Hey Rachel, that's awesome that you are 15 and interested in green living. don't limit yourself. You can write letters to your government. Ask stores to change, do class projects on green living. Focus on the things you CAN control. Bring your own water bottle to school. Say no to straws. It's the little things that add up 💚
I bought a reusable cup for coffee (came in plastic though 😭) (+am a coffee addict too) and everyone is asking about it and being curious. I think the cafeteria lady at uni knows me as the « ecologist » girl because she always asks for my cup first😂 For example I say no to water if it comes in plastic, I have reusable bags, my own forks... and my friends are witnessing all of that. I feel like I influence them even if they don’t do exactly what I do.
Reusable cups are actually a great starting point to show people around you that reducing your waste is easy and can also be cool, especially if they come with cute design etc. I honestly cannot wait for the day to come when being eco is actually gonna be cool and trendy and cool kids are gonna start posting online pics of their zero waste groceries and cool unique second hand clothes instead of doing clothes and makeup hauls lol.
I love that you point out that there are more environmental issues besides waste and that we can contribute to making the world better in more than one way. I would love to see a video about environmental issues that we may not be aware of.
I’m new to your channel and so glad I found it! At the moment I’m “infinite waste” with all the hoarding and shopping I do. But I want to change my ways, I don’t want to do this anymore. I want to be the good in the world 🌎
I started feeling like you a couple of months ago and I was a total hoarder and lived in the clutter of my crazy shopping and overspending. I’m now learning to spend consciously and mindfully and have decluttered my place and my life. We can do it!
I didn't even think about those plastic-free and zero-waste products shops just taking the plastic/packaging off products and upping the price!!! How can you find out if that is the case for a store?
It's not the shops fault. It's normally a manufacturing issue. These stores are working to change the system but it's difficult to revolutionize the way things are. That's why It's important to always use what you have first. It prevents creating an impact.
These are great tips. I always enjoy your more practical approach as well-the idea of completely eliminating all waste is completely overwhelming and I'm sure prevents people from even getting started.
Its about being present in your mind on what your "waste" is. Every little step people are willing to do is a step forward, small steps eventually lead to big changes. Judging has to stop, maybe your neighbor isn't doing everything you would like, unfortunately you have no control over them. Control what you can and learn to accept the different choices people make. I am taking small steps in terms of the "waste" my family creates, not ready to give up toilet paper, but there are so many things you can do.
I’ve been trying to be zero waste and the more I try the more passionate I get for it; I’ve already got myself cloth bags for the bulk store near my school and switched to cloth pads (AMAZINGLY COMFY), and I just wanna thank you for your content!
You're a really great speaker, I was super impressed with your speech skills in this video! Obviously love the content as well, but I don't know if you're getting enough recognition for that skill :)
I am new to the movement, the catalist for this passion was my daughter coming into the world. I am starting small. One aspect at a time, I have started composting and switched my families toothbrushes out for sustainable ones that are completely compostable as well as the packaging. It's small but it feels so big. A lot of people making small changes makes a huge impact.
I love the idea of not focusing on something if you can't make the change yet and re-focusing on something else environmental. Also the advice about not threatening people or making them feel small was helpfully phrased.
I switched to bamboo toothbrushes, totes instead of plastic grocery bags and as many hard shampoos and package-free skin care products as possible. The next step is reusable produce bags (the only plastic bags around my place right now), and then we'll see how far I'll get. Unfortunately composting isn't an option at the moment.
Completely! I started using a menstrual cup a year ago and now my sister got inspired by a documentary and finally decided to join me, so much fun! I'm so happy to share so many things with her now!
1:52 ☕️ 😅 I understand that some shops might remove the packaging so they can dispose of it as sustainably as possible (they may have access to special plastic recycling) but I think they need to be more transparent about this.
For sure some do! and Try to reduce their plastic as much as possible. It's mostly a manufacturing issue. It's important for companies to be more transparent in general. I recommend people use what they have, then second hand, and at least resort from these shops. It's important to vote with your dollar and also hold these companies to high standards.
As a kid I spent some summers in Hungary in my grandparents' place of origin. This was around 1980 something. That was a zero-waste society. Everyone produced whatever they needed. All good was grown in the garden. Clothes were swapped between family members. They only bought vinegar and salt in the shops and even those bottles were reused for storing raspberry squash. Interesting now to think about it.
