Category: Zero Waste

bookmark_borderHow to Have an Eco-Friendly, “Green” Move

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Hey earth muffins! As many of you know, I am currently in the process of moving across the state. My boyfriend and I are (finally) moving in together! 😍 I will officially be moving out of my Ann Arbor apartment this weekend, so this week has been full of packing. All of this moving excitement has inspired me, so I wanted to write a post today all about how you can have an eco-friendly move. This fits perfectly with the spirit of Plastic Free July!

A picture of an apartment with moving boxes in the living room

Tips for Staying Green When Packing

The number one thing I would recommend is to use boxes you already have. I was lucky enough to have a lot of extra closet space in my current apartment (as well as a storage bin in the basement of the complex); when I moved in last summer, I just kept all of the boxes! If you end up collecting more things throughout the year, I suggest saving the boxes from anything you get in the mail. You can also ask family and friends to save some boxes for you!

If you have to buy extra boxes or other packing materials, try to buy those that can be recycled. Many cardboard boxes can easily be recyled, but plastic tapes and bubble wrap are difficult to recycle. I suggest avoiding all plastic altogether – utilize clothing and linens you need to pack anyway to cushion fragile items! Not only is it more eco-friendly but it also saves space in your packing. 🙂 In terms of tape, there are actually paper tapes you can buy instead of the plastic ones. I personally don’t even use tape to close my boxes, but I would definitely check out the paper options!

A stack of moving boxes

As you pack, declutter!! When will you be going through everything you own again in the near future? It is the perfect opportunity to minimalize and downsize your possessions. But, make sure the items you don’t want anymore are reused in some way: sell them on Facebook Marketplace, donate to your local thrift store, or give to those who need them in your community.

How to Stay Eco-Friendly During the Actual Move

Make sure you take EVERYTHING with you from your old place! It is a common practice in a college town like Ann Arbor for students to just leave everything (even furniture) and buy new at the next place. This is, obviously, terrible for the planet. 🌎 Even if something is a hassle to move, still take it with you! Because you own it, you are responsible for its lifecycle. This also goes for little things: clean your shower rings, save your wall decals, keep the nails you remove from the walls, etc. These will have a use in your new place! 😀

Lastly, try to reduce your trips going back and forth to the new place. Because I am literally moving across the whole state, I hired movers to ensure I would only have to move once. Not only do I drive a tiny Kia Soul, but I will be lugging a queen mattress too – so movers were a must! Taking trips back and forth might seem more budget friendly, but I encourage you to borrow a friend’s van or something to reduce the trips you take!

A picture out of the front window of a moving van, showing the highway in front of the driver

Wish me luck on the move this weekend, I can’t wait to update you all on my new place. 🎉 What do you do to reduce waste when you are moving?

A picture of a stack of moving boxes with the words "how to be green when moving" over top
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Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderEasy Sustainable Swaps to Make this Plastic Free July

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Hey earth muffins, I hope everyone has been enjoying the first half of Plastic Free July! It is crazy to think that the challenge is almost 50% over; but don’t worry, that is plenty of time to continue your sustainable journey! 😊 When I became passionate about reducing my impact on the planet, I often got asked what sustainable swaps are “easiest” to make first. As many of you may be starting your own adventure towards living low-waste, I thought I would share the best (and budget-friendly) switches you can make today!

3 Sustainable Swaps Everyone Should Make!

~Buy yourself a safety razor! I cannot recommend one enough. You will save money in the long term by avoiding the need to purchase another razor; plus, you will prevent a ton of disposables from ending up in the landfill. They are easy to use and give such a nice shave! The razor blades can last for quite some time, and you can buy a pack of 100 for only $7.

A picture of a metal safety razor
I bought this razor two years ago and I still LOVE it!

~Invest in some reusable produce bags. I feel like most people come across reusable bags from college events, conferences, etc. but it is nifty to have some for produce or bulk bin shopping. They are cheap, can be thrown in the washing machine, and save you from using those single use plastic bags at the grocery store. 🎉 Click on the images below to check out my favorites!

~Switch to bar bathroom products! I’ve raved about why I use bars over bottles in the past, and I will continue to do so to avoid the plastic that comes with many bath products. It is easy to find bar products now: homemade soaps at the farmer’s market, shampoo bars from Lush or on Amazon, even specialty websites like Ethique! Make sure you use up your plastic bottles before switching.

A picture of a soap container, a great sustainable swap to keep your bars dry
Make sure to protect your bars with a nice soap container like the one I use!

