Many people who are involved in the zero-waste lifestyle are extremely passionate about it. While this is great for the planet, it can make it hard to cohabitate with other people! When you have to live with someone non-zero waste it’s important to remember a few things. Don’t push it! The most important thing to remember is that you shouldn’t push your lifestyle on other people. While the planet is important and your passion is understandable, pressuring people to do something never goes well. Just like insulting people who eat meat doesn’t make them vegan, telling someone that using pl ..read more

Some people think of hamsters as rather boring pets. However, when properly cared for and given plenty of enrichment they’re extremely amusing to watch. But that’s not all you can do with a hamster–there are tons of fun activities you can do with your hamster to have fun together. 1. Redecorate their Cage Redecorating your hamster’s cage can be super fun. Watching them explore a new environment is entertaining, and trying to match your cage to a certain theme using bedding colors, toys, and more adds to the fun. 2. Make Puzzles for Them to Solve Making puzzles for your hamster is n ..read more

As most of us know, flossing is important for our oral health. While I’d love to be a diligent flosser, I’m one of many people who struggle with it. The plastic associated with it doesn’t help. Overall, flossing doesn’t produce much waste, so if you don’t have access to a low-waste method it’s best to keep flossing as normal. However, if you have the option to and are interested in reducing your floss waste there are lots of great options available. Compostable Floss Silk dental floss is an excellent compostable flossing option. In general, silk is a natural fiber and is renewable and bi ..read more

Productivity is a struggle for many of us–myself included. I’m the classic wait-till-the-last-minute type of person. Minimalism has helped me with that. I won’t pretend like it’s changed me into someone who plans everything ahead of time–I’m still not great. But I’m definitely more productive than I used to be. Less Decision Making = Less Decision Fatigue Some aspects of minimalism can help reduce the number of decisions in your life. Decision fatigue is a real thing–though overblown–and minimalism can help! For example, reducing your clothes can help make picking outfits easy. Instead o ..read more

Anxiety affects many people in our world, including myself. While there are many tactics to conquering or managing anxiety, it’s possible that minimalism may help as well. To be clear, I think that therapy, lifestyle changes where applicable, psychiatry, etc. are the best way to tackle anxiety. However, I think minimalism offers some benefits which may help anxiety as well. Minimalism has certainly helped me with my anxiety. Less Overwhelm While for me minimalism was initially about stuff, it eventually became part of my mindset. Minimalism led to self-reflection, a deeper understanding ..read more

*Warning: This article is for mature audiences only.* Safe sex is vital. For your health and for the planet. From avoiding STDs to preventing pregnancies, safety has to be the first consideration. For this reason, truly zero waste sex is impossible. However, we can at least try to make our intercourse as eco-friendly as possible. STD PROTECTION Protecting yourself and your partner from STDs is crucial, and the availability of condoms greatly helps with that. Regardless of who you’re with or how many people you’ve slept with, you should always use protection. Whether that’s a condom ..read more

Most people could use more money. Whether it’s paying off student loans or saving more money for retirement, most people desire more. While wanting more isn’t exactly a tenant of minimalism, it’s a reality of life. Minimalism can help with that, even if it’s not the primary goal. Today we’re going to discuss how minimalism can save you money. PROFIT FROM YOUR CLUTTER In the short term, decluttering can lead to financial gain as you can sell your extra possessions. Rather than putting much energy into fetching the best price–except for particularly expensive items–I offered most of the “s ..read more

Minimalism is growing in popularity. In some aspects, it’s becoming a fad. Although there are obvious physical benefits to minimizing your objects, what about mental benefits? Are minimalists happier? JOY OF DECLUTTERING In the short term, decluttering your space brings tons of joy. Seeing your “out” pile grow and your space become clearer is immensely satisfying. For some time after you declutter, you’ll feel a sense of pride and joy when you see your minimal space. As time goes on, the effect will wear off as you get used to the new space. While it lasts, it’s lovely, though. SIMPLI ..read more

The zero waste movement continues to gain popularity by the day, as more people become interested in reducing the plastic in their lives. Studies finding many plastics to be unsafe, and the ever-present micro-plastics in our food, bodies, and water help increase interest in ditching plastic as well. Overall though, people are becoming more desperate for solutions as corporations and the government fail to act on climate change with enough force. So, behind all of the different reasons for becoming zero waste, what is zero waste really about? AIMS TO PRODUCE NO TRASH The main goal of the ..read more

This book was one of my first introductions to the zero waste lifestyle, back when there wasn’t much literature on the topic. Now that the literature is expanding, I plan to review some of it–as well as other environmental documentaries and books. That being said, let’s get into Zero Waste Home. Zero Waste Home claims that it is “The Ultimate Guide to Simplifying Your Life by Reducing Your Waste.” Bea Johnson provides an overview of the zero waste lifestyle, before going into various chapters. Each chapter corresponds with a different area, from “Kitchen and Grocery Shopping” to “Holidays a ..read more