I am passionate about sustainability, but I use plastic water bottles when there is no other option, I buy food that is in disposable packaging, and I don’t judge others for the choices they make. When people see my sustainability Instagram (@waste.free.katie), read this column, or hear me talk about environmentalism, they often start trying to justify the non-sustainable things they do. All of a sudden, they are promising me that the plastic water bottle in their hand will be their water bottle for the next week to make sure it is well used, and the fast fashion that they are wearing was purchased before they knew about the dark side of the industry. Although it is great that they are aware of their own footprint, I am not the sustainability police and was not planning on going after them for their choices. In these situations, I tend to point out a few things about myself that aren’t quite sustainable, like a non-thrifted top or plastic-wrapped granola bar in my bag, just to show that it’s ok to not be perfect. Environmentalists seem to be stereotyped as being pushy, judgemental, and annoying. Although I am sure some people fit this description, I try to actively go against those characteristics.
As Christmas is approaching, I plan on spending a lot of time with my extended family. Many are aware of my sustainability initiatives and there might be chances to discuss environmentalism. While I try to not pressure anyone or fit the negative environmental stereotypes, I also take these conversations as an opportunity to educate people who are curious and encourage that curiosity to lead to trying new low-waste swaps. It’s a hard line to balance but can result in inspiring big changes in the lives of others.
Speaking of Christmas, the holiday season is the perfect time to ask for some sustainable products. Consider things that you have recently run out of or are about to finish. I would recommend starting with some basic personal care products like shampoo and conditioner bars, a bamboo toothbrush, or a plastic-free lip balm. There are endless sustainable alternatives to standard products and most can actually save you money in the long run. Ideally, low-waste items should be purchased from small and local businesses. This supports people’s dreams while also being a way to get great products that were made with love. In areas that don’t have local sustainable stores or markets, you can look into ordering these products online. Some small businesses have expanded to online sales. There are also some slightly larger low-waste companies like the Package Free Shop, The Earthling Co., and Pretty Planet Supply Co. which all offer products with little to no packaging. Although these companies are not as small as local businesses, they offer a variety of products and brands so you can try many things all within one order and only pay for shipping once.
When trying new products, try to purchase multiple things from one store because it will reduce the packaging for shipping. Also, only order one of an item when trying it for the first time. Having multiples can result in wasted product if it turns out to not be for you. If you are unsure of what you like, stay away from refillable products and choose items with compostable packaging. This way, you are not stuck with a refillable container designed specifically for a product that you don’t like. In general, I tend to stay away from refillable products since they are designed to force you to continue repurchasing and rarely have a way to return the container if you don’t like the product.
This holiday season, think about the environment when you are making a wishlist and only ask for products that you need. Consider sustainable swaps that are package free, compostable, or reusable.
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