Part 5: Zero Waste Challenge – On the Go!

*This is the final installment of a 5- part series on the Earth Hero Zero Waste Challenge. These parts have not been sponsored by Earth Hero. All personal stories are my experiences.*

By now, I hope that you’ve read the first four parts of the zero waste challenge I undertook in summer 2018. It covers everything from switching to plastic-free items to making your own natural and plastic-free personal care and household products.

Let’s get down to the final challenge days…

 

Day 27. Take It To Church…and School and Work

Zero waste is not just for you and your household, it should be for everyone because we share the same environment regardless of area of residence.

Just as we try to convert co-workers, friends & church brethren to the latest streaming show or book, we should try the same tactic with zero waste.

Lead by example by bringing your reusable water bottle, reusable shopping bag and plastic-free straw for starters. These begin conversations – especially the plastic-free straws – and you can educate them.

Begin a small recycling or composting program if there is none. At religious houses, enlist the help of children and teens for the learning experience and put up notices about the eco program and covered recycling or composting bins with easy access.

You can even enlist the help of management to throw a small competition where the winner will get a zero waste gift box to start them on their sustainable journey. This is one way to preach this gospel of zero waste on the go.

In addition, shunning plastic bags at stores and taking a reusable mug for your daily joe will show others that they too can practice zero waste without giving up a portion of their life.

No need to berate, guilt or shame others as we all know that such attacks alienate people you’re trying to educate.

Instead, educate and show them videos and pictures of the harmful effects of plastic on marine life and how microplastics are in water, fish and even soil.

When it is shown that it directly affects and can harm them or their family, people sit up and listen.

 

Related: Part 1: Zero Waste Challenge – Say No To Plastic

 

Day 28. These Boots Are Made For Walking…and Biking and Busing

We all know that vehicular pollution contributes to air quality reduction and increases our environmental footprint with cities and municipalities encouraging alternative methods through the carrot and stick approach.

For us in urban areas and large towns with steady and reliable public transit, this is a no-brainer, as we use these methods to work, school, church etc daily. Some of us don’t own cars for this reason.

I live in NYC and even though MTA isn’t perfect, it’s always there for us with almost all lines running 24/7, and this is the best time to catch up on my fave podcast or listen to jazz and be in my own head.

For some folks, a Metrocard is freely given at work and is tax-deductible; all to encourage and relieve transportation expenses for employees who use public transport.

London has congestion charges to dissuade people from driving in the centre and there are whole articles out there as to whether it is a success or not. NYC once flirted with that idea and you can imagine the rebellion. Lol.

If your area doesn’t support reliable public transit, look to car-pooling or ride shares to and from work. Again, if this is something supported by your place of employment, grab it with both hands!

If not, find out if you can write it off at tax time or if you’re keen, get a sturdy bike and helmet. You can alternate between driving and biking till you’re comfortable enough to bike all week to work. Weekends can be reserved for driving.

This alternate transport habit helps in zero waste on the go and there are whole communities and developments globally that practice this.

 

Related: Part 2: Zero Waste Challenge – Zero Waste Cooking

 

Day 29. Collect Trash When You Can

I know what you’re thinking: “I’m not picking up trash on the street!” I agree. If you start that, you’ll never stop as it goes on for blocks, but start in your immediate surroundings.

As you’re educating work/school/church colleagues on zero waste practices, include proper waste disposal too. No littering and definitely dispose of the right waste in the right bins.

Endeavour to find the proper municipal waste disposal card that shows what items go in for recycling, regular trash or compost to make it stress-free for the others.

 

Day 30. Curate a Zero Waste Bag

By now, you should have some plastic-free items as replacements for everyday conventional ones.

If you’re the kind to forget your reusable bag, just stash one in your bag and on your work desk. I have bags at these locations just in case the odd shopping comes up after work or an outing.

In addition, have some compostable cutlery for lunch-on-the-go or just bring your stainless steel fork from home. Even cheaper.

For travel, curate a bag of zero waste items on the go like: bamboo cutlery, glass or bamboo straws, a reusable bag and a tiffin, if you can.

These not only enable you go plastic-free and sustainable abroad, but can save you money.

Plastic bags are charged 25 cents in parts of the EU and you can store non-perishable food in the tiffin if you are slumming it in hostels without fridges. Lol.

Related: Part 3: Zero Waste Challenge – Do It Yourself Plastic-Free

 

Day 31. Encourage Others

As mentioned above, educate and do not berate people into zero waste lifestyle. I know how challenging it can be, trust me, as I’m still getting used to composting and DIY home products. I get it.

No one has ever switched people to their side via shaming and bullying so try not to be on your high horse when showing people alternative plastic-free and sustainable products to use.

The best way is to lead by example for all to see that lifestyle doesn’t dramatically change when you are zero waste on the go; instead, you become more aware of some of the negative composition of food, personal care products & clothing and how they impact us and the environment.

Related: Part 4: Zero Waste Challenge – Pamper Prized Possessions

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Thank you for reading and don’t forget to comment and share the zero waste on the go challenge series. See you on the social streets! xoxx

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