2 Easy Swaps You Can Make!

~Buy reusable cotton swabs. I don’t use Q-tips to clean my ears (I prefer either using water or a metal ear pick). But, I have an acne cream that has to be applied with a cotton swab. I decided to purchase a set of reusable cotton swabs to ensure I wasn’t creating any excess waste! My skin is quite prone to break outs if I’m not careful; I definitely wasn’t about to give up the cream that works! Check out companies like Last Swab or knock off Amazon versions (which do tend to be cheaper!).

A picture of a container with two reusable cotton swabs inside
I bought this one for only $5! 😃

~Find an alternative to saran wrap! I got a comment regarding replacement options for plastic wrap on my post about what to do with old plastics in your home. There are quite a few easy sustainable swaps you can make. My faves are beeswax wrap, silicone covers, reusable Ziploc bags, and reusing containers you already have! If you are interested in any of these, click on the picture below to learn more 🙃

All in all, there are SO many easy sustainable swaps you can make during Plastic Free July! 😁 These were some of the first ones I made, so I highly recommend. I also featured some other swaps on my Instagram account; make sure to check that out as well! What are you doing to stay sustainable this Plastic Free July?

A picture of 5 easy sustainable swaps everyone should make
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Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderWhat To Do With Old Plastic Already in Your Home

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Hey muffins, Happy Plastic Free July! 😁 I cannot believe that this is already my third year participating in the challenge. This year I will actively post on this blog AND post every single week-day on my Instagram. Make sure to follow me to never miss any of the challenge content! While I shared a waste audit last year after the challenge came to an end, I don’t think I will be able to do so this year; I am moving mid-July which will ultimately result in me using more plastic than I would like… So, it seems kinda silly to collect it all and add to the chaos of moving across the state. Regardless of what I am doing, I challenge you all to try to collect all of the new plastic you use this month! 🥰 To kickoff this challenge I would like to discuss “old plastic” that you have in your home.

A picture of the Plastic Free July challenge logo

When making the decision to live more sustainably, there is a huge probability that there are already plastics in your house. Even if you have been doing little things to reduce your plastic consumption, there is no doubt that there will still be plastics around. So, what are you supposed to do with them when you decide to go plastic-free, zero waste, or “green”??? Here are my suggestions for dealing with old plastic that is already in your home!

1. Use Up Your Old (Single Use) Plastic!

After I made the decision to reduce my plastic consumption, the plastics I had in my apartment at the time stuck out: Saran wrap, Ziploc bags, plastic bags, food packaging, etc. It would be foolish to just throw all of this away! So, do what you would normally do and use it up. Eat those potato chips, use those bags for lunches. If you are able, try finding second uses for something that is “single use”. Reuse the Saran wrap or Ziploc bags or use plastic grocery bags for the bathroom trash. The important thing to remember this: when the plastic has been used up, find a new sustainable alternative that is plastic-free!

2. Recycle Them Properly!

A picture of a bag with a recycle symbol on it

As your plastic products start to dwindle, make sure to do your research. Disposing of it in the most eco-friendly way possible is a great step for Plastic Free July! Recycling, while not the best solution, is a great option for certain plastics. It is important to check your local recycling center’s guidelines on what plastics they will accept. There are also other ways to get rid of your used-up plastics including programs like TerraCycle. Even if you don’t think something can be reused, I suggest Googling it before chucking it in the trash! I was surprised to learn that some companies like Crayola even take back used up markers and pens. If you are unable to recycle or send back to a company, I suggest trying to find a new use for it in your home. This will still prevent it from sitting in a landfill for thousands of years! 🌎

3. Keep Old Plastic and Use it!

If something is durable and will last a long time, then keep it even though it is plastic. What good is being “zero waste” if you just add to the waste of a landfill by throwing out everything that isn’t “sustainable”? I have plenty of plastic still in my apartment from my travel toiletry bag to the hairbrush I bought five years ago. I am hopeful that they will last for many more years before I dispose of them properly.

In summary, it is important to utilize the resources you have already consumed. Whether you are trying to reduce your plastic or are on a journey towards living low waste (like me!), reusing what you already have should be the number one priority. Don’t buy sustainable products just because you want the aesthetic of an environmentally friendly home; a few pieces that have been reused for a long period of time is more helpful to Mother Earth! Will you be participating in Plastic Free July this year??

A picture of household plastics with the caption What You Should Do With Plastics After Going Zero Waste
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Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderWhat Natural Deodorant Should You Use? Baking Soda, Charcoal, Zinc, oh my!

