Zero-waste essentials
My feeling is that zero-waste is not as popular as it used to be some years ago. I've been practising a lifestyle that I describe in terms of a constellation of different practices (zero-waste, minimalism and extreme minimalism, slow living, simple living). I don't think that a perfectly zero-waste lifestyle is possible in the current system, but I also never felt the need to be "perfect" at zero-waste. I've been practising this lifestyle for over 10 years, and I would not have lasted this long if I only accepted perfection. I don't even know what this perfection is, as there are so many trade-offs. For example, should I buy local, organic vegetables packaged in plastic, or loose vegetables that are not organic and that are imported?
In theory, when I practise this mode of living, I take part in transformations of our society, hopefully towards society living harmoniously with nature. I know that my actions are incredibly small-scale and that my own actions, on their own, will not bring about genuine sustainability. Perhaps the greatest benefit I can see and feel as I am on this journey, is better mental health. Living with much less and thus being intentional while inviting new objects into my space, living only with the objects that feel pleasant and look good to me, avoiding shopping as much as possible, knowing that my actions match my worldview and what I advocate in my academic works, being able to sustain myself without working for a while. All of these are benefits of this mode of living.
At some point, many years ago, when my mode of living was very similar to my current practice, I looked around and felt free. I realised that I did not need to strive for more, accumulate more, strive to live in a bigger apartment. Everything that I was inviting into my life I was intending to keep forever rather than keep it until I could afford something else. I allowed myself to exclude a large number of categories of products that are normal in this society. I said to myself that it is ok to not own a car, to not wear makeup, to wear the same outfit every day, to avoid visiting hair and nail salons, to prefer a very limited range of colours and fabrics. That it was ok to not wear a bra, to use old technology, to walk barefoot when I have a chance, to avoid decorating my home, to travel slowly and even to avoid travelling for a long time. I did not have to replace an object if there was an imperfection such as a small hole or a stain. I did not have to force myself to dress up for events. It was incredibly liberating. I lived with a very small number of objects, and I said to myself, I could simply live with them forever and replace them whenever it was necessary. I did not need more. And it has stayed like this for many years. I've never been happier.
Here are some zero-waste objects that I use and will continue to use:
Cotton tote bags and net bags. This was one of the first zero-waste objects I invited into my life. It was 15 years ago or so. I use cotton tote bags for everything, including as hand bags. I have several of them and share them with friends and my loved one. I also use them for laundry and storage to avoid acquiring boxes and more furniture.
Cotton produce and bread bags. Most of the time, I don't use these bags for produce, because I simply put all the fruits and vegetables in one tote bag. But I use them for storing my underwear and socks, and other objects.
Water bottle. It was also one of the first zero-waste objects that I got.
Reusable coffee cup. It was a gift from my loved one. As I don't own a mug, I use the reusable coffee cup at home, for both coffee, tea, and water. Previously, I used a glass jar for this purpose. Even before that, I used to borrow mugs from fellow humans.
Skincare. I use zero-waste multi-purpose balm and soap bar for all my skincare needs. I also use solid shampoo and toothpaste tabs.
Jars. I don't buy new jars. I keep those that come with various products such as honey, pasta sauce and skincare. I use them for storage, as vases, for food and for toothpaste tabs.
Reusable tea bags. I like them. Though at times, as a gift to myself, I also get tea that comes in (plastic-free and unbleached) tea bags.
Plastic-free kitchen sponges and brushes. I've been using them for a while. The sponges can be composted. The brushes need extra care. When I get a new one, I always oil it.
Stones, shells and flowers from nature as decorations. To decorate my home, I use the stones I brought with me from Sweden, Finland and Denmark (the Nordic countries where I have lived). I also brought some small shells from a beach in Denmark. In summer, at times I bring flowers, such as yarrow, home. I almost never buy flowers for myself. Rarely, my loved one brings flowers for me from a food market.
And here are some zero-waste objects that I avoid:
Metal straws. When I started my zero-waste journey, I bought metal straws. It was a mistake, as I don't ever use straws. I gave them away.
For psychological reasons, I don't use a safety razor anymore.
For psychological reasons, I also don't use a menstrual cup.
Oftentimes, I use bamboo toothbrushes. But at times I don't. I much prefer the ones made from recycled food plastic. They seem to last longer.
Silicone bags. Generally, if I need to store food, I use the ceramic bowls that we have in our home. I put a small plate on top to preserve that food better. When I'm on the go, I usually pick something up from a bakery. Or, I don't buy anything. When I travel by train, I don't feel that I must eat often. I use that time to contemplate.
Compost bins. Here in Denmark, there are separate bins for food waste. I don't waste food, but at times there is waste such as potato peels.
As consumers have become more interested in "green" options, there are ever more "green" products on the market. At times they seem useful, at other times it feels like greenwashing. I avoid most of the products apart from the ones I mentioned above because they don't feel useful for my lifestyle. For example, I don't own beeswax wraps, cloth bowl covers, cutlery to go (I can bring what I have in the kitchen).
I always say that the main zero-waste practice for me has been extreme minimalism. I would find zero-waste difficult and time-consuming to navigate if I lived a life with many more possessions. Everything I own personally fits in a tote bag and a backpack. It used to be almost all that I lived with too. When I moved in with my partner, we invited more objects into our life, such as furniture and more kitchen items. If my partner and I went our separate paths, I would live furniture-free again and would not take any of the kitchen items.
