zero waste lifestyle

Going Zero Waste with a Non-Zero Waste Partner

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In honor of Valentine's Day and our upcoming 4 year anniversary, I thought I'd do a post with my amazing partner, Peter!

I absolutely adore this guy. He's incredibly supportive and appreciative of who I am, and who I want to be. 

I definitely have a tendency to ... uh ... how do I say this? Shake him up a bit... Like when I came home with bright blue mermaid hair with no warning, or when I had the idea to leave him in Denver and just go sailing for 3 months, whenever I drive home with a new craigslist find (or wrangle him into coming with me), or warn him not to touch my latest DIY experiment in the kitchen, or that time when I decided I wanted to try to stop making trash. 

As many of you know, I'm a biologist and incredibly passionate about our planet. I'm also lucky enough to have found someone who is as enthused about the Earth as I am. Peter has his degree in ecological biology as well, and can totally jive with me on all my environmental reasonings on going zero waste. He, therefore, was very supportive right from the beginning of my journey, and wanted to be involved! However, he didn't immediately jump head-first into it himself.

This isn't the only area like this for us. I'm also a vegetarian, and while Pete eats mostly plant based, he does eat meat about once a month. Like our mild diversions on zero waste living, this hasn't really caused any issues in our relationship.

So, taking a page out of Kathryn from Going Zero Waste's book, I decided to do a short interview with Peter to give you all an idea of what it's like to be on the other side of all this!


Me: What where your first thoughts when I told you I wanted to go zero waste?

Peter: I'd also been thinking a lot about how much waste I was producing in my own life. I'd had things pop up on the internet talking about going zero waste (I think I'm also a target audience or something), so I was actually excited to grow and learn and adopt a lot of what you were doing into my own life.

Me: How was co-existing in the beginning of my attempt to go zero waste?

Peter: It was exciting, it really opened my eyes to how much waste I was producing myself and ways I could cut back.

Although, sometimes, it was a little frustrating when I wanted to purchase something that was non-recyclable, and I would start to feel guilty about getting it, or just forego buying it altogether. Sometimes when you're craving something, it's hard to say to no just for the idea of waste reduction, you know?

Me: Was there a moment when your perspective on zero waste living really shifted, for better or for worse?

Peter: I would say it was when I started to notice that at my work place I would bring my own lunches, my own containers, my own mug, and on the occasion that I had to buy something I always made sure I could recycle the packaging. And I would notice others bringing food items in plastic bags and then throwing out the bags later that day.

I started to think that even though I am only just one person, and I'm not even taking all the steps that you've taken, I have still dramatically cut back on the trash I produce, which I would say is a positive shift. I started to feel good about what I was doing for the environment, that I was saving money, and that I was really just taking the extra step to do something that I believe in. And most of it really wasn't that hard. 

Me: How would you describe the past year of me attempting to go zero waste?

Peter: I've been very proud of you. I feel as though there have been times when you could have cut a corner or been tempted to break (like for girl scout cookies), but you've stuck true to your guns and been developing habits and routines that are good long term practices to have. I think those will be beneficial to us in the long run. 

I've been proud enough to tell people about you blog (even when you won't!) to help get the message out there. And it hasn't been that hard to adapt to what you've done. 

Me: You know you can be honest, right? Like, you don't need to just flatter me. I want you to give your honest opinion.

Peter: I know, that is honestly how I feel about the past year.

Me: What zero waste things do you participate or not participate in, and why?

Peter: I participate in most of your zero waste activities/habits/practices, whether its brining my own bags to the grocery store or my own containers out.

I don't do any of the DIY stuff. I don't make any body products, and I use Tom's deodorant and toothpaste (which can be sent to Terracycle), but I do use what you make!

I will occasionally buy things (like Goldfish, and Cheez-its) at the store that I know cannot be recycled and need to be thrown away, but other than that I really do try to minimize my waste.

Me: What’s your favorite thing about living (mostly) zero waste?

Peter: Feeling that I know what I'm doing is making a difference. I'm living more true to what I believe in as a biologist and a conservationist, and that I'm really putting my money where my mouth is in following through with this. 

Me: Hah! I thought you were just going to say the fresh sourdough bread!

Peter: Well, ya, that too.

Me: What’s been your least favorite thing about living (mostly) zero waste?

Peter: The guilt I feel when I buy something that can't be recycled. I don't like feeling guilty, and I almost feel like I'm being dishonest to myself about what I'm capable of doing. But it's probably a good thing...

Me: Do you think you would have taken any of these zero waste steps w/o me?

Peter: I feel as though I would have taken some of them, but maybe not as actively. Like bringing my own tupperware, I would occasionally do it, but not every day. I won't say I never would have done any of this, but definitely not at this point in my life.

Me: Have you ever felt pressured by me in a way that you didn't like (as far as zero waste is concerned)?

Peter: No, never, well, I mean ... maybe that look you give me in the store when I get a bag of Goldfish....

Me: If you could change one thing about this experience, what would it be?

Peter: A more active commitment on my own end. I wish I would have done a little bit more up from to help out with this, or had more of a commitment to some of these habits myself.

