On extreme minimalism and zero-waste
Extreme minimalism and zero-waste are controversial movements. Practising extreme minimalism means living with a lot (and obviously) less than what is the norm. I believe there is a constellation of reasons why humans practise extreme minimalism. My reasons are ecological, spiritual, and aesthetic. This lifestyle is not necessarily less expensive than some other lifestyle: to live with less, those few items need to be good quality (and thus often more expensive), otherwise one must re-purchase them very often. It is possible to acquire items second-hand and borrow too. While I borrow some items at times, I avoid second-hand shopping because it is time-consuming and I don't enjoy shopping. And there are of course other expenses beyond acquiring items, such as housing, food, bank fees, electricity and water, and public transport. In theory, it is also possible to consume more normally and donate items often.
One can practise extreme minimalism and have a large environmental impact. I'm not sure how beneficial this lifestyle is for nature, perhaps it depends on how exactly it is practised, since there are so many ways to do it.
I've noticed that many associate extreme minimalism with a particular colour scheme. One can practise extreme minimalism without preferring beige and grey colours. Personally I find those colours calming and beautiful.
There is at times an assumption that practising extreme minimalism means living with a certain number of items, such as 15 or 100. This is not helpful at all, since people's circumstances differ and also change. While I've had my own "sufficiency list" for many years, I always highlight the fact that this list is not a serious tool but a playful thing to sketch and contemplate. These days I use it (by now, it's in my mind rather than on a piece of paper) when I pack things.
Zero-waste discourse was very prominent some years ago within a broader environmental movement, and since then attracted much criticism. For most humans, it is impossible to live entirely zero-waste. Even if a product itself is zero-waste, likely some waste was generated in the process of production. Some zero-waste foods may be coming from far-away places. Looking for zero-waste items is time-consuming. Some items cannot be purchased without any packaging (such as prescription drugs). One can practise zero-waste while engaging in activities that are not good for nature. Some humans would say that this movement focuses on consumers rather than on change in our systems. And so on.
I've been fascinated with the zero-waste movement and discourse for a very long time. At times, I tried to see if this mode of living was even possible. It wasn't possible for me as a long-term project. At the very least, due to my life-long health condition, I need medicines packaged in plastic and other materials. It is not difficult to see various issues of the zero-waste movement, but I still see much beauty in it. It is perhaps most useful to see zero-waste not as a destination but rather in terms of walking a path.
Some products I invite into my life are zero-waste, others are not. Generally, thinking in terms of zero-waste makes me more mindful of the choices I make. Often these choices are not straightforward. I don't know if buying chocolate packaged in paper is more sustainable than buying local apples packages in plastic. Some zero-waste items I have used for many years and find them better and more beautiful than more conventional options. Something I've realised during the past 10 or so years of this journey is that it is much easier to practise zero-waste while also practising extreme minimalism. In general, it feels that constellating different (but still related) lifestyles and practices works best. I would struggle to put one label on my lifestyle and my mode of being. There are elements of zero-waste, of extreme minimalism, but also of simple and slow living, deep ecology and many others. Perhaps it is not even necessary to label one's mode of being. At times it could be useful to connect with likeminded humans. For me it is also useful for academic reasons, to contemplate and discuss plural practices, attitudes and their constellations.