Tips and tricks for living a waste-free life
By Julia Berkman
Do you keep tabs on your trash? We all produce more than you might think.
Gwen Larned has kept all the trash she produces over a few months in one place — a 32oz glass jar. And she isn’t alone. All over the world, people are radically changing their lifestyles to produce only 5% of the waste of the average consumer. I sat down with Gwen to learn a bit about her lifestyle, and how the average college student can also live a minimally wasteful life.
The first and most obvious question I had was this: What do you eat? Gwen told me that the co-op has a bulk bin for everything you could ever need. You bring your own containers and can get staples like pasta, flour and olive oil. The co-op has worked very hard to become a zero waste-encouraging facility. Almost everything Gwen eats, she cooks herself. This has encouraged her to try new recipes. She even makes her own toothpaste.
If you’re not much of a chef, it’s important to note that nearly all the food sold on campus is packaged in recyclable or compostable containers. Even campus receipts are made with BPA-free paper, which means they can be composted. Off campus, pickings are far more slim.
If you’re looking to be less wasteful in your life, Gwen suggests looking for bag-in-a-box things. The double packaging in cereals, granola bars, et cetera are doubling your waste production. Instead, you can usually buy these items in a bulk bin or make your own.
Another great way to stay eco-friendly is to use reusable packaging whenever available. Mason jars, plastic containers and washable food packaging can ferry your lunch and coffee to and from school.
On Western’s campus, you get 10 cents off if you bring your own reusable cup when buying coffee. At this point, plastic water bottles aren’t even sold on campus anymore, so that’s a bit of a non issue. Still, remain eco-conscious when eating out too. If you’re offered a receipt that isn’t recyclable or compostable, don’t accept it. If you eat takeout, be ready to reuse the plastic containers they come in.
One of the most important tips Gwen shared with me was to become a master DIY-er. There are tips and tutorials on how to upcycle or make your own version of almost everything. Gwen, for instance, makes her own granola bars and toothpaste. Cooking all her meals at home have made her a better chef with a wider palette.
Whenever she discusses her zero-waste lifestyle. Gwen acknowledges her own privilege as a person with enough income for her endeavors. Not everyone can live the attentive and arduous lifestyle she does.
Even if you can’t afford to make large adjustments in your life, this article provides some tips and tricks for making a small dent in your pollution.
“The greatest thing about giving something up is that you’re forced to get creative,” Gwen said.
ABOVE: Waste from cardboard containers is one of the biggest problems faced by people trying to reduce their trash. Photo by Janna Bodnar // AS Review