I live in a REALLY small town where the only stores are places like Walmart. Finding package free is HARD but I instead consciously buy metal, glass, and cardboard for recycle. We travel a lot, so we're looking into lower emission vehicles. We buy second hand EVERYTHING (clothes, books, etc) and we live in a place where the water isn't safe to drink. So we buy filters for the water and drink from metal cups 🖤 living less wastefully is hard. The thing I'm MOST struggling with is the soap bottles for shower time. We have members in our family with health issues that require medical soaps (psoriasis and such) that you can't find in sustainable packaging. But I do my best to recycle plastic the best we can
Im not zero waste, but im the best i can do with what is available. A large part of trying to be zero waste is realizing how everything works, it made me change my diet to what is available locally for instance
Thanks for the encouragement. I feel like people just judge me and look at me weird and my own family criticizes me (calling me OCD) for being an avid recycler or trying to not waste produce and use it for something or cleaning up the pond by their house or by my job. Or the fact that they won't let me recycle my stuff in their giant recycling toter since my apt complex doesn't have a recycling option. So thank you for reminding us that we are still making a difference in our own ways.
I noticed we produce a lot more waste (sent to the dump) when we moved from CA to OK because they recycle a lot less here. Basically just do as best you can in your area.
Thank you so much for this video. I started thinking about going zero waste but it just felt that I was forcing myself to do it. It also feels extremely hard and stressful. This video made me realize that I do not have to be stressed, do not/ can not go completely zero waste, and should not try to force my friends and family to do the same as me. Thank you so much. You have no idea how relieved I am and what I finally realized and understood after watching this video. I really needed it.
I started my compost today.. I brought my steel straw, bamboo toothbrush and menstrual cup, which came in plastic bags sadly but its a small step.. and trying as lil as i can to reduce plastic.. in sha allag more to come just took a baby steps toward sustainable life..
Yesssss thank you for keeping it real, Manuela! Thanks for pointing out that plastic isn’t everything; there are SO many environmental and wildlife conservation issues at hand. For those looking to get more involved in their local communities, I highly recommend reaching out to your local Audubon chapter or state office.
I found your channel just now, and I LOVE your perspective. I have recently been incorporating new less wasteful habits in my life and watching all the videos I can to get ideas for what my next habits I change should be. It's very interesting to find that I already have a very minimalistic mentality probably just from how I was raised but its exciting, albeit at times overwhelming, trying to learn how I can further my efforts. Thank you for your content, I am very thrilled to be subscribed to your channel
I think it' s the most helpful video I watched for those who want to start zero waste ( I am one of them). I have two kids and trying to change our habits is quite complicated but we make small things everyday to minimize our impact on environment. Step by step we are going to make it. And I am not trying to show off but I feel proud of influencing my son who is 7 years old and borrow books at the library about climate change, how to get rid of waste, fair trade and doesn' t want to eat nutella because of palm oil. small improvement with big results...
Yes. Those shops are all about the aesthetic and image and not really the impact. Earthero actually has a great vetting process. And of course, use what you actually have first. Or what people are throwing away. I got leave in conditioner for my hair from someone else with the same mindset
I so appreciate your approach-that to encourage others to reduce consumption, it’s better to lead by example than to preach; and that reducing personal waste should not only be our main concern, as there are other issues we could help address that’s more manageable for us in the meantime. Little steps add up.
I wonder if I could find someone from my area that has a ton of knowledge about gardens to come help us set up ours up .. I need a landscaper & farmer lol Then we could to do our favorites that we eat all the time - vegetables & fruit & fresh herbs in my back yard, and, incorporate things I want to try.. We have a pomegranate tree , a hybrid lemon/orange tree here.. I don't use the fruit enough 😳 I also have green onions that are barely holding on .. peppermint & aloe I never use!! 😭 I just don't know what to do or where to start lol That would save a ton of my plastic waste right there ! I have like 3 small plots that I could use but, I'm not hip to West Coast - CA planting or dirt I've been here 3 years it's time to start using what I have 😉👍🏻 Great video thanks 🙏🏻 I feel inspired 😎
I was about to buy things on Lauren's online shop but I think you were talking about this shop which gets everything wrapped in plastic so thanks a lot, I won't buy any of these things I aimed to buy
I always recommend using what you have first! But, if you need a certain product. You should support zero waste shops, they are trying to do good! My point was more along the lines of even the best shops still have plastic in their production line. It's inevitable and can be misleading but these companies are trying their best. They just need to be more trasnparent
thank you very much for your answer, I try to do my best and I'll always continue that way. I'm gonna purchase first in local stores before going to these big online shops :) @@TheGirlGoneGreen
Very doable tips. TFS. I would like to hear your thoughts on hobbies. I occasionally craft, but significant waste is inherent in the hobby, even though my crafting involves up cycling office waste into photo albums. Hawaii has no big box craft stores and my local stores don't carry what I like so I order a lot online. I'm also interested in disaster preparedness since people tend to buy water in single use plastic bottles when hurricanes come.
