Top 10 things to know before you go Zero-Waste

Beginner’s Guide to Zero-Waste:

Top 10 things to know before you go Zero-Waste

BY: Dawn Francom

Before adapting to a Zero Waste lifestyle, all I thought about was the end game. How much waste I wouldn’t be producing, and how amazing that would make me feel. To no longer contribute to this negative “norm”. In reality however, I was greatly unprepared for what may lay ahead. I knew this was what I wanted, and just figured that everything would eventually fall into place. Boy oh boy was I wrong. I started following more groups online, and began to read more blogs (so many blogs!) than I ever had before; in an effort to take away some of the guess work involved. I had read so many helpful hints, tips and tricks on the subject from some wonderfully creative people, but there was still a few things missing. I realized that there’s a bunch of stuff that either doesn’t or rarely gets mentioned before you take the dive. So I spent some time reflecting on my journey, and figured out the top 10 things that I would have loved to know BEFORE committing.

1-) People will look at you weird. Now I’m not one to really care what others think of me, I just noticed how often now I get the raised eyebrow of confusion. Just like any ‘alternative’ lifestyle it’s something to expect. Some people aren’t comfortable with things outside their norm and that’s okay. It’s important to remember that this is YOUR life, not theirs. Eventually the looks will stop, or you’ll begin to ignore them (as I have) all together.

2-) Be prepared to talk about your choices A LOT! When you mention anything about making the transition to a Zero-Waste lifestyle, it’s going to spark some interest. Environmental issues have created such a buzz (finally!), that any reference of a new green topic is sure to capture interest. In my experience, people want to be aware of new movements to judge whether or not it’s something they’d feel comfortable with joining.

3-) You’ll develop a new fascination for mason jars. I LOVE jars now! Big ones, small ones, oddly shaped and unique, any time I see a new jar, I just get super excited! I have a tendency of planning ahead and picture them on my shelves, or in my drawers and full of stock, wondering what they’d look like. I just love em’! GAH!!

4-) You’ll start getting creative with your solutions. Legit, you’re going to MacGyver everything! It’s really encouraged my creative side and I can’t get enough. So many things that I could have been doing forever, only started now. I’ve never felt like I can’t have something since I refuse plastic of any kind. I just get encouraged to think of an alternative. More often than not, there’s a solution!

5-) You’ll cook more than you ever have before. I love cooking and my family loves my cooking! So no negatives on my end. My fella however, he doesn’t enjoy cooking elaborate meals like I do. Although, I have noticed things he does are super simple and easy for even the simplest meals. He batch cooks quite often. He’ll plan ahead, and with the effort of prepping slightly more than 1 meal, he’ll make 5 in advance and freeze them. I love this, it makes it almost as though their pre-made meals from the store, but not. Their way healthier and just as easy.

6-) Goodness gracious, the dishes! The more you cook and work on Do-It-Yourself projects, you better believe the dishes will easily double, if not, triple. Their worth it though. Just have to keep in mind how many pollutants you’re keeping out of your food, products and life in general. A little elbow grease is a small price to pay for that level of health.

7-) You’ll start to save loads of cash. Buying a good quality reusable product that will last for years, will always beat out the high price of constantly buying single use items. What’s better, buying a reusable coffee mug and making your coffee at home or paying 3$ per refill at least once a day, for years. To me, the choice is simple.

8-) You learn to think ahead and become better at planning. Being forced to think ahead for my meals has overflowed into other aspects of my life. Now when I go out, I think about what I’ll be doing, or even what the night may hold. Try to come up with many possibilities and just bring along with me what I’ll need. If I know I’ll be going to lunch with a friend, I bring along my own container foe example. Just in case I bring home leftovers. It eliminates the need of the take home container. Honestly though, as a result of practicing my organization, my life has become so much more efficient. My goals and dreams are slowly becoming my reality.  

9-) You’ll become more assertive. Seeing as how this movement has not caught on everywhere, you must insist sometimes on things you want. If you were to go to a restaurant while having a food allergy, you would insist and make sure they understood before-hand, so that you don’t have a reaction. This is a bit like zero wasting. Make sure people know what you want (no straws, no wax paper, no plastic cups to serve sauce). Make sure they understand your needs before you order and everything should go smoothly. Be assertive, confident, direct and firm, never rude. This process has taught me how to have authority over myself and what I want. Which has easily transferred over to other parts of my life as well.

