The 52 Week Experiment
Welcome to our 52 week experiment to reduce our waste. My name is Sandra and I am a very busy-fifty-something-wanna be fashionista-working mother of two wonderful daughters. I have been married to a very patient and understanding man for 26 years. Yes, I am indeed blessed. In spite of this, I have decided to put myself, and in turn my family, to the challenge of a 52 week “reduce our waste” lifestyle. Why? I have been thinking about garbage and waste and how our excess consumerism is destroying our world. People seem to think that because garbage is whisked away for us on a weekly or bi-weekly basis, it magically disappears. It does not. I want to do my part to help. While I love the idea of zero waste, this seems too daunting and intimidating for me / us. 1 kg of garbage for a year? Not sure that this would be achievable. I want to take a more practical approach that others could also consider. The objectives: reduce the amount of waste that we produce and consume less. Not zero waste, but zero waste-ish.
What I have going for me: the town where I live composts our waste and there is a weekly compost pick-up (even in winter). What I don’t have going for me: my whole family is completely against the idea.
Over a Sunday family dinner in November, I announced my proposal to the family. We would try a year of an almost zero waste lifestyle. My older daughter Julie announced, “If I have to use moss instead of toilet paper, I am moving out”. My younger daughter Natalie sighed, rolled her eyes and asked her sister if she could move in with her. My husband Larry’s response was the usual. “You’re going to go overboard on this, aren’t you?” to which I replied/lied, “No, of course not. I just want to see how much we can reduce our garbage. This will involve nothing drastic.” I was met with a sea of raised eyebrows and frowns. “C’mon it will be fun.” Silence.
It is going to be a challenge and a transformational experience, perhaps with some frustration and yelling (not just from me).