The zero waste movement has gained significant momentum in recent years as people continue to consider the environmental impact behind their everyday actions. The movement has especially gained traction on social media, where zero-waste influencers are offering “days in the life.” They film themselves at the grocery store filling mason jars with water, stuffing food into canvas totes, and drinking drinks through metal straws. In total, they can fit a year’s worth of trash in one mason jar. This takes less than a day for the average consumer to fill. But if you think deeply about what a zero-waste lifestyle means, is it actually beneficial for the environment?
The reusable items behind the zero waste movement often have a much higher carbon footprint than traditional plastic products. For example, a tote bag would need to be used 7,100 times to offset the carbon dioxide from a traditional plastic bag. You would need to use a glass straw 45 times to offset the carbon footprint of a plastic straw. But you have to wonder whether the average consumer would carry the same tote bag 7,100 times while grocery shopping. Additionally, many zero-waste influencers are showcasing vast collections of these items, so are you wondering if “reusable items” are truly eco-friendly or just to fit social media aesthetics? The question arises as to whether it is intended to be presented as environmentally friendly.
There are many aspects of the zero waste movement that truly benefit the environment. This lifestyle focuses on creating compost bins that reduce landfill waste and create nutrient-rich soil for gardening. This not only reduces various forms of waste, but also promotes sustainable behavior and biodiversity. The movement also has many DIY solutions, such as making your own beeswax wraps, beauty products, and cleaning products, which can significantly reduce your carbon footprint at a fraction of the cost. Additionally, many stores charge for single-use plastic bags and offer discounts to those who bring reusable bags, so despite the initial cost, invest in reusables over time. That’s actually economically advantageous.
While the zero waste movement itself may be too focused on social media interpretations, the movement is most effective in encouraging consumers to engage in environmental stewardship. As people start embracing this lifestyle, new sustainable avenues open up, such as creating a garden from your own compost. Most importantly, the movement emphasizes reducing, rather than reusing, when purchasing new items. Rather than buying a new set of utensils, just wash the plastic utensils you bought at the grocery store or reuse plastic shopping bags. Of course, going green doesn’t have to be an aesthetic lifestyle. It can be boring and requires intentional thought in every small action taken in every aspect of life.