10-) Not everyone wants to change. You can’t expect them to either. You can only be responsible for yourself, not others. You may not like their choices, but their entitled to live their lives the way they wish, the same way you are. I have to really stress this one here. Remembering this has really calmed me down and has kept me sane. I am only responsible for myself; and even though sometimes it may not seem worthwhile to continue putting in so much effort, while others around you don’t. It is! Don’t give up! What you’re doing matters and will make a difference! You started for a reason, just keep remembering those reasons. I seriously believe that this is the way of the future and eventually, more and more people are going to join the movement. It’s already starting, slowly, but surely.

Never in my life could I have imagined the amount of effort it would take to become a part of this movement. I also never thought that my simple actions would be so freaking rewarding either! I’ve learned so much along the way and intend to keep learning. This entire process has really given me a new way to look at life and my surroundings. Which I otherwise wouldn’t have. I am exactly where I want to be, and hope that you also feel encouraged to give it a go!

If you enjoyed this blog, head over and like my page Live Waste Free on Facebook for daily tips and tricks to becoming Zero-Waste.

Ode to a Menstrual Cup

Live Waste Free: The beginners guide to Zero- Waste

By Dawn Francom

Ladies... This one’s for you!

Most people shy away from the mention of menstruation, but then again, I’m not most people. There’s been a growing number of issues with our monthly visit, environmentally speaking. Tampons and sanitary pads not only contain dangerous chemicals that can seriously affect your health[1]; but they’re a problem on the environment as well. Disposable feminine products may not be seen after use, but they’re certainly not gone. They land in our water ways and landfills causing issues with the ecosystem. Plastic in both products (that’s right, even your tampons are full of plastic, from applicator and the wrapping, to the actual cotton tampon) takes years, even decades to decompose. Piling up higher and higher with nowhere to go. Now it’s time to ask ourselves a serious question… what’s a lady to do?

I can remember the first time I saw a Menstrual Cup. I was 12 years old and on vacation. A family friend pointed it out and attempted to explain what it does and how it works. I definitely did not understand what she was saying, but I remember being completely repulsed by the idea. Which is a shame that, even way back then, I followed modern marketing schemes. Through the commercials or billboards I’ve seen, tampons and sanitary pads were the way to go. These “disposable” products that had to be bought monthly were seemingly my only options. This way of thinking led me to believe that any alternative (including the menstrual cup) was unsanitary, unhygienic and just plain yucky. If I can’t dispose of it, then what DO I do with it?! Fast forward to now, where I absolutely love my cup.

It wasn’t a very long transition from tampon to cup. Within the first cycle of using it, I was completely hooked. A friend had reintroduced it to me late last year. She started using it and gave it an amazing review. The way she described its simplicity and effectiveness made me want to try it. Using it myself really gave me a new appreciation for the product. Here are my top reasons to try and keep using a menstrual cup.

It’s super delicate and non-harmful. Tampons absorb everything, not just menstrual fluid. This causes the sensitive tissues of our vaginas to get really dry and uncomfortable.  I never really noticed the discomfort until AFTER I started using the cup, but it is apparent now. The super rare occasions I have to use a tampon (and I mean RARE) it’s an instant realization of the differences between the two.

You manipulate it way less. The cup can hold up to 12 hours. That’s twice a day you have to empty it. Twice. That’s it. Versus a tampon or pad which is every 4-6 hours. Sometimes in a busy day, you may not have a chance to get to a washroom. This product takes away the worry. If I can’t get to it until after my shift, so be it. Nothing bad is going to happen.

You save cash. And I mean… lots of it! My cup cost me about 40$ with tax and will last over 5 years with proper care (that’s on the low end, some last way longer). That versus my old spending an average of 10$ every month. It doesn’t sound like such an expense, but when you look at the math it adds up quickly: 10$ a month - 120$ a year - 600$ over the lifetime of a menstrual cup. 600$ is a lot of money that I’d rather spend doing fun things. Not having to buy feminine hygiene products.

Chemical Free. Menstrual cup companies don’t hide behind regulation and laws, they tell you exactly what is in the product. This is because they have nothing to hide from us. The Diva Cup for example, states on their website exactly how their product is made. They also ensure that the silicone the product is made from does not leach into our bodies. Even after it’s been boiled to sterilize (an option). They still ensure that harmful chemicals will not affect our bodies[2]. Now considering how many chemicals (daily) we put into, onto or keep around our bodies. I think it’s nice to have one less worry.

Better Environmentally. Hands down! As I’ve mentioned, the waste from our regular products is becoming a problem. Not only in the actual product, but also in the hidden aspects. Transportation and product packaging are something we often forget but are just as destructive. The average woman will throw away up to 300 pounds of these products over their lifetime[3]. Multiply that by how many women there are in the world who are using these products. Why continue in this negative pattern when we have alternatives?

