So, I know the stereotype zero waster is a cis, white, middle class, woman, but here’s the deal… YOU DON’T HAVE TO BE THAT!!!
I feel like “perfect” zero wasters stands in some elitist pedestal, but here’s the deal, perfection isn’t what we need. We need a lot of people practicing zero waste and low waste imperfectly.
I strive for low waste now, because zero waste was not good for my mental health, and I do really well living low waste. Take it easy if you produce trash in the form of plastic packaging. Even though plastic is pretty bad, there are a lot of people also using plastic. Just do not be wasteful! And if something is in plastic, ask yourself if there is an alternative that is attainable to you.
I know cost is a big thing for me. I cannot work due to coronavirus, so I am currently living very frugally. I am greatful I have a garden to get plastic free produce, but that isn’t everyone’s reality. When I shop, my list usually contains the following: bananas, carrots, bell pepper*, tomatoes*, onions*, garlic, spring onion*, broccoli*, berries*, cereal°, almond milk°, coffee°, oats, chips, salsa, pasta, pasta sauce, canned soup, canned fruits, canned vegetables, frozen fruit, frozen vegetables, hummus, rice, vegan ice cream.
*i grow these, and am not buying them rn
°for my s/o
This list may look odd, and does fluctuate, and most items don’t have to be purchased regularly. We float a bill that looks like the following for the two of us: 100 dollar Costco run once a month, 25 dollar grocery run(previously weekly, now bi-monthly, if that. So let’s say 200 bucks a month for the both of us. I understand that this may seem like a lot, but we don’t eat out and are working towards reducing our expenses. Recently though, we have been spending a lot less because of my garden, but I understand not everyone has the luxury of tending to a garden.