Me: What's one thing you wish you could have known before I started this process?

Peter: I wish I would have known that sometimes DIY projects don't always turn out perfectly, and it may take a few times to figure out the perfect recipe. Yes, I'm talking about the toothpaste.

I was actually interested in doing this in the first place, so I was eager to learn about it initially, but I didn't research into the detailed day to day things. I sort of assumed we would just reduce the plastic we bought at the grocery store. And it's more than what you buy at the store. It's everything you have in the house. I assumed a lot of it was just about food - but there's SO MUCH MORE.

Me: Any advice for other partners of zero wasters?

Peter: Engage in the activities. Do the DIY projects. You don't have to do everything, but every so often participate so you can learn more about it an help contribute to the process. Looking back that's what I wish I would have done.

Also know that you may experience some guilt in this process. Whenever I do buy something that I can't throw away I do feel guilty about it, which I think is ok because then your at least conscience of it. And as long as your not doing that every day, and trying to cut back on the trash you do produce, its at least a step in the right direction. Not everyone is able to make the jump overnight to living a zero waste lifestyle and I've even noticed the incremental changes you have made over the year, even though it seemed like monthly the amount you were producing was miniscule. If people long term follow those steps then the world will be a better place.


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Zero Waste Starter Kit

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So, how do you go zero waste? I quickly realized that the process of going zero waste requires some purchasing, some DIYing, and a lot of commitment. So I decided to fashion myself a zero waste starter kit.  This doesn't handle everything but it takes a big step in the right direction, and most of it can be purchased on Amazon.com

Drinking:

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I prefer brands like Klean KanteenTM and Hydro FlaskTM for these products because they both have high ecological and humanitarian ethics and limit the plastic they use. Klean Kanteen even offers a completely plastic free water bottle!

1. Reusable water bottle

I gave up on bottled water a long time ago, so I already had a 64 fl oz Klean Kanteen bottle

2. Reusable coffee cups

I use a 20 fl oz insulated Hydro Flask Coffee cup and a 16 oz insulated Klean Kanteen insulated tumbler

These keep my coffee, tea, or anything else I want hot or cold almost all day!  When I order coffee out I hand the barista my mug (without the top), ask for it to be rinsed if it’s necessary, and enjoy my drink the rest of the day!  

3. Stainless steel drinking straws

I would go with Klean Kanteen's Stainless Steel Straws, they are the only one's I've been able to find that come with a cleaning brush made out of natural fibers, not plastic! 

I use these for everything from smoothies to booze to chocolate milk!  

Kitchen:

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1. Paperless Towels

You can DIY these very easily, I chose not to for the time being but probably will soon! I bought a cute set of 10 of these for $19.  Two bucks a pop, but when you think about how much you may spend on paper towels, it's definitely cost effective.

2. Bamboo Pot brush 

This guy works just as well as any sponge, and lasts longer too! Set me back $8.

3. Bamboo/Steal Bottle Brush 

Natural fiber brushes are going to be some of your best friends in this transition. Not only are they necessary for cleaning in the kitchen (sponge replacements). But you really want them for all of your reusable cups and bottles!

RedeckerTM offers some off of Amazon, and Klean Kanteen has a great set as well!

4. Bamboo Pot Scraper 

These handy little guys can scrape just about anything off the bottom of a pot, I’ve yet to meet their match. Until I do these will be my replacement for steel wool and sponge scrubbers. 

Groceries:

Part of transitioning to zero waste is buying lots of fresh produce, and buying in bulk. Grocery stores provide plastic bags for these, but having nice organic cotton bags works even better. 

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1. Organic Cotton Muslin Produce bag 

I bought a set of 7 of these for about $15. I use these for produce and lots of bulk items (coffee, popcorn, lentils, etc.)

2. Organic Cotton Mesh Produce bags 

These were a huge game changer for me. I use them for bulkier items like apples, oranges, and potatoes that the muslin ones are just too small for. I got a set of 6 for about $17

3. Reusable grocery bags

I feel like this one is sort of a no brainer. Most of us know that plastic grocery bags are wasteful, and these reusable ones are very widely available.  You should be able to buy some at your local grocery store for under $5.

The biggest leap to make with the reusable bags is habit. I keep a bag of them in my car all the time, and have a basket by our front door for them as well.

Bathroom:

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1. Plant based toothbrush 

I bought a set of four of these for about $15.00.  They are completely plant based, as is the packaging. They are pretty plain and so I drew an A and a P on them so my boyfriend and I could tell the difference between ours.

Plastic #5 toothbrush - Before switching to bamboo and natural fiber, I had started using this 100% recycled plastic #5 toothbrush from PreserveTM.  They can be bought in many health food stores and also returned directly to the company for complete recycling. While this is a great system, attempting to eliminate all plastic use is ideal, so bamboo would be my more highly recommended product.

My order from Amazon totaled $111.70, and I already had my reusable water and coffee containers.  I was able to make this purchase all at one time, but you could certainly spread it out if finances demanded.  There was some disposable packaging that came with these items which I wasn’t thrilled about. Next time I make an order I will weigh what can't be recycled and report it here.


This post contains affiliate links. As always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.