12 ZERO WASTE MYTHS DEBUNKED // hot takes and unpopular opinions about the zero waste movement 

shoutout to gittemary for always being REAL. so many zero waste/low impact/vegan influencers are so focused on being perfect that they forget to be themselves. gittemary is unashamedly herself all the time and i'm HERE FOR IT.

This was very refreshing. Trying to be zero waste comes with a lot of guilt when you can’t always be completely zero waste.

Honestly, I would love for you to do a tour of all the ways you aren't minimalist. "This is our collection of this, here's all of my these" and just show off all the cool stuff you have, because honestly, you have such a neat aesthetic and I'm just so here for the realness

thanks for being so real with us!!!!!!!! especially the point about "do i have to throw away my unsustainable items when going zero waste?" that's one comment i've heard quite a lot, because the sweaters i own are from fast fashion brands from my pre-zerowaste time and people say to me "but why do you wear h&m when you preach sustainability?" but the thing that people don't know is that those are the same four sweaters that i have owned for so long and i haven't purchased a new clothing item in at least two years now... so yeah, you don't really have to throw away your h&m sweaters when going zero-waste, just don't buy any new! :D

As a vegan, I agree with you that if the animal has suffered and died and then the meat is thrown away, that is almost worse. Eating it when it gets to that point in the trash at least doesn't waste their life, suffering and the physical waste of the food.

Yes to all of these points! When I moved into my apartment, I stocked my cupboards with extra secondhand plastic Tupperware I got from my parents instead of buying new containers, which is actually more sustainable since I didn't need to buy new products. Zero waste is a behavior not an aesthetic!

I used to believe that to be successful with a lifestyle I had to have the aesthetic. I’m leaving that idea behind now and doing what feels right rather than what looks “right”

I always remind myself that it’s not about doing everything perfectly, it’s about doing something. Anything. Making the choices that are accessible to me and accepting that the blame does not fall on individuals, but on companies that are not making zero waste a priority over profit

accessible low-waste queen 👑❤ we all needed this video in 2020

Preach, girl :) the one with "just use your old Tupper" aka what you already got is a big one

Thanks for mentioning that a ZW lifestyle does not necessarily incorporate minimalism. Here’s my scene... we live in the 🇨🇦ian wilderness and we are resourceful and creative when it comes to repurposing, repairing, upcycling, etc. We hang onto all kinds of stuff because it might be useful, it might save us a trip to town, and we hate throwing stuff out. So many times I have found things in our basement or my partner’s workshop that is “just right for the task at hand”. Naturally when ya hang onto stuff... well... minimalism fades to the background very rapidly. Thanks for this one Gittemary... love the vibe and the myth debunking 🥰

I feel like you do fit my definition of minimalism. At least how I view it is that you don't have to get rid of all your stuff. You just get rid of the things that don't mean a lot to you so you can focus on the stuff that actually matters to you. Fashion is very important to you so of course you are going to have more clothing items. But say you tried painting and it really wasn't your thing. Find the paint supplies a new home to minimalize your space to focus on the things you enjoy and actually want to spend your space, time, and energy on.

Totally agree with you on the trash jar. You and Shelbizleee actually helped me get out of that perfectionistic zero-waste mindset. and focus on the bigger picture rather than just the physical trash. When I first discovered the zero-waste movement 2 years ago I was just starting my anorexia recovery, and the fixation on the trash jar kinda became my new obsession. Definitely a better obsession than my ED, but it was still horrible for my mental health, and I constantly felt like I was failing and destroying the planet because I produced trash. So thank you for helping me realise that sustainability about more than the physical trash we produce

Awesome video!! Since I’m doing a no spend challenge this year, if I used up something, I check the pantry & apothecary to see if I could make it. This year-deodorant, tooth powder, body butter, lip balm. Turned the chopped up bar shampoo bits into 3 bars. Pantry challenges are also fun. Just takes a little rewiring. I’m 62, totally doable 😁

Your opinion about minimalism x zw x veganism is amazing. I'm extravagant little bit and sometimes I also eat meat (in 90% cases dumbsterdived meat) and my frieds are always joking about it, that I'm not zerowester, when I eat or wear thinks like that.... It's very refreshing to hear normal opinion :D

I'm very torn about going to our bulk store, more often. It's a 45/50 minute drive there, and we can't buy everything we need from there! Our local superstore is only a 5 minute drive, but we do end up getting more things in plastic (like lentils)!! It's such a difficult thing to decide between :(

In fact, I think minimalism and sustainably living can diverge a lot. I mean, I've watched a fair share of minimalism videos and they often set rules like "if you didn't use it for the past year, throw it away" or "if you can get it in less than X money and X time and you don't use it often, throw it". I think this can get very far away from zero waste, you know?

