Zero Waste Challenge

How to be Zero Waste: Challenge Review

This is my Zero Waste challenge review.

But first, let’s talk about the problems I encountered.

To get anywhere in life, you need to accept that you are the problem.

Seriously…

You can’t make new friends, lose weight or stop a reoccurring fangirl binge on your favourite TV series, unless you admit it is a problem.

What I mean by this is, you need to admit that you are defining yourself as the problem.

For example. A Youtube tangent isn’t the reason you have less study time, the problem is your procrastination. Turning up later for work because you slept through the sound of the alarm isn’t your alarms fault, it is yours for not getting enough sleep.

THE REASONS PEOPLE FAIL AT THE ZERO WASTE LIFESTYLE

  • People don’t know how to handle the confrontation with cashiers, family, and friends
  • Uncertain of where and how to shop Zero Waste
  • Financial budget doesn’t allow for bulk purchases or health store produce
  • Give into temptation or impulse buys
  • Lack of preparation, e.g not taking a reusable water bottle out with them
  • Short for time to travel to farmers markets

WHY YOU SHOULD BE ZERO WASTE

  • Unlock self-development and confidence
  • Prevent further environmental damage
  • You become more open to people. You will want to share your Zero Waste habits with others in the hope they think twice about their household waste 
  • You feel humble and proud when you see the achievements you have made
  • Save money (this can depend on your diet and location)
  • You become healthier. You stop purchasing fast food and make your own meals

Let’s take a look at a common failure at the Zero Waste lifestyle:  

Example: You are out in your local shopping centre and feel really thirsty. It’s close to the end of the month and you don’t have the money to go to a cafe and sit in to have a drink. You are faced with the option to buy a bottle of water for 18p, or you spend money that you shouldn’t and visit a cafe, or go without until you get home.

But really, the problem is your preparation.

You weren’t prepared to bring a drink out with you.

If you are ever in that example situation, please don’t go without to live up to the Zero Waste name. (Purchase a cheap disposable drink if it would prevent a bad health situation, just remember to reuse the water bottle for a craft project.)

Without this post sounding like a therapy session, I’m sure you understand where I am coming from?

Zero Waste Tip: Identify the problem, remove yourself from the problem, then find a way to prevent… Click To Tweet

ZERO WASTE CHALLENGE REVIEW

I encountered lots of problems during my Zero Waste challenge. Unexpected visits from family members with none recyclable cake packaging, a poor amount of Zero Waste alternatives in my local area, and a forgetful packaged sandwich.

There were also many shocking moments. My partner purchased 7 slices of roasted ham for £12 because in his words, “It was the only Zero Waste alternative.” and my experience with the cheese lady. [click here]

Despite every hurdle that crossed my path, I was productive to find a way to get over that hurdle.

I live in a town that seems to be the town of disposable packaging. Therefore, finding loose produce or buying in bulk is difficult.

My Zero Waste purchases that aren’t bulk buys but are eco-friendly:

I purchase flour from Aldi because it’s cheap and the packaging can be recycled. I was prepared to order bulk bags of flour online, however, I don’t want to pay £20 for a bulk bag when I can purchase the same amount of flour for 45% less.

Pets at Home used to sell loose dog food, you could weigh out exactly what you needed and take the food home in your own containers. Unfortunately they now only sell loose dog treats. Although, I found that by purchasing Wagg dog food, my border collie loves me more and the packaging can be recycled easily.

Even better, I reuse the Wagg packaging as potato planters.

Overall, the only way to accomplish living Zero Waste in the UK is to grow what you eat, purchase food from a farm shop and take advantage of the second-hand stores.

THE MOMENT YOU’VE BEEN WAITING FOR

Ladies and Gentlemen, the moment you’ve all been waiting for…
Leafeco’s 2 month Zero Waste challenge results…

Zero Waste challenge, leafeco.co.uk

This is my trophy of my Zero Waste accomplishment. Even though the jar is close to being crammed shut, it is my reward for helping the environment 2 months at a time.

Looking at my jar, I can identify where my waste came from and strive for a packaging free future.

A lot of my packaging waste once stored frozen produce. The packaging was made to withstand freezing temperatures, so I use this to my advantage. 

At the moment, I am reusing Hovis bread bags to store meat and vegetables. I use bull clips and paper clips to secure the bags to make sure no air gets to the food inside.

Overall, it hasn’t been easy. There are still a lot of alternatives I am looking out for, but I am prepared to get over this disposable packaging problem we have over here in the UK.

Tell me in the comments what problems you face in your Zero Waste lifestyle?

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