Now ladies, it’ up to us to make this change. You now know how I feel, but try it out for yourselves! No need for hesitation anymore, the proof is really in the pudding. It was one of my most positive changes and I’m so happy I did it! My only regret is that I didn’t start using it sooner.

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[1]  http://www.intimina.com/blog/healthy-period-tampons-safe-use/

[2] http://divacup.com/about-us/quality-and-standards/

[3] http://www.thechicecologist.com/2010/04/the-environmental-impact-of-everyday-things/

Zero-Waste School Lunches

Live Waste Free: The beginners guide to Zero-Waste living

By Dawn Francom

It’s that time of year again friends! BACK TO SCHOOL, and with back to school comes back to school lunches (Gosh I love food!). Now let’s think for a second. Does your kid’s lunch look like mine used to: plastic bagged sandwiches, plastic forks and spoons, juice box, individually wrapped cheese string and granola bars. Seem familiar? I have no hard feelings towards my parents for these types of lunches, of course, both being single parents, environmental awareness wasn’t exactly on their radar. Like most families, they were busy with multiple children, and working full time jobs to support us. However today, awareness is higher than ever. Changes are being made and people are focusing more on the enviro-friendly side of practically everything; including bagged lunches. Breaking the routine is really the hardest part of any change. With the following guidelines, you can turn that ordinary lunch into a Zero Waste lunch.

Juice boxes

The average juice box does not get recycled, between that and the high levels of processed sugar, it’s important we start here. They’re just not good for anyone. The amount of preservatives and chemicals in them are just so unnecessary. Make juice yourself and bottle it in reusable container like “Juice in a Box” or a stainless steel water bottle. Even consider skipping the juice all together and stick to filtered tap water.

Plastic baggies

Try to avoid using them at all by using reusable containers. There’s plenty of options such as stainless steel (instead of glass for kids). It’s washable, reusable and basically kid proof. I wouldn’t feel comfortable sending a 5 year old with a glass jar… we all know that accidents happen, and it can break. Stainless steel is strong enough to let kids be kids. I’d also urge people to avoid plastic as much as possible. Chemicals from the plastic can leach into the food, causing health issues. BPA (Bisphenol A - an industrial chemical used to make hardened plastics and the linings of most canned foods, as well as other products) is one of the most known, but BPA free doesn’t mean that there aren’t other chemicals that won’t cause damage as well. It’s best to avoid them completely.

Plastic utensils

WHY?! Simple solution, send them with regular silverware. Rewash when they get home and send again, saves you cash in the long run instead of spending money on plastics that will most likely end up in landfills. If you don’t want them bringing silverware, there are other options. Sporks for example, made by the good people at bambu organic and sold at Terre à soi located at 3580, rue Ontario Est, Montréal QC. I have one that I love and has found a permanent home in my purse.

Reusable lunch bag

Paper bags and single use plastic sacks are not the way. Reusable lunch bags, boxes, cloth bags, anything is a better option. Again, saving you money and waste at the end of the school year. Plus, if it’s kept in good condition, they can last even longer than a year. I’ve had mine for about 5 years now and it is still going strong.

    

Homemade snacks

SNACKS! Again, I LOVE food… but hate the wrapping that comes with it! Basically any snack aimed at children is in single use plastic packaging. Reduce your need for this by making your own snacks. It’s really not that hard and wayyyy more nutritious! You can actually pick and choose what you want based on preferences. Instead of being encouraged by marketing to choose what they are selling. Granola bars for example, my family can’t get enough of them. I make a vegan version that is packed full of protein, but you can find one that is good for your family. Also taking into consideration allergies. Nut allergies are huge, so why not fully ensure that our snacks are nut free ourselves. Instead of having to search for the no-nut symbol. Try different recipes for different snacks, really figure out what your family likes and will eat. Eventually it will become a habit, and really won’t take that long in the prep work.

Food Waste

Food waste is another issue which is impacting our lives and the environment. Did you know that 30-40%^[1] of the food supply is thrown away every year? That’s a lot of food that could have otherwise gone to feed the hungry.  Only pack your little ones what they will actually eat. Also encourage them to bring home scraps to put into your compost. Most waste in landfills is organic matter and completely compostable, releasing methane (a strong greenhouse gas). Methane gas is one of the big names contributing to climate change. Let’s avoid it as best we can.

Applying these easy to do guidelines to your child’s lunch routine will really add up. Saving you a bunch of money at the end of the school year (who wouldn’t love that!) and saving the environment on our needless waste.

For more tips and tricks, head over and like my page on Facebook called ‘Live Waste Free’. Where you’ll get daily ideas to keep you on the Zero Waste path.

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^[1] http://www.worldfooddayusa.org/food_waste_the_facts