Fellow human's zero-waste objects
Some years ago, there was much discussion in sustainability movements about the "eco gender gap". Many sustainable options were consumed by women and marketed to women. Around me, I notice that fellow humans of different genders take part in bringing about a more sustainable society. But perhaps what I see around me is not representative. Most of the fellow humans in my social circle are sustainability academics and practitioners. The businesses I research are small and sustainable businesses run by persons of different genders. In my household, we discuss sustainability practices often. In the picture above are zero-waste objects my fellow human uses. They include dental floss in glass packaging, concentrated mouthwash in glass packaging, shaving bar, hair styling wax from a small Danish business, and natural bandages. The wax is made from olive oil, shea butter, and beeswax. There are many objects that we share. For example, the solid shampoo, soap bar, multi-purpose balm, and toothpaste tabs are not strictly mine, they belong to our household. In fact, none of the personal care products that I have are marketed to women specifically.
Apart from personal care, we share many other objects. For example, both of us use cotton tote bags, net bags and produce bags that we have at home. I wear my fellow human's clothes occasionally. And we share home textiles, kitchen items and objects we use to take care of our home (such as sponges and brushes).
Many of the objects I invite into my life are not designed for any particular gender. They include, for example, sweatpants, sandals, tote bags. I very much appreciate the values that are traditionally considered feminine, such as gentleness and care (though surely they manifest in humans of different genders!). But I do not feel the need to communicate these values via the way I dress or the products I use. Rather, I think these values can be manifested in one's approach to human and non-human others, and nature, in how one relates with the world.