Chief called, he said this ain't it :(
I did a lot of reflection over break. I also didn't do a lot of shopping and did throw some things away...
But let me explain because I'm totally about to throw out some excuses.
First of all... I'm trying. And while celebrating a participation award is corny, I'm doing it anyway. Plus some of these things I've implemented every day! I use reusable bags, I bring my own Tupperware/cups, and I'm constantly doing more research to further enrich this zero waste experience! Plus I barely throw things away now and when I do, I'm aware of it.
And I just feel like that counts for something yanno?
AAAaaaand...
I stopped shopping in general. I mean I still go to PCC sometimes, but mostly for snacks. I just realized that my parents are already buying food for everyone, so it just didn't make sense to buy a whole extra meal even if it is zero waste. Plus I always had leftovers that no one ate but me! It was too much food, which is a problem in itself! So I think if I was able to do this truly by myself being zero waste would have been more feasible. So... catch me in college going zero waste? maybe?
(Me with all the food)
I'm going to keep trying to maintain being zero waste or at least be more aware, but if this all fails and I forget about it in like... a week? There is one definite thing I will do for our environment. When I die I will give myself to Mother Earth. It just isn't cool to be put in a coffin anymore. Plus most traditional burials use toxic chemicals, slow the decomposition process, or add to pollution (1)!
Instead, I'll provide nutrients for like a tree or something and it'll be great. You should all consider doing something like that too. Maybe Mother Earth will forgive our entire grade for doing a subpar job with saving the environment.
As to why I didn't do so well on this as I thought I would? I think it was mostly my lack of knowledge and skills in the area. An article written by Colin Robertson explains the 6 factors that help our habits stick. Robertson says that "Many of us set plans to better ourselves without having the right knowledge at our disposal" (2). I did research, I just feel like I didn't do enough. There was still a lot that I didn't know about going zero waste and kept realizing as I was doing it. If I had done some more research and really knew how much planning went into going zero waste I think I could have been more prepared.
Which is why I think that knowledge and skills on the topic are essential for everyone who is trying to go zero waste! I hope this blog helped give some information if anything. If you want more info, you can ask me some more questions about going zero waste or... just look it up online?
I really want to continue doing this. I have been able to maintain the smaller aspects of it, like using reusable bags/cups/things. I know now what worked for me and what didn't, so if I were to do this again I'd probably do it when I don't already have so much food available at home. But I learned so much about landfills it's crazy. Did you know that 25% of your recycling ends up in the landfill anyway (3). That's WHACK.
But it's mostly due to our own ignorance of what can and cannot be recycled! So before I end this post I'm gonna share with you exactly what the city of Seattle wants from you when it comes to recycling (4):
Also, make sure that any plastic tubs/cartons/stuff has been rinsed and dried. They won't accept anything with food/stuff on it and it'll be sent to a landfill instead :(
Links For Days:
(2) Robertson, Colin. “6 Factors That Influence Our Behavior.” Willpowered Evolution, Willpowered Evolution, 1 Dec. 2014,
www.willpowered.co/learn/factors-of-behavior-influence.
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ReplyDeleteI hope your dreams came true, Roxana
DeleteEven though it was hard to maintain the habit I love how you didn't give up! And please continue to be a blogger your writing is so interesting and entertaining .
ReplyDelete