, those actions will still impact the planet (and be an example to those around you). Ignore judgement and be the earth muffin I know you are… We can do it! 😊

Love,
Jenna ♥