Great article with many different layers of solutions.
I’m not anywhere near zero waste and my habits are still very “traditional” and wasteful.
But, one thing I’d recommend everyone to spend 10 minutes at the transfer station watching people throwing stuff out of trucks and cars into the giant pile. Go to Goodwill outlet “the bins” and watch giant blue tubs of yesterday’s clothes, shoes, cookware, furniture, tools, and appliances parade through their last appearance before being added to that pile. There’s knowing and there’s seeing. Experiences can work on you a lot more forcefully than words and big plans, just let it sink in and change your feeling toward buying everything new and buying disposables.
I think that’s a great recommendation. I really admire your admission of not being anywhere near zero waste. Me neither! But it’s better to do better than do nothing. The zero waste movement can get quite fanatical, which is a turn off. Especially if it’s about shopping for things to be zero waste with.
I don’t do everything right, but I do bring my own bags. But it took years, and like any habit, and like you said, it’s about feeling. I’d walk into a store, and it would start to feel weird if my hand is empty. If you forget to bring your bag today, bring it tomorrow. The feelings develop over time.
I know because I’ve switched recently to getting my bread and croissants in a wax-cloth bag (instead of the throwaway papers). It’s been about six months, and I get it right … about half the time.