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Hey muffins! Back when I was just starting my sustainable journey, I remember looking at natural deodorants for the first time… And being SO confused as to which kind would be the best place to start. There are many different types of natural deodorants to use: magnesium, zinc, baking soda, and activated charcoal: which one should you start with? Thanks to Pretty Frank, I will be sharing my thoughts on this topic today! I have worked with this company numerous times in the past, and they were kind enough to send me trial size versions of each type of deodorant to try them out for you all.

What Natural Deodorant to Use? -The Evaluation Criteria

For each type, I will be answering these questions:
Question 1. Why choose this type over other natural deodorants?
Question 2. How does it apply to the underarms?
Question 3. How long does it last? Does it actually work? (Note: as these are natural deodorants, they are made to prevent smell NOT sweat. Read all about this in my armpit detox post if you are confused!)
Question 4. How does the armpit feel after use?

Activated Charcoal Deodorant in Seaside

A picture of activated charcoal natural deodorant

Question 1: When you switch from a deodorant that is aluminum based (aka one that prevents you from sweating), your armpits will go through an “armpit detox” when you start using natural deodorants. This detox will differ for each person, but I didn’t experience much from it. As charcoal is known to draw out toxins, you might want to try this kind when switching to natural. It might make your detox period take less time! 😃

Question 2: This deodorant applies very easily and is the perfect consistency. It isn’t too soft or hard, which makes it quick and simple to apply.

Question 3: This deodorant lasts all day! I was a tad concerned that it was a black color and would transfer to my clothes, but I haven’t had any troubles with that. Just make sure to let your pits dry for a minute or so before putting on your shirt! My pits smell nice and fresh throughout the day, but (with any natural deodorant) I would recommend reapplying if you are planning on doing any heavy exercising. Asthey don’t prevent against sweating, it is important to think ahead and not let your sweat wash away the scent protectant!

Question 4: My pits have felt great after using this type. I haven’t noticed my skin being dry and the black color hasn’t dyed my underarms a darker shade (which is always good haha).

Baking Soda Deodorant in Lavender

A picture of baking soda natural deodorant

Question 1: It is no surprise that a natural deodorant classic uses baking soda. Baking soda is often used in sustainable, homemade recipes as it has amazing cleaning qualities. In terms of deodorant, it does an excellent job of neutralizing odors. However, some people with sensitive skin find that baking soda’s pH is too much for their body which can lead to extra dry skin.

Question 2: This deodorant applies very easily, but it is a softer consistency compared to the activated charcoal. It also feels a tad grainy (which is obviously the baking soda). But, I haven’t had any issues with its application!

Question 3: This product lasts all day! The lavender scent is stronger than the other scents I tried out, so I was more “aware” of when this deodorant was working for me. Again, it doesn’t prevent any sweat, but it definitely kept me smelling nice all day!

Question 4: For me, I didn’t experience any negative side effects after using the baking soda for a long time. I don’t have sensitive skin on my body (just on my face of course), which probably helped with the whole pH thing. If you are concerned that your skin might react, I would definitely recommend getting the trial size from Pretty Frank before getting a full size. For only $4, you can’t go wrong!

Zinc Natural Deodorant in Woodlands

A picture of zinc oxide natural deodorant

Question 1: This type of natural deodorant uses zinc oxide, which is a natural mineral that has antimicrobial, skin-soothing, and anti-odor properties. If you aren’t able to use baking soda, this might be a good place to start!

Question 2: This deodorant is by far the softest of the types, which made it a tiny bit more difficult to apply. I also noticed that it was stickier than the other types, but it wasn’t a big deal after it dried. I did a full review on some zinc deodorant in the past, so check it out for more details! 👍

Question 3: Again, this lasts all day! Pretty Frank has a lot of zinc deodorant scents; if you tend to have stronger odors, I suggest using a stronger scent like lavender.

Question 4: My pits never got dry or sensitive when using this type. 🎉

Magnesium Deodorant in Unscented

A picture of magnesium natural deodorant

Question 1: If you have very sensitive skin, this is the product for you! The magnesium hydroxide is perfect for eliminating odors without any possible skin irritants. But, that will limit you on scent as this type of natural deodorant only comes in unscented.

Question 2: I would say this formula is the thickest and “hardest” of the others, so it would sometimes clump off (and onto the floor) before I had the chance to rub it in. This is easily solved by applying small sections at a time.