The first point you made about calling oneself zero waste is true! I actually prefer low waste just because yes, I still do produce waste, just trying to lower it! Also, about your point talking about going vegan and all: THANK YOU! I’m vegetarian and I can’t go vegan because my stomach can’t handle certain [vegan] things and it’s sensitive.

Thank you for this video. I have health & mobility issues, sometimes watching zero waste videos I feel like this is an inaccessible journey for me. Your videos always make me feel like I can do it, I can do better at my level with my health issues. Thank you again for talking about ableism online

Your channel is such a vibe, I get so excited when you upload. I literally save them for later and it boosts my mood 💚

I grew up doing some things that are apparently zero waste now haha. I've always turned old shirts into rags to clean with, reused those fruit crates from the supermarket to organize my pantry or fridge, etc. For instance, the times I've bought pears in tall plastic containers, I've reused them as containers for pantry items so I can just pull out the whole thing and make things look more compact. I feel like it's important to take steps here and there without getting too bogged down in the whole perfection thing. 🥰

Thanks that you talked about privilege. I think that is so very important

You're outro message is on point! Keep it up. Anyway, i like listening to your voice, it is soothing haha

I love watching your video's!! They inspire me to be as zero-waste as I can be. Which is not always easy because I still live with my family/college roommates who don't always support this because it's just harder. But like you said, you plant seeds and sometimes my roommate comes home and says she didn't buy an eggplant or something because it was wrapped in plastic and I beam with pride haha. I also love the fact that I can watch all your video's and they never make me feel guilty because I'm not doing it 'as good' as you. Keep doing what you're doing because I really believe this is the way we should handle this big problem!

Love your videos!! Could you do a series reviewing the most polluting/unsustainable/unethical brands. Eg, Nestle, Cocacola, Inditex... and the green-washed companies they run. I think it could be very eye opening !!! Thank you ❤

I’m slowly switching to more zero waste. Shampoo bar, and natural scrub sponge (I can’t remember the name sorry) I mean I have always used reusable bags but I working on being better with it

Love your energy and authenticity! Thanks for speaking the truth about zero waste.

Hey, great information! 💜

Great video! I loved your thoughts about the trash jar being the "supermodel of the zw community." SPOT ON!! Though it also did intrigue me to get involved it is not why I am active in the community either

Amazing! Love everything you talked about!

Loved this video!

you make my favorite zero waste content! thanks for the inspiration :)

Love, love, looooove this one!!! I absolutely agree with every single word. So looking forward to getting your book translated. ❤️❤️❤️

I'm recyclable minimalist lol but I am deffenetly avoiding a lot of plastic bags like on fruit section I just reject it so I get looks in the check outs

Thanks so much for this. It's good to know that perfection is not the endgoal ❤️

I do agree with the time thing. This past semester of grad school I was also working two jobs. I had very little time for myself and when I did I spent it doing leisurely things. I already had a lot of sustainable habits in place so maintaining a lifestyle was not difficult but there are some things I had to do because I just had no time. I got grocery pick up a few times that involve plastic bags, made less things from scratch,

So happy I found you!!!!♥️🌱

your channel is growing!! you're getting closer to 100k!!

Thank so much for all your passion and your honesty in your own journey, so inspiring ❤

I think you are a very down to earth RU-vidr and person! Love your energy❤️❤️

Incredible video! So comprehensive and thoughtful. You answered every question that popped into my head, in order!! Thank you!

We need a few more like you! Your s breath of fresh air! Keep the videos coming! You may influence a lot more people than you can imagine righ now!

This kind of video is why I have fallen in love with your channel. Thank you

Thank you for this! You are so intelligent and inspiring!!

My partner and I are currently living at our parents' and plan to move into our first own apartment. Your videos help us prepare for starting out "zero waste". E.g. we don't have plastic stuff yet that we need to replace. We can start out from scratch and I hope it goes eco!

Very informative. Thank you 💃

This was a very good introductory video to the concept of zero waste!

Lovely video thank you for sharing

OMG girl thank you for being an actual human being. Plus you are not feeding into the hype and visuals of zero waste! I so enjoyed this.

