#suatainable

Everytime I buy something, I think about the potential waste it could create.

I think about the turtles mistaking plastic bags for jellyfish, the birds that die with bellies full of plastic bits, the fish strangled by netting.

Looking at that last photo of the fish in the glove makes me physically uncomfortable, like I'm suffocating.

However, I am grateful for the zero waste community here on tumblr. You all inspire me and teach me to be better. That's why I called my blog Average Zero Waster, because were all learning every day to be better and no ones perfect.

HAPPY MONDAY MORNING AVERAGE ZERO WASTERS 🤟♻️

This is my absolute favourite, and easiest /quickest, zero waste breakfast. It's so versatile and also vegan!

I think it’s really cool that you reached out and are trying to make a difference. It can be hard when the people we love just don’t get it. I know some of my family members were like that when I first went vegan and zero waste. But there’s a whole community of zero wasters for motivation and support so you’ll never feel alone!

Just remember that it takes time to make a lot of these changes. I’ve been working on myself for a long time and I am still learning things every day! So work at it at your own pace and don’t ever let the haters get you down for trying to do a good thing. 

Here are some simple changes you can try out: 

With Christmas coming up, try to buy people sustainable gifts with no packaging and wrap gifts in newspaper or something recycled. Or give the gift of an experience somewhere! Let me know if you need ideas :) 

Use a cloth hanker-chief instead of Kleenex (any old clothing fabric cut up works! I like to have a few on hand) and wash them when they get dirty

Use a shampoo/conditioner bar for hair and bar of soap for your body. If you live in Canada you can get them at Bulk Bark for a couple bucks with no packaging!

Wear you’re clothes more times before washing them to save on water and energy from doing laundry

If you have a car try to drive less. If it’s a 30 min walk or less try to walk or bike

Educate yourself! Spend some time listening to podcasts (Zero Waste Countdown is really good), watch documentaries (I like Cowspiracy on Netflix), or read books (Zero Waste Home by Bea Johnson - I rented from the library!)

Eat less animal products, especially meat. Or if you’re up for it, go Vegan, I’m sure your parents would love that lol. But really, go at it at your own pace, any reduction in animal products is a great way to help the environment (food wise and any goods you buy)

Avoid buying new things. Go through your stuff and see what you have first and if you need to buy anything, always try buying used first

Pack a lunch instead of eating out! Take out is the worst for disposable packaging, cutlery, etc. 

Reduce the amount of water you use (ex. shorter showers) or turn off the lights when not in the room

Spend more time outside. It will help you to appreciate why you’re so passionate about being zero waste and helping the planet

Always have a To Go kit with you. I keep a small mason jar with a cloth napkin, a fork and spoon, and a water bottle with me at all times. It’s great for if I want to take something small home or avoid disposable plates or cutlery

Try to cut out food items that you eat that come in disposable packaging and opt for the zero waste ones 

If you get a period switch to a menstrual cup and cloth pads. You’ll save a tonne of waste from not using tampons or disposable pads. Plus plastic applicators are horrible for your health

Try making DIY things like lip balm, deodorant, toothpaste, etc

Learn about the proper way to recycle where you live, it’s different for every region. 

Being Zero Waste isn’t about having less, it’s about having more of the good stuff by cutting out the harmful and unnecessary things. So that we have more time for the things that really matter (spending time with family and friends, doing things that truly make us and others happy, taking care of the world we live in!).