For hobbies, you don't have to give up what you love. I recommend finding what hobbies you love. What kind of crafts is your favorite? Often, artists like to do multiple mediums and it ends up being wasteful. Limit what you work on to avoid supplies being wasted. Basically, be more intentional with your hobbies. As for Hurricane, because you get days notice for hurricanes I don't recommend keeping water bottles. Here in Florida we fill our bathtubs and containers with water instead. Obviously, this wouldn't work for states with fires or other natural diasters because they don't have a notice beforehand to prepare.
No matter where you are, you should have at least 3days supply of bottled water. Filling your tub or reusing containers is great. Unless the hurricane or earthquake causes structural damage and you get sheetrock and insulation debri in your tub, or the damage means you have to leave..... and an alarming number of people do not know how to properly clean a container for water storage so they may be unknowingly risking illness. Yes, keeping bottled water on hand does mean having some plastic. Buy 1gal jugs instead of single bottles will cut the total amount of plastic. I am all for reducing waste, and going green where ever possible. But when it comes to protecting my family, be it from fire, hurricane, power outages, well pumps quiting or wells becoming contaminated (I live in a rural area where wells are the main source of water for home outside of town), water mains rupturing, whatever the disaster may be......I will use plastic if I need to, and recycle it afterwards.
Now that you have identified the problem - I have thought through this as well. Now what do you suggest we do to shift the industry over to less waste. Buying local is one way - from farmers markets and then there are household items ... sheets towels, clothing, We need a movement to pressure the corporations. Like stop using straws.
What do you think about the Life Without Plastic shop? And are there any zero waste online shops you recommend? I’ve heard a lot about Earth Hero recently.
On the not producing visible waste note. I went to a semi fancy restaurant for a work dinner and ordered a mushroom dish that was served with what looked like moss. When i asked how they made it since it looked so cool- they said they put the tarragon in a plastic cup heated it with a flame. And then peeled the plastic cup away. I was shocked. So wasteful and also heating a regular plastic cup with food in it over a flame? That can’t be good.
this gave me a new insight on zero waste. i haven't started but i would love to in particular aspects in my daily routine. i have one question though, should i also eliminate buying online? especially since they are often using non biodegradable packaging. what alternative can i do? thank you!
I no I have become conscience of it. I never get a plastic bag at every store if I'm getting something small. Being conscience of it helps so much, like fast food the way they put all meals in a gigantic Styrofoam. Plastic water bottles. It's just amazing when u think about how much waste unnecessary waste thet each person discards daily. It could be so simple to make a plan to lower waste. As always your awesome . Taking it to the streets!!!!! Martin Luther king style!!!!!!
The Girl Gone Green thanks for the recognition of me becoming conscience of it. Sounds silly but that means a lot. Keep on inspiring!!! The saying is if u reach one person it's all worth it. An it was you who reached me. 🙌🙌🙌🙌🙌 five cheers for the girl gone green. Have u ever heard of the one campaign or go red?? I'm a huge u2 nerd.much love friend!!!!!! No need to reply I'm sure u spend a lot of ur time responding, but it might b worth it to check the one campaign out. Honestly it's been a long time since I checked into it, so I have no clue what's up with it.
I am always inspired by your videos! I am very curious what your bathroom process is. That sounds really creepy.. but do you use toilet paper and wipes? I totally get if this is too personal I just was genuinely curious what a better solution could be. Happy December! :)
Are you able to say which plastic free shop you are talking about. The 2 I know of are package free shop and life without plastic. I would love to know so I know who to support and who not to. Also, you are awesome! Thank you for your channel and for all that you do!!
Every shop produces waste! Of some kind. My recommendation is finding the one in your price range and that you feel comfortable with. Don't be afraid to ask questions! A transparent company shouldn't be afraid of the truth.
The company my dad works at recently started a reduced waste movement and gave all their employees free reusable utensils but they all came plastic-wrapped. That was a lil annoying
Yes! and most hot water is powered by coal or at least it is where I live. So is it actually eco-friendly? Same thing with electric cars. Are coal-burned fueled cars better than petroleum?
