In 2017 I started my zero waste journey. Zero Waste is the goal, mindful practice is the action. When I use the term Zero Waste, that is my ultimate goal, but Less Waste would be a more accurate description of my evolving lifestyle.
One of the mosrt important aspects of the zero waste/low impact movement is to reexamine the way we think of seemingly normal activities and standards. It might seem totally normal and harmless to buy a plastic water bottle each day but we now know that this isn’t true. The truth is that this action hurts our planet, our health and the health of our communities. The only way that we can make a change is to change ourselves and our actions.
When we talk about gift giving, for xmas, for birthdays, for any reason, we must first re-examine and rethink everything we have done in the past and change our mentality about gifts, both receiving and giving. December is a great time to think about all the gifts you’ve gotten in the past. Which were your favorites? Which made an actual impact on your life? Were they the gifts that were throw away items, trinkets, or bric a brac or were they the gifts that you really coveted, or really needed? Were your favorite gifts one you could experience or consume? Did your favorite gifts create waste, or did they serve a function and purpose? Now ask your self the same questions about the gifts you have given to someone else. Were the gifts given or received the best thing about the holiday? Or was it the time spent with family and friends?
When we think about zero waste gift giving the first step is to know that giving low waste and low impact gifts are the goal. This often takes more time and more planning and will result in giving less gifts overall.
One of the easiest ways to do this is to give something homemade. Baked goods, beauty products, sewing, dinners, kombucha, sweaters, whatever it is you know how to do, share it with your friends and loved ones. Be mindful that you are sure to choose your raw materials with zero waste in mind (bulk items for baking, humanely harvested wool, etc…).
Experiences are another great gift idea. Movie tickets, gift certificates to restaurants, classes, maid services, spas, etc… are all good options, but even better give the gift of you and your time. Teach someone something you know how to do (knit, sew, bake, yoga…) or give them help they’ve been needing (babysitting, cleaning, organizing, cooking dinner, a day of running errands…). Experiences are often more low impact and zero waste and the memories are often more special than an object.
If you know of something that someone really needs, or wants, by all means get it for them if it feels right. Try to use the gift giving experience to practice and teach low impact options. Buy second hand, ethical, local, handmade, and zero waste.
If you’re interested in the zero waste and low impact movement, you are probably already decluttering and streamlining your own life. You mostly likely don’t want many gifts, if any. Make sure you communicate this to all your friends and family. Make sure you let your workplace know. A great way to get people in the no gift mindset is to lead by example. Switching over to low waste or zero waste gifts or forgoing gift giving all together can be hard. Make sure that you are taking steps towards your goal at each opportunity. Make sure you are starting where you are and doing what you can.
What are some sustainable gifts you’re giving this year?
Are you following along with out 6 Months of Zero Waste? Here is the current 6 month plan:
November - Zero Waste Kit
December - No Gifts
January - Clothing and Fast Fashion
February - Mass Transit
March- Bathroom Make-over
April - Grow Your Own Food
Below are the previous month’s projects:
January 2019 - Trash Audit
We separated and looked our trash to see what we are throwing away and what we can reduce.
February 2019- Declutter Everything
We went thru what we have to declutter and reduce.
March 2019- Switch to Paper
This month we moved to paper to get one step closer to reusables.
April 2019- Compost
Composting is an easy way to reduce food waste and prevent it from reaching the landfill.
May 2019- Meatless Monday
One of the best ways to improve the environment is to stop eating factory farmed meat and industrial fish. Small steps lead to big change so this month we gave up meat (or dairy or fish)
June 2019- No Bottled Water
We gave up bottled water as an avenue to give up more disposable plastic in Plastic Free July.
July 2019 - Plastic Free July!
Go plastic free this month!