Going Zero Waste for a Month: Join me for the challenge?

Within the last couple of days I stumbled upon something that really changed my thinking.

I came across this Google (video is below) talk from Bea Johnson of the Zero Waste Home.

Whenever I am working posting items on my Etsy shop or working online in other projects I like to listen to a talk online, I love searching for Bell Hooks Q & As.

I don't remember exactly how I landed on this Zero Waste talk by Bea Johnson, but I did, and when I saw her lifestyle I was blown away.

Johnson lives in a home that hardly produces any trash, all of her family's trash for a year fits within a large mason jar.

I consider myself an environmentalist, and lately I have become disillusioned with recycling, since learning that only 20% of plastics ever get recycled, and how ineffective and expensive recycling programs in most cities are.

Now, besides this lifestyle being Earth friendly it is also very affordable. The affordability of this amazes me. Lately I have gained more control of my spending, and I have come to see money as the valuable resource that it is.

I trade my valuable time and non-renewable resources in order to earn money, and I want that money to last and last.

I have always been aware of packaging, but oh boy watching this talk makes me realize how packaging is everywhere! My fridge is full of packaged food.

All of this packing is doing is: 

1. ruining the environment by being tossed and most likely not recycled

2. making products cost more

So, I have decided that for the month of January I will go Waste Free. These are the rules I have set for myself:

1. Use up everything you already have (shampoo, conditioner, dish soap, etc)

2. When it is time to replace an item I need: try to make item or buy in bulk.

This is going to be fun and I will share my steps in this blog!

Have you ever heard of Zero Waste Living? If so, let me know your thoughts.