The cost of zero-waste living
Something that often comes up in my conversations with fellow humans is the cost of zero-waste living. Oftentimes, more ecological options are more expensive. One of the businesspersons I spoke to mentioned that she could make her products cheaper, but she has certain criteria that she wants to meet. Her products must be made from certified organic ingredients. They must be packaged in glass. They must be made here in Denmark where production is expensive, especially when it's done by a small business. As a researcher, I want to bring others' attention to accessibility and affordability of a zero-waste lifestyle. What makes it possible for me to buy certified organic products and products made by small, independent businesses is excluding many categories of goods and services from my consumption. I don't exclude them to be able to afford organic food and locally made natural personal care. I exclude them for ecological, aesthetic, self-love and many other reasons. For example, I do not drive for ecological reasons. I don't buy home décor because I prefer "empty" spaces and simplicity. I do not consume makeup and fashion clothing because I want to nurture love towards myself as I am.
It is so important to disclose that the main area where my fellow human and I spend is not organic food or natural personal care. It is rent. Where we live in Copenhagen rent is incredibly high. We pay around 1500 euros a month for a small, 40 or so square meters studio apartment. I would prefer to live in a different area, but my fellow human has family commitments in this area. I used to pay around 900 euros a month in Helsinki, and around 500 euros a month in northern Sweden. In both Finland and Sweden I lived in tiny studio apartments. Food is also expensive here in the Nordics. We eat out very rarely, but we buy bread from bakeries often to avoid plastic waste. Public transport is incredibly expensive too. I walk everywhere, but when I was visiting Lund university, the trip cost me SEK 249 one way from Copenhagen central station to Helsingborg.
As for other objects, I want to disclose how much they are. In my previous entry, I listed 50 items that I would choose to live with if I had to identify 50 of them. When I was writing this list, I was thinking about my current consumption. I will identify the cost in whatever currency I used to buy those things. GBP = British pound, DKK = Danish krone, EUR = euro, SEK = Swedish krona.
1. Laptop. It's very old and cost around GBP 500.
2. Phone. It's very old too and I paid around GBP 200 for it.
3. Cotton pouch for my bank card, id, balm, key. It was around DKK 33. The one I used previously was free, as it was packaging that came with soaps.
4. Multi-purpose balm for my skin and body care. I use it instead of many other products. It's around DKK 116, but it's possible to buy it a little bit cheaper online. It's also possible to make one. The balm I use has these ingredients in it: shea butter, olive oil, beeswax.
5. Soap bar. I use it for all my hygiene needs. I also often use it to wash the dishes. It's DKK 33.
6. Yoga mat. I used to sleep on a yoga mat when I lived furniture-free. DKK 800. It's possible to buy them cheaper but this one was made from ecological materials. When I moved to Denmark, I gave it away to a friend because I would no longer sleep on it. When there are very good quality objects that I want to give away, I firstly ask my friends if they need them.
7. Cotton tote bag. For storage, laundry, shopping, travelling. DKK 99. It's possible to buy them cheaper. I have several tote bags, some of them were EUR 2. Oftentimes, fellow humans have many spare ones, so I'd ask around.
8. Shoes. DKK 1000. They are very expensive. I have only 3 pairs of shoes. I need my shoes to last me a very long time, and they do. One of those pairs was a gift.
9. Water bottle. DKK 299, but it's possible to buy them cheaper or even get them second-hand.
10. Toothpaste tabs. DKK 49.
11. Toothbrush. DKK 39 for a bamboo one, but it's possible to buy them cheaper.
12. Underwear. DKK 150 for two.
13. Linen shirt. Around DKK 800. I only have two and wear them every day. It's very important to me that they last. It's also possible to buy them second-hand.
14. Sweatpants. EUR 80. It's possible to buy good quality clothing second-hand. I chose these because they are made from organic cotton and they are made in Europe. I only have 3 pairs and wear them for a very long time, every day.
15. Basic top. DKK 250 for two.
16. Another basic tank top. Same as before.
17. Woollen throw. EUR 86. It's made in Europe by a small Swedish business.
18. Large woollen scarf that I could also wear over my head when it's very cold. I think mine was around SEK 600.
19. Stock pot. So I could make soup, salads, boil potatoes, rice, and pasta. When I lived in Finland, I borrowed one from a friend, here in Denmark I share one with a fellow human. So it's free.
20. Spoon. Free, same as above.
21. Fork, Free, same as above.
22. Knife. Free, same as above.
23. Food box. DKK 159, but it's also possible to borrow them from friends and buy them second-hand.
24. Scissors. I've had them for a very long time, I don't remember how much they were.
25. Jacket. Around EUR 50. On many occasions, I borrowed jackets from fellow humans. So they were free.
26. Towel. I share them with a fellow human. It's possible to borrow them from friends and family.
27. Dish brush. DKK 40.
28. Crystal deodorant. I got it for free from a hotel where I once stayed.
29. Another pair of sweatpants. Same as above.
30. Shorts. They were on sale, around EUR 30. They are made in Europe from organic cotton. It's also possible to buy them second-hand.
31. Pillow. The one I use now is not mine, the one I used in Sweden was not mine either. Before that I slept without a pillow.
32. Duvet. The one I use now is not mine.
33. Bed sheet. The one I use now is not mine.
34. Pillow case. The one I use now is not mine.
35. Plate or bowl. I would never buy them. There are so many of them in the world. I would ask friends or family to share one with me.
36. Another linen shirt. Same as above.
37. Razor. The safety razor I had was around EUR 25.
38. Glass jar. Currently I use one that came with organic pasta sauce. I use it as a glass and instead of a mug. So it's free. The pasta sauce is DKK 17.
39. Woollen socks. They were around DKK 140 for two pairs.
40. Shampoo bar. DKK 85.
41. Conditioner bar. DKK 65.
42. Backpack. It's around DKK 660 but I bought mine in Finland.
43. Another basic tank top. As above.
44. Perhaps another pair of sweatpants. As above.
45. Frying pan. I share one with a fellow human. The one I used before I borrowed from a friend.
46. Another pair of shoes. As above.
47. A meditation cushion. Not mine.
48. Cloth to clean the floor by hand. DKK 25 for 2.
49. Arm warmers or mittens. They were around EUR 20.
50. Perhaps a pair of cotton socks. SEK 129 for 4 pair I believe. They were minimally packaged and made from organic cotton.
Some of those items are rather expensive, others are free. The cost of living also depends on a country. I live in Denmark where wages are relatively high, taxes are rather high, and cost of living is also high. It was similar in Finland and in Sweden. If I had an even stricter budget and had to rebuild my life from 0, I would first and foremost ask my friends, family and community (colleagues etc.) if they could share something with me. Whenever I can, I share what I have with my fellow humans, even if I live with very few objects myself. I would buy second-hand objects too. On my zero-waste journey, I made many mistakes. For example, I bought metal straws and glass lunch box that I barely used. I asked my fellow humans if they wanted them. What is not useful for one person can be very useful for someone else.