I really love that you name, budget and disabilities❤️ because i try really hard to be less waste but sometimes the community is a little insensitive towards those issues.. thank you for not excluding people❤️ ( i had a kidney transplantation and i have fibromyalgia and some joints are hypermobile.. due to the pain i have less energy but try my or our hardest)

I have followed your channel for about a year and am still obsessed with your content! 🌏 Being kind to the planet is something I feel really strongly about, I have brought myself some second hand clothes and love the fact I can still explore in clothing and still help the environment ✨💚

Hi Gittemary!! I loved your video. I think I’ll share with some of my relatives this Christmas XD

Love this video! I recently started watching you and @shelbizleee on RU-vid. I love both of your content. I am striving to be more sustainable and conscious in my choices. Thank you for continuing to inspire me 🤗🙏🏼✨

I love your videos, you are so kind and smart

Yaaas! Totally with ya! x

Love this

I'm just starting on my learning & researching part of the journey .. This one big thing, for me anyways.. that's going to help me is : I'm not going to be perfect at this .. But, it's better to do some small things then do nothing at all, right? 🤷🏻‍♀️ I saw in the comments on another 0 waste channel... They said to her: Wow , that's not very 0 waste of you, when she was reusing a plastic container, that she always reuses, for instance a plastic coffee container that she had previously .. I am at the tipping point to start achieving a "less" waste household ! TY for all the tips & tricks this far 😊🙏🏻

Hello and merry Christmas.

you are a gift!!! thank you!!!

THANK YOU!!!

Some of my students asked sport-kantines how they could produce less waste and cater vegetarian/vegan options... and they learned that when someone asks for a cheese toast, they take a pre-packaged toasty and TROW AWAY THE PLASTIC AND MEAT! #facepalm Yes, you don't receive the plastic, but the hidden impact and waste is still there. I love that you emphasise that 'using what you have' and 'being mindful' are better place to start and competitive and perfectionist examples can be discouraging. I also agree that is impossible to be absolutely zero waste in the current social structures. That is also what needs to change. We need to create environments in which sustainable choices are made easier.

Number 7 is everythinggg

I love coming back to this video and reminding myself about these hot takes! I completely agree with everything you mentioned and love to remind myself about this regularly. Thank you for being such a wonderful source of information. About the vegan x zero waste crossover. I think it is really interesting to see what people do in correlation to how they started. I have noticed that friends who started with veganism and added zero waste generally wouldn't eat non-vegan products even when they have been saved via dumpster-diving or food-sharing (they'd leave them or try to give them to someone else), but those who started with zero waste and went vegan afterwards seem to have fewer problems with that.

Like always I love your content. Going vegan isn't easy with a meat eating husband and two kids. So we eat vegie 2 - 3 times a week and we buy less meat. Milk comes from a local farm en our eggs are produced by my parents chickens. I know it is not ideal but every effort counts.

I loved your video about the not asthetic aspects of zero waste.

Thanks for lovely video. Being minimalist is not so simply defined. So consider seeing minimalist of they own less than 100 pieces of stuff. I think it is material but also mental, and when it goes thru all your life choices, you keep all essential but understand that some are just excess and no use. For me not is just simplifying my life, and many level it is close to zero waste ideas.

We buy eggs and milk from our neighbour. They have chickens and some cows. They are very healthy and well cared. Do you think this is sustainable and fine to do so?

thank you!! this is such a great vid. Just want to leave this here about the plastics since i know in my area bulk is really rare and zero waste seems impossible to everyone but me (so it seems ;v;'' i'm naturopathic btw ). So i can't really zero plastic out of my life but i sure as heck try my best not to use any tupperware or plastic container for food and/or drink and recycle any and all plastics i get myself. why i don't use plastics for food: (besides the plastic bag it came in D':) 1.) Since plastic/ tupperware containers contain false estrogens and shed plastic particles into your food/drink it really isn't safe even if the gov "deemed" it to be. The fake estrogens end up replacing the real estrogens in your body since your body can't tell the dif between the real or fake ones. Causing hormone imbalances and other damage and well you're eating plastic.....that gets lodged in the gut....=A=;; 2.) Plastic is porous so it retains flavors, smells, and particles of everything you put in it....... so like ew THO old tupperware, plastic bags (even from food bags or tp. just like wash em ya know), plastic soap/ shampoo containers (i steal my fams since i don't buy anything in containers like that anymore) and anything else plastic can be recycled at home with just a little determination and creativity. I make plarn with any and all plastic bags, norm store supplies in the tupperware that still has lids and turn the bottles into lamps, wall holders, ect. hope this tidbit of info helps people leave NEW plastic in the dirt and please remember i didn't make this change overnight it's been years of learning and replacing with glass or other non porous containers. PLEASE RECYCLE and try to do it yourself so you know 100% that its not going to the dump. Happy zero wasting! sorry for the long comment! happy holidays and can't wait to see more content from you!

