compost: Starting a compost bin is one of the best things you can do for the environment. 25% of everything Americans throw out is compostable, and 16% of methane emissions are from organics unable to decompose in landfills. Starting a backyard compost is easy. Even if you’re bad at composting, it’s better than not composting...
Fun fact: I live with three roommates. They want to write a rebuttal post titled “Living with a Zero Waster,” which could be pretty cute…. could being the opportune word. My Roommates from Left to Right: Peter, Justin, and Dylan I’ve read a lot of emails from people lamenting their roommate situations. They feel as though...
I love my pup more than anything. But, going zero waste with a dog has been challenging. I would like for you to meet my fluff ball, Nala. We rescued her at one, and she has severe separation anxiety so we do almost everything as a family. She comes to work, out to eat, and even...
I’ve been wondering what my life would be like if I didn’t live in California? What if I didn’t have access to bulk bins? How would my life be different? I grew up in the South, and I’m very aware of the lack of opportunities to make packageless purchases, and environmentally friendly options in general. ...
Due to the recent Climate Talks in Paris, I thought I should go through my trash. I’ve recently been terrified by the red smog alert in China. I can’t imagine living in a world like that, can you? It got me thinking about the cost of convenience. It’s very convenient to ship everything to your...
Upcycling is great. It diverts something from the waste stream and turns it into a new, useful object. I, however, find a lot of D.I.Y. upcycling projects to be kinda tacky. They take an extra crafty soul that isn’t, as much as I’d like for it to be, in me. I don’t have the patience,...
I know I promised a dessert recipe today, but we’ve been talking a lot about Thanksgiving. I’m sure by now you know it’s my favorite holiday. All the while, I’ve been ignoring my least favorite holiday – Black Friday. Picture from travelerstoday.com An entire day devoted to consumerism. Let that sink in. It’s devoted to...
Zero waste is becoming more main stream. With that, a slew of new people are looking for the line. And, I would like to address an issue that’s been popping up. Never, ever, ever let your ideals stand in the way of your health. Get the medicine. Buy the sunscreen. Prep for disasters. One of the main reasons...
So, I’ve been getting this question a lot. “What can I do as a college student?” I graduated 3 years ago – eek! But, I think I remember it well enough. I double majored in Musical Theatre and Mass Communications. So, I was around campus and involved a bit. Regrettably, I drank a lot of sweet...
Do you guys go to work? I spend roughly a 1/3 of my week in an office type setting. Then I spend about 1/4 of my time at the theatre, but I’m assuming most of you relate more to an office setting. I work at a print shop. There’s lots of machinery, an office up...
I love my birthday. I don’t love getting older, but I really love being the center of complete attention for one day. (Maybe that’s why I wanted to be an actor?) My birthday fell on a Sunday which meant a whole weekend of whatever I wanted to watch or eat, and never having to get...
My generation is known for sitting behind the computer screen where we’d rather “like” than interact. We’re complacent but pat ourselves on the back because it feels like we’ve made a difference. I would highly encourage you to find a project that gets you out of your comfort zone. Interact with other people and fight...
We all know the mantra, “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” right? Well, I’d like to throw in another “R” word – Refuse. Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle It’s an amazingly simple concept to keep in mind: “What comes into your space must leave your space.” Only you can control what comes into your space (unless of course, it’s...
I love my little kitchen. It’s small, but it works for me. I would love a huge, bright, beautiful Pinterest kitchen, but this one is perfect none the less. This is where I store most of my dry goods. Pasta, nuts, legumes, sugar, granola, chocolate, cookie jars, popcorn, potatoes, onions, and garlic. The kitchen doesn’t...
So, I know this is what you’ve all been waiting for – the big reveal. How much trash have I made since starting this journey? There are lots of stickers stuck together that I could not pull apart. I hope I can upcycle the twist ties. This does not include anything I’ve had before going...
Fall is right around the corner. The summer is winding down. Peaches and strawberry stands are having their last hurrahs. Apples and grapes are starting to appear. The air is stagnant and hot waiting for the cool winds of September to blow it all away. I briskly walk 6 blocks to my new favorite place...
Summer is winding down, and I still haven’t made it to the beach. Life has been filled with moving, building, and creating. I have had the wonderful opportunity to be in another production with Shakespeare in the Park. This year’s touring production is Macbeth. We will be closing Saturday. Our final stop is the graveyard...
Have we talked about my shopping addiction? It was probably apparent when I mentioned that I owned over 200 dresses. I broke my shopping habit long before going zero waste, but joining the movement has definitely helped reinforce it. I have conditioned myself out of buying clothing as a hobby. Unfortunately, when I purchase anything...
I dream of clucking chickens, romping goats, and an overloaded greenhouse. Saturday mornings filled with hunting eggs, milking goats, and plucking seasonal produce. Long afternoons will be filled with canning the harvest, whipping butter, culturing yogurt, and some experimental cheese making. Lush strawberries will hang down trellises, tomatoes so plump they droop towards the bottom...
Growing up I would microwave my Chinese takeout in Styrofoam, load up plastic Tupperware with leftovers, eat individual plastic wrapped snacks with lunch, and grab water bottles on the golf course. Of course, I would throw all of this into a landfill without a second thought. But, I also didn’t realize the harm I was...
