Like many of us, I am becoming more conscious of what I consume and how I can reduce my footprint. Every single bit of plastic ever made still exists. And I contribute to this, so I’m trying to do something about it. As a result, I’ve slowly been building up my zero waste collection and have discovered some problems along the way. Going zero waste can be time consuming and expensive, it’s definitely not an overnight process.
To give you a better idea, here is a breakdown of some things I’ve bought in order to reduce my waste: (disclaimer these were bought gradually over a long period of time)
Stretchy reusable lids (cling film/tin foil alternative) - £2.79 for 6
Reusable water bottle - £14.99
Metal straws - £4.95 for 8
Face cloths (cotton pad alternative for removing makeup) - £5
Bees Wrap - I got mine for around £15 for 3 but there’s some cheaper ones on eBay
Reusable cup - £7.50
Net shopping bags - c£4 for 3 - these can be used as alternatives to the small plastic bags on offer at supermarkets to pack loose fruit and veg in, I got mine from Sainsbury's but this link is the closest I can find for reference.
Jute bag (instead of a plastic carrier bag) £6.99
As you can see the majority of these things are reasonably priced on their own but the cost really begins to add up.
If you’re someone who menstruates, switching to reusable products can make a massive difference. The average person uses 11,000 disposable period products in their lifetime. Mooncups cost £20.95 directly from their website but thankfully they are available for free from Potterrow in 2 different sizes (and possibly in other public places now thanks to Scotland’s new law!). As for period pants, they can cost upwards of £15 a pair. Yes these are all investments that will end up saving money in the long term, but I can’t help wondering how these products are going to become mainstream when they’re inaccessible for so many. There’s a reason why single use products are the norm, they’re cheap and convenient.
Of course the most sustainable thing to do is simply just to stop buying so much, use and reuse what you already have. However, many of our daily ‘necessities’ have non recyclable packaging, and finding a sustainable alternative isn’t always easy. This is why we need system change. Individual actions are important but we need a zero waste system - a circular economy. The current capitalist system of consumerism is inaccessible and not made for zero waste. ‘Green’ consumerism isn’t what we should be striving for. We need to stop consuming so much in the first place. Therefore, on top of individual action we need to pressure our governments and corporations - hold them to account, call them out constructively, tell them what they can do better. After all, they’re the ones who are largely responsible for the climate crisis and the ones with the money and power to change the system. Achieving zero waste as a society is possible.
It’s easy to get overwhelmed and feel the pressure to be 100% zero waste immediately but this simply isn’t feasible for everyone. In the words of Anne-Marie Bonneau: ‘We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.’ Swapping those few disposable cups for a keep cup will make a difference. Personally, I’m still far away from zero waste but that’s ok. Whatever you do, don’t just buy a load of new ‘eco friendly’ things for the sake of it, only replace the things you currently use that are unsustainable. Individual change is important but don’t lose sight of the bigger picture - hold yourself and others to account and change the system.