Most mornings, I walk and listen to Tim Ferriss podcasts. I've been a huge fan of his for awhile and sometimes take on an experiment or two that he suggests. In episode #250, Tim answers questions from his fans. One of the questions asked was "How to Become More Confident?" Tim cites a few experiments with one of them suggesting that you lay on the ground for 30 seconds without saying a thing on a crowded street. Another was asking for a 10% discount on your coffee 2-3 times without any background or explanation. The point was to get you to do something different and unconventional to get over fear. Fear of rejection, fear or standing out, fear of looking stupid or uncool, etc.
I thought about doing this as a self experiment, but the more I thought about it, the more I came to realize that I already do this and in retrospect it has improved my confidence level overall.
Alright, let me explain how this all ties in with zero waste practices.
Read moreMy experience with the menstrual cup and how I became a convert to the Diva Cup. My journey to reduce waste continues and this time I’m tackling the monthly flow.
Read moreSince learning about the zero waste movement, I've learned a lot in the past year. I've learned some of the lingo being used. I've learned key takeaways. I've learned the core necessities of a zero waster. While I am not 100% a zero waster (who really is though?), I'm striving to be. Here are some of the lessons I've learned on this journey in an A-Z format. Left side is key phrases I've started to live by and the right side as some of the object essentials.
Read moreHere it is folks, proof is in the numbers.
I've learned that it doesn't cost a lot to switch to a more eco-friendly lifestyle. The key is to recognize what you use the most and find alternatives that are better for the environment. I thought I would do a quick exercise on things I've invested in starting a zero waste or low waste transition and my ROI or in this case, my savings. Now, we may not need to spend any money at all if we are handy and are resourceful. I took 3 of the top items that you can replace today.
Read moreFind tips on how to indulge in Las Vegas while still reducing waste and plastic usage.
Read moreKeep Iceland beautiful, reduce your waste!
One of the things I loved about Iceland was how raw it is. With only 300K inhabitants, it has a lot of untouched land. Lots of open spaces also means lack of stores and restaurants. One has to be prepared especially when driving around the Ring Road. Sometimes, the only source of supplies can be a rest stop which is full of single-use disposable items. While I was not 100% successful in traveling zero waste while in Iceland, I am proud to admit that I survived 6 days travelling around the Ring Road without purchasing a single water bottle. A huge win for me. I also noticed so many opportunities to reduce waste the next time I go there which I am already marking as a future plan.
Read moreThe plastic we use today will outlive us, our children and our grandchildren. Let's not leave that legacy. I've listed some of the popular posts below and recapped other ways we all can reduce our plastic use.
Read moreZero waste and minimalist gifts for the men in your life. Whether it be for Father's Day, birthday or any other celebration.
Read morePortland embodies sustainable travel. Lots of great things happening to reduce waste, use what's local and reuse what's available.
Read moreIs zero waste possible?
To live a life at 100% zero waste as defined by nature is difficult to achieve. We live in a linear economy and our economic growth is tied to consumption. The challenge with this is that we must create something new to ensure our economy prospers. In "Outsmart Waste" by Tom Szaky, he goes through a great explanation of why waste occurs. Waste is a human creation and a human problem. In nature, there is no such thing as waste.
Read moreThe Global Organic Textile Standards (GOTS) ensures that clothing and textiles do not contain allergenic, carcinogenic or toxic chemicals. Companies like Prana, Coyuchi, Syona, Timberland are working towards sustainable practices for their organic clothing and textiles.
Read moreI did not set out to live a plastic free life. I was just tired of having half empty water bottles at home from a bad habit I had of bringing one to the gym and only consuming half of it. I would bring the bottle back and it would sit on the table half empty. In addition, every time I had to take out our recycling bin to the curb, I would get frustrated because any whisper of a wind would send empty bottles flying down the street in addition to our bin being completely full of plastic water bottles that there was no room for other recyclables.
Read moreFurther reading of The Zero Waste Solution provided more alternative solutions to our ever growing waste production. Incinerators are not the answer. Zero-waste to landfill is different from zero-waste. In the book, the author goes on to cite many cities and countries already doing their part to reduce the amount of garbage that it is sent to the landfill. I was not aware that cities like San Francisco are at the cutting edge of reducing waste. I recommend picking up this book to see how other places are doing their part despite many challenges. There isn't necessarily a right way to do it, but from the many examples given, here are the ideal steps to ensure zero waste initiatives are successful.
Read moreWhat exactly is waste-to-energy and is it the solution to our ever consuming and trash generating society?
Read moreNot too long ago, shopping was my past time. I loved browsing. I loved getting things on sale. I loved taking a break and eating Panda Express Chinese food, grabbing a Starbucks Frappucino or an Auntie Ann pretzels. I loved nice shopping bags and would save them. I loved seeing boxes at my doorstep.
All of this changed the more I explored, experimented and read about minimalism, zero waste and healthy food. It was an eye opener. So as of today, I no longer shop to pass the time. Here are the reasons why.
Read moreHere are simple and easy ways to reduce waste and clutter in your home office.
Read morehe average New Yorker generates at least 15 lbs of waste at home and 9 lbs at work. I can attest to the 9 lbs being true. I used to buy breakfast, lunch, snacks and coffee in single-use, plastic containers that are then bagged in plastic. I had my own personal trash bin for goodness sake. I've picked up new habits since then thankfully.
One of the biggest challenges the city of New York has is that it doesn't have a say in what they collect. They don't have a voice in how products are designed, what kind of packaging is being used and therefore, the sanitation department must analyze the trash they collect often to see how their collection and sorting process needs to change. For example, newspapers was one of the most popular items they collected, however, the rise of electronic devices decreased this type of trash. Unfortunately though, internet shopping generated an increase in cardboard boxes which is heavier to transport than newspapers so they had to figure out a way to manage this new kind of waste such as where and how to recycle.
Read moreWhat's the difference between biodegradable and compostable?
Read moreSimple tips to reduce waste while traveling by car or plane.
Read moreTransitioning to a zero waste beauty routine is as easy as going natural. Natural products can be used for multiple parts of the body so you don't need specific products for each part of the body. Making your own reduces waste and harmful chemicals.
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