Reflections after 1 month of the Zero Waste-ish Lifestyle

Today (well actually February 1st) is 1 month after the start of our 52 week experiment in reducing our waste.  It has been challenging and interesting at the same time.   Some of my observations:

• Not clothes shopping is easier than I expected. I have surprised myself. In particular, as a diehard shopaholic (it’s too early to say former), I have not missed shopping at all.  I even had to go to mall this past weekend to have a watch repaired and I was not even a little tempted.  Could it be that I actually don’t need more clothes in my life?

• The changes within our family have impressed me. I did not expect the family to undergo such a meaningful transformation.  My daughters are much more thoughtful about what they put in the garbage and my husband commented that the garbage appears to have noticeably decreased.  The whole family is making an effort.  Maybe too much of an effort?  My younger daughter told me that she had eaten a packaged snack but that I shouldn’t worry because she was going to leave the wrapper in the garbage at the gym.   I told her that this wasn’t what I wanted or needed.   The purpose of this is to actually reduce our garbage… everywhere, not just at home.

• Most of the feedback on the project has been positive. I suppose criticizing a zero waste-ish lifestyle is like saying that you don’t believe in motherhood or apple pie.  Consequently, most people are amused or curious when I (incessantly) talk about zero waste.  However, there are pockets of resistance.  My daughter went to the butcher for me and asked him to put the meat in a reusable container.  She told me he scoffed and then snapped “I suppose you don’t want a bag either?”.  Fortunately, this type of response is generally limited and most people are supportive.  Guess we won’t be going back to that butcher….

• The zero waste lifestyle takes some planning. I have to keep containers and bags at the ready for shopping that I have to do.  Once I start to run out of something, I make a note in my phone (no more notes on paper like I used to do).   I usually have an extra container that I use for the refill when my original container is not empty.

• I am generally avoiding traditional grocery stores and Costco. There is just too much packaging at these places.  That being said, as my husband still buys some things there like olive oil, which is bought in a bulk format which is better in terms of packaging.  I plan to look at buying olive oil at a bulk store.  Here is one in Montreal that I want to visit very soon, Olio & Co: https://oliocie.com/

• I am working on refusing (the first R of the 5 Rs). I refuse free things that are offered to me.  I stopped my advertising flyers delivery.  I was always taking it and then putting it right into the recycling.   You can do it too!  In Montreal, you can call 1-888-999-2272 and request to cancel your Publisac.  You need to put the official sticker on your mailbox.

• I realize that we need very little to live. We spend a lot of our time and energy working to buy more stuff.  But do we really need it?  How many dishes and pillows and knick-knacks does a person really need?  After my last move, we still had lots of things left in boxes but were able to function without all this extra stuff.  While I purged each time I moved, I am quite certain I have room to improve and will work on that this year.  Less stuff makes you freer.

• Bottom line: This journey is a work in progress and is also about achieving balance;  balance about what works for you as a human being.  It’s not about being perfect.  It’s about doing what is right for you and every little bit that reduces our waste helps the environment.