Question 3: This definitely lasts all day! I was worried that, because it is unscented, it wouldn’t cover up any nasty smells… But this doesn’t seem to be the case. Even at my smelliest moments the deodorant will turn the odor into a slightly sweet smelling scent; it does the job!

Question 4: This deodorant didn’t make my pits dry or anything like that. If you have found your body reacting negatively to baking soda, then I would highly recommend giving this a try!

Overall, I absolutely loved trying out all of these different types of natural deodorants from Pretty Frank. Many people are scared to switch to something more eco-friendly in this department because IF the product doesn’t work, then everyone around you will know. 😬 So, when thinking about which of these types is my favorite I would have to say the Baking Soda Lavender! The texture of the deodorant, its smell, and its ability to last all day made it my perfect fit. However, everyone’s body is different, so I hope this post can guide you all into what natural deodorant to use. What type will you be trying next?!

A picture of four containers of deodorant with the words natural deodorants: the essential guide on top
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Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderMy Future Goals for a Sustainable Apartment

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Hey earth muffins! Like I mentioned in my recent graduation post, I will be moving into an apartment with my boyfriend at the end of July! I am SO excited to finally have my own space with him, as we have been an LDR couple for many years. With the search for an apartment underway, I have been doing a lot of thinking on my sustainable apartment goals. Living in my own place with an actual salary will allow me to move forward after grad school set me back on my green journey. If you are planning on moving in the near future, I challenge you to also lay out some goals for yourself. How can you make your own apartment more sustainable?

I have found that writing out my goals (and publishing them on the internet lol!) helps me stay more accountable. From moving during Plastic Free July to moving in with a significant other for the first time, I will be writing many posts about this huge step in my life in the months to come. Laying out some goals for a sustainable apartment is the first step, and I will definitely update you all on them in the future!

A picture of the living room of a sustainable apartment

My Sustainable Apartment Goals:

1. I will declutter before moving into the apartment so that it is full of the items that I really need. While I have been sorting through my possessions often after starting my sustainable journey in 2018, I still feel like there are certain things that I need to just donate and get out of my life.

2. I will get a compost bin and continue recycling! After getting rid of many single use plastics in my life, I find that my trash can is mostly full of food waste… And that could be composted! While I highly doubt I will be able to get a composting service to pick up the waste, I hope to find someone who will allow me to drop off compost for their bin. Fingers crossed!

3. I will shop at the local organic grocery store with bulk bins and reusable bags/jars. This was my favorite place to shop during my two internships! They have a ton of bulk food options, and I heard they recently expanded it even more.

4. I will find local family owned stores/farmers for milk and eggs. While I discovered during Plastic Free July last year that glass milk bottles were hard to find, I hope there are more options now. I no longer eat meat, but my boyfriend does. So, I also hope to find a local deli or butcher too!

5. I will continue to buy everything I can secondhand. This includes clothes (to avoid fast fashion) and furniture/home décor. My boyfriend and I have all of the furniture for our apartment except a table and chairs. We will probably utilize Facebook Marketplace to score a good deal!

6. I will keep my overall plastic use at a minimum. My boyfriend loves soda/plastic water bottles, so that is one of the first things we will be weaning off. While I know our apartment will never be fully plastic free, we can definitely use a small amount.

There you have it – my goals for my new apartment! 🥳 This list will most likely change during the moving process; I may update this post from time to time. Again, I challenge you to think about your current living space… Is there anything you can change to make it more sustainable?

A picture of an apartment with the words my goals for a sustainable apartment below it
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Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderA Review of The USB Lighter Company’s Candle Lighter

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Hey earth muffins! Today I will be reviewing a product that I was extra excited to try out: the candle lighter from The USB Lighter Company! 😀 It is no surprise that, like many of you, I have collected some candles over time, especially from Bath & Body Works after watching too many haul videos on YouTube. Now that I will finally be getting my own apartment in August, I can actually burn these candles (as my parents never wanted me to and dorms/college apartments usually have strict rules against any type of fire).

A picture of a white USB candle lighter on top of two cardboard boxes with lighters inside
The USB Lighters

BUT, I was conflicted because I didn’t want to buy a disposable lighter to reduce my waste and avoid the unnecessary plastic…. Enter The USB Lighter Company! I stumbled upon an ad on my Insta page and absolutely fell in love with the idea of a lighter that can be recharged. I reached out to them, and they were so kind to send me three candle lighters to try out and review, so let’s just get right into my thoughts! 

What I LOVE about the Candle Lighter:

1. It is a great sustainable alternative!
2. The lighter is such good quality
3. The design is ultra sleek and easy to store
4. The charge lasts a long time!

