Stepping back into zero-waste practices
In the first trimester, when I was living with hyperemesis gravidarum, I struggled with some of my sustainability practices. I still practised extreme minimalism (which in many ways made my life easier), but what I was inviting into my life was not what I would usually welcome into my space. There were imported fruits and items packaged in plastic. I don't feel guilt or shame in relation to that time. Going through a health crisis nurtured empathy in me both towards myself and fellow humans who for various reasons struggle to adopt practices of sustainable living. Some time ago, I wrote a whole academic article about different challenges that I encounter as a sustainable living practitioner.
By week 16 of my pregnancy, I began to feel better. I also began to slowly step back into many of my practices, though not all at once. I could buy unpackaged vegetables again and cook meals. I had the energy to visit small, local shops to buy some organic produce and unpackaged sweets.
15 or so years ago, when I stepped on the path of sustainable living, I thought that consuming better and differently was a large part of it. That was the time I made many mistakes. I bought so many items associated with a zero-waste lifestyle that I simply didn't need. Over time, I came to the realisation that at the heart of sustainable living is relating differently with the world. The self, human and non-human others, and nature. Consuming differently was just one manifestation of this different mode of relating. And yet, this manifestation still feels important in many ways. It's a space where I can exercise my agency upon the world and take part in eco-social transformations, though of course in a small way. That is to say, my individual actions will not bring about a society living harmoniously within itself and with nature, but actions of many humans will.
When it comes to my zero-waste practice, I try to recycle less. I do it via living with fewer items (i.e., practising extreme minimalism), buying unpackaged products, making my own (e.g., cooking), and buying products that last a long time. One of my most favourite products is natural, multi-purpose balm. It lasts much longer than a cream because I need only a very tiny amount. I apply it on wet skin on my face, body, and hands, and wet hair, whenever I feel I need to or want to. The toothpaste that comes in a glass jar (in the picture above) has a thick consistency, so I need to use less of it. Another favourite "product" of mine is a simple glass jar. A beautiful glass jar recently came into our life with some beans. We cleaned it afterwards, and now my partner uses it as a glass. Oh just get a proper glass!, one might say. Indeed, recently in our local byttestation (swap shop/station) in the recycling area of our block of flats, there was an abundance of glasses. We contemplating taking some home, but then decided against it. Glass jars that come with food are incredibly beautiful and just as functional. To us, these glass jars are lagom.
I avoid online shopping as much as possible. In my experience, even sustainability minded businesses here in Denmark tend to overpackage the goods, and some still use plastic packaging. My partner and I buy liquid soap, dish washing liquid, baking soda, Danish cider, dried fruits and nuts in bulk. All these things we buy online. Almost anything else that we need we can buy in shops here in Copenhagen. I buy new clothes and other textiles, and shoes very rarely. We buy technology very rarely too. Recently, after 6 or so years of using a second-hand phone, my partner needed a new one. We went to a local shop that sells second-hand phones, and got one from there. It was packaged in a brown paper bag. My phone's screen is cracked and has black spots on it. I don't want to replace it. I don't want to repair it either because it still works as it is. If anything, having a cracked screen helps me use my phone much less. Most of the time, I leave my phone at home, and when I use it, I use it for just a few functions, such as confirming my identity online and taking pictures for my autoethnography.