I have been trying to tell people that these things are myths and not true but it is very reassuring hearing them for you! :)

Great video! Can't speak for everyone, but as an environmental science and sustainability major, I definitely agree that it's impossible for anyone to be completely zero waste. All living beings have to consume and produce waste to exist. This looks different for every species, and even among various human cultures, but we will always produce some amount of waste. The goal is to produce less waste, particularly less harmful waste. "Zero" waste is an incredibly misleading phrase

Hey! I would love if you did a video about sustainability and owning pets!

I just saw, you have a leaf shave and a safety razor. Which one do you prefer?

Thank you for your hard work, it is highly appreciated :)

Yep. It's amazing what we have seen change thanks to consumer choice and action. It DOES matter.

2021.. Just wanted to give a Shout Out to Starbucks. I don't shop there often maybe once a year? Anyways in my neighborhood we have what is called A Blessing Box, its neighbor helping neighbor have non perishable food you aren't using? Donate, need food, take it no questions asked. Starbucks contacted the lady who is in charge of maintaining the food box and gave her a huge donation of their breakfast sandwiches not sure if they ordered too many? but for whatever reason they couldn't use them also boxes and boxes of banana's. So they put out the word Come and Get it on our neighborhood network so that no food went to waste. I picked up some and took some to a elderly 82 year old neighbor. I wish more fast food places would do things like this instead of throwing food away. Anna In Ohio.

Can you do electronic and rental issues related to zero waist?

Definitely not everyone can go zero waste. A lot of it hinges so much on where you live, too. And the pandemic of course. ugh :(

14:37 Gittemary is that an amiibo shelf 👀 or painted mini figures

I know prescription medicine needs to be kept a certain way,but in the uk they used to be in recyclable or reusable glass bottles. Now they all seem to come in blister packs. I keep looking at my new asthma inhaler,and wondering whether I will just get a canister next time or another canister/mouthpiece combo. It seems so wasteful.

And sometimes people asking me why so I tell them I'm minimalist so they look funny. My shower routine is now maibly soups so no liquid bottles. But the soup came in paper lol

For those who don't want to be vegan but want to be a conscious consumer, find a local farm that raises grass-fed meat (you can also look into the environmental impacts of grass-fed, it's arguably better for the environment than veganism). The one I buy from gives it to you frozen and nothing is wasted. Plus the price point is higher so I'm naturally consuming less meat. That way I'm supporting a small business instead of a factory farm. Mine also does a CSA which is a great way to support small farms.

Thank you for a really interesting video. I'm hoping you can answer something that I've been wondering for quite some time. And it's about toothbrushes! Everytime I see a video a out sustainability I see toothbrushes made out of wood. I understand that wood is better than plastic since it's a nature material and that can be "brought back to the earth" in the long run. But... that takes time. Can we use wood for all our consumables, since we should replace the toothbrush every month? I'm thinking that old plastic can at least be meltet down and be reused. Or isn't that possible with the hard plastic that for example toothbrushes are made of? I hope you understand my question. Maybe it's silly thinking when I see your answer. I'm really trying to learn the "why" behind it all so I can make better choices.

i honestly don't like minimalism, because every time i give away something i don't use almost always around that time i happen to need this item)

I'm an ex-full time vegan (I'm allergic to soy and latex; which means NO avocados, bananas, and several other fruits and veggies, but there are other reasons I can't do it full time), but still like to eat vegan meals and snacks. But kudos to you on saying it's better to eat meat that is already butchered and ready to go than just throw it away. If the nation became vegan en mass, then this IS an issue they will have to face.

hey gittemary, could you do a video on the pros and cons of carbon offsetting?

first one ahahah! ily

Where can I buy those toothpaste tabs and bamboo toothbrushes?

I am not a vegan but I do get all my meat from our local butcher which has pasture cows and i don't support factory farming at all.

I try to be 100% cruelty free in the bathroom and kitchen and i am successful 95% of the time. I am still looking for a hair color that is not tested on animals and if i have 10 quests over, i cant always buy grass fed, outside kept meat. I feel so guilty even when i do it right most of the time.

Somehow I feel like the only "zero waste" thing about me is that I don't use rubber bands because I'm deathly allergic. I've been becoming better about things but never great about anything when it comes to zero waste

Yes, absolutes are troublesome. FYI, if you ever cease to produce waste, you should see a physician and may require a colonoscopy.

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Ooh, a German train station 😀🥰 Greetings from Germany 😊

✌️🌱🌻💚👑

The meat we eat is almost only venison that my brother and grandpa hunt on our land which I feel pretty good about considering in central wi there are a lot of deer and there isnt any wasted resources to farm them 🤷‍♀️

Solidu! 🥰 soliducosmetics.com/

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