I’ve seen plenty of BIC lighters come through my parents’ house growing up, as we often went camping and needed something to light the campfire and grill or to light the candles at our dinner table. I have also seen quite a few handheld lighters on the ground, probably thrown there by a smoker after the lighter ran out of fluid. This lighter is chargeable by a USB cord, which allows you to buy one and never have to buy a lighter again!

In terms of quality, the first thing I noticed was how sturdy and heavy it felt. The actual lighter head is tucked into the device (an excellent safety feature!). All you need to do is slide the switch on the side and press the button to light. Compared to the BIC lighter in my parents’ junk drawer, there is a huge difference in quality!

A picture of a disposable BIC lighter next to a reusable USB lighter
A disposable lighter (left) next to the USB Lighter (right)

I am an organization lover, so every product I buy needs to be easily stored and accessible. Because this lighter doesn’t have any sort of curve to it like disposable lighters, it fits basically anywhere! The curved hook at the end would allow you to hang it on a hook if you wanted to; quite convenient if you were using this in a camper.

The packaging says a full charge allows for about 300 lights, which is incredible. I charged my lighters when they arrived and haven’t had the need to recharge yet. Because the charge lasts, this would be a great product if you were backpacking, camping, or in an emergency situation. You would never be surprised that your lighter ran out of fluid when it actually mattered!

A picture of a reusable USB lighter next to a Bath and Body Works Almond candle
The white USB lighter with my current fav candle!

What I DISLIKE about the Candle Lighter:

1. It looks like it comes with a bit of plastic waste (when it actually doesn’t!)
2. The price does seem way higher than a disposable one
3. The green light when charging is a bit counterintuitive

Most of the packaging is recyclable cardboard, but the actual lighter is held in a small plastic sleeve. While the box says that all of the packaging is recyclable, I thought that my local recycling center would not take plastic like that. But, the company has since confirmed that all of their packaging can definitely be recycled! I hope that others don’t make the same mistake that I made… Oops!

In terms of price, it is important to think about the product’s life cycle, including its demise in a landfill. This lighter can give you infinite lights which means you never have to pay for another lighter again. This saves so much plastic from heading to the landfill – worthy of the $30 price! The USB Lighter Company was kind enough to create the code EARTHMUFFIN for you all, so definitely use it to get 20% off your entire purchase! 😍 It is important to support eco-friendly products; you are voting with your money for what products you want to see on the marketplace. Show companies that you require them to care about the planet!

The light is green when it is charging and then turns off once it is “full”. I usually associate a green light with being fully charged; I wish the light would be red, switching to green once it is fully charged… This is just a personal preference, but I thought I would bring it up.

A picture of a USB lighter with the words candle lighter review on top
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Overall, I would highly recommend checking out the amazing lighters The USB Lighter Company has to offer! 🙃 I get so happy supporting brands that actually care about the planet, and I hope you all enjoyed my thoughts on their product! Don’t forget to use the code EARTHMUFFIN to get 20% off your entire order! What do you think about sustainable lighters?

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderReview: Pretty Frank Vanilla Lavender Lotion Bar

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Hey earth muffins! In the past, I have done some sponsored reviews for Primal Pit Paste and have loved everything I have tried from this company. I was quite excited when they recently reached out to me again, as they have now re-named themselves as Pretty Frank. After searching through the products that I have not tried, I was curious to try out the new Vanilla Lavender Lotion Bar. They were kind enough to send it my way, so I will be sharing my thoughts on the product with you all today!

What I Love
*It is plastic free! It is no secret that I have been trying to avoid as much plastic/unnecessary packaging since starting my journey towards living a sustainable lifestyle in 2018. Lotion containers irritate me because 1) they are made of plastic and 2) you often can’t get everything out of the bottle (which can impact their ability to be recycled). This product comes in a cardboard box, which can be recycled. I love that the product itself is “naked”, as it resembles some of Lush’s products. I love that companies are starting to realize that it is important to reduce the waste of their packaging!

*Perfect for all your moisturizing needs without being greasy. I also am not a fan of typical lotions because they are often quite greasy…. Who else can’t open doors for a solid 5 minutes after rubbing in some lotion? So annoying! This bar is awesome because it moisturizes but doesn’t get that greasy layer on your hands (or wherever you apply it). Especially in a time when we are washing our hands more, it is so important to keep your skin healthy and moisturized!

