Here I Go....

I have been hesitant to start a blog. I don't like sitting at the computer, as I find it to be a black hole for time. Nobody else experiences this phenomenon, I know. Here is my main reason for finally taking the plunge- I have discovered that attempting to go zero waste is difficult in our current culture, and I am thinking that sharing my triumphs and failures with others could be beneficial for both parties. It is my hope that this will be a place where I can offer and receive information about achieving zero waste.


This is my story.

I have always been 'environmentally conscious', recycling all that I can, composting, and carrying around plenty of eco-guilt over things like disposable diapers. I have also been unsuccessfully battling a personal war on crap, as my family of 4 brings stuff in the door at an alarming rate. I realized a while ago that I am the one and only keeper of the crap in our house. If I don't constantly weed through, organize, and shovel crap back out the door, we will be buried in it within a week's time. I have certainly been sick of this job for a while, especially since I have felt helpless to change it. I have mostly been a nagging, annoying voice in the ears of my other family members, telling them that we do not need any more stuff. Surprisingly, this has done little to accomplish any real changes.

About a year and a half ago, I stumbled upon the blog, Zero Waste Home. The author is truly incredible with what she has accomplished and I constantly use her as an inspiration, as well as my main resource for going zero waste. When I first read about zero waste, I immediately became overwhelmed with all of the changes I wanted to make. I had a few days of feeling anxious and stressed, as I began noticing the potentially avoidable waste our family was producing. There was part of me that felt like there was no way I could turn the tide, that there was no way my family would understand how I was feeling and accept some of the changes that going zero waste would require from each of them. I wish I could say that I handled it beautifully by having a calm, rational family discussion that ended with all of us cheerfully running out into the yard to pee and wiping ourselves with fallen leaves. The reality was that I freaked out for a day or two, which freaked out everyone else, and  THEN I began making slow, steady changes towards reducing our waste. 

I have learned that zero waste is not about recycling more. It's about reducing the need to get rid of any type of waste- landfill, recyclables, and even compost. This begins outside the home by not purchasing or accepting items destined for disposal. The first rule of zero waste is refuse (followed by reduce, reuse, recycle).  

I am by no means a zero waste expert. I still don't understand everything about it, but I know I have made significant strides in reducing our family's waste. Over the last year and a half, we've gone from one full 20 gallon bag of landfill waste a week, to less than a gallon. Our recycle bins have also gone from full/overflowing to about 1/4 full each week. Just as important to me, I have noticed a significant improvement in our family's overall health and happiness. I am still trying to locate zero waste alternatives to certain things, but overall, it is rare that I have been unable to find or create a zero waste option to a previously disposal item or habit. I live in Gainesville, Fl, so I will be sharing a lot about the different businesses in my area that offer zero waste options for groceries and other products. I have been pleasantly surprised to find that my town is extremely supportive of waste reduction efforts.

One final word...I am a stay-at-home mom, who has the time and inclination to focus my energy on trying to achieve zero waste in my family. I recognize that this isn't the same for everyone. I'm hoping, however, that the more information I can make available, the easier it will be for others. If trying for zero waste seems impossible, please consider taking even the tiniest of steps towards this goal. It can make a huge difference. For me, I'm finding that working towards zero waste is simply about making small changes in old habits. Each time I make a shift, I realize how silly it was that I never thought more about what I was previously doing. While I'm eager to share all that I've learned as quickly as possible, I will be starting slowly, trying to give a week by week break down of the steps I've taken so far. This feels more manageable to me, and hopefully it will for you too, if you choose to join me in this journey. 

Thanks for stopping by,
Allison