*Easy to apply! I was interested to see if it would be harder to apply a lotion in bar form, but it is quite simple. All I do is take the bar and rub it over the area of dry skin and rub it in with my fingers for a minute or so. Again, the fact that it doesn’t leave behind any greasy residue is so great for me – definitely a huge bonus!

*Equivalent price to other lotions. This bar is only $10 (or $8.50 if you get a plan to ship every 1-3 months). While I have only been using it a few weeks, it seems like it will last for a long time as you don’t need a ton of product for each use. Lotion, in general, can be pricey, but I think this is a good bang for you buck!

*Fast shipping (even in quarantine!). I was talking with my contact at the company (shoutout to Katie!) right when all of the stay at home orders were first put into place. And my product still got to my house super-fast!

*Smells amazing! Honestly, who can hate the scents of vanilla and lavender together? Lavender is such a calming scent for me, so I love applying this lotion right before going to bed as it helps me go to sleep. I am not sure if Pretty Frank is going to release more scents in the future, but it wouldn’t surprise me. If vanilla and lavender aren’t your thing, keep an eye out!

What Could Be Better
*The circle shape could be a square. As the cardboard box is a square, it would seem like the bar itself could be a square as well. Even though the circle shape is easy to roll over the skin when applying, it might be easier storage wise if it were a square instead (even though I just kept the box it came in and haven’t had any storage issues yet).

*It came wrapped in wax paper. While the box itself is recyclable, the bar was also wrapped in a small square of wax paper. This can’t be recycled, so I made sure to reuse it before throwing it away. I would have loved to see this wax paper be just normal paper that could be recycled! : )

Overall, I have been loving Pretty Frank’s Vanilla Lavendar Lotion Bar! If you are looking for a more sustainable option than your typical plastic bottle lotion, I would definitely recommend giving it a try. I look forward to trying more Pretty Frank products in the future! What lotion are you currently using while in quarantine?

Love,
Jenna ♥

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bookmark_borderWhy This Will NEVER be a “Zero Waste” Blog

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Hey earth muffins! As this blog has seen some drastic shifts in its content over the past year or so, I wanted to write a post about my thoughts on being a “zero waste” blogger. It seems that as sustainability becomes a more popular topic in the news and among the younger generations, there has been a rise in the “zero waste” blog category. However, I personally will never consider Life of an Earth Muffin to be a “zero waste” blog; here are the reasons why.

First, I would like to start out by saying a disclaimer that there is absolutely nothing wrong with being a zero waste blog or living the zero waste lifestyle! I support anyone and everyone who is in this category, but I don’t see being completely zero waste as a realistic end goal for me. While creating absolutely no waste is incredible for those who opt to do so, I hope to live as sustainably as possible without subjecting myself to living that strict of a lifestyle. My boyfriend, who I will be living with starting in August, is not fully on board with zero waste living as well, so it would be difficult to try to live this lifestyle if he were not too. Zero waste in general is definitely not a perfect concept (because really, what is “perfect”?), so I figure that I will live the way I want to live and share that journey here on Life of an Earth Muffin.

You definitely do not need to be 100% zero waste to make an impact on the planet and challenge the views of people living around you, so I would much prefer to stay away from the “trendy” label of being zero waste and pave my own path for my unique way to sustainably live. I hope that my content will continue to show what one person can do in their daily life and inspire others to follow – one of the reasons I changed my blog’s name to Life of an Earth Muffin is because being an “earth muffin” encompasses so many more people than those who are just “zero waste”.

Even though I personally have found that being low waste does not require extra money in my budget, the zero-waste community is already one plagued by privilege. How are you supposed to be zero waste if you don’t have access to bulk stores or secondhand shops? Or affordable bulk or organic options? Or live in a climate where fresh produce is unavailable? Or have the time or resources to avoid all plastics? The media around this lifestyle is often white centric and female heavy, with mason jars full of trash in tow. While it is a misconception that everyone who is zero waste must have this mason jar trash can, I would much rather not put myself (or my blog) into a category that is not totally inclusive.

While using the terms “zero waste” and “low waste” will always be a part of this blog (because face it, clickbait and “trendy” terms are necessary to drive traffic), I don’t find myself trying to shove my content or modify it to fit into a category that doesn’t accurately describe me. Helping the planet and inspiring others to do the same are my main goals for this blog, and I know that I can be successful at it without being fully zero waste. 🙂

Thanks for listening to my TED talk – comment below and don’t forget to follow Life of an Earth Muffin to never miss another post!

Love,
Jenna ♥

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