I guess I am one of them? "Them" being part of the growing group of people focusing their efforts on waste minimization and sustainable lifestyles. At this point, I suppose I have to call myself part of the Zero Waste Movement. Can you sense my hesitancy there? While I am excited about the trending conversation and glad for greater awareness, I can't help but be reluctant when it comes to "Zero Waste". I recently participated in Hennepin County's Zero Waste Challenge, then to further my knowledge on waste management became a Master Recycler/Composter. I very much agree with the goals of the Zero Waste Movement, it's the HOW that gives me pause.
When you hear Zero Waste what do you think of? Do you picture the die-hard environmentalist that swears by the no-poo method and doesn't own a car? Or is there an image of a tiny mason jar filled with one year's worth of trash? Whatever you imagine, I'm betting it's extreme. While I can celebrate the people that are 100% in, where is the space in this conversation for the rest of us average folks? The rest of us who recycle, care about the environment and genuinely want to make improvements but going 100% all-in may not be realistic in our lives due to family, time, money, kids, resources, access, etc. As I enter this Zero Waste world it feels exclusive, extremist, unattainable and completely unrealistic in our consumer driven, capitalistic society.
As an average person learning how to reduce my impact, I turned to the Zero Waste Movement bloggers first. But the voices in that space are not resonating with me. I find many of them shaming, filled with ego or judgement towards others. I can't help but notice that the bloggers of this movement are also largely privileged, white, female, seemingly cis, able-bodied adults in their 20s-30s and I grow increasing aware of the voices that are not included in the conversation. Especially as consumerism impacts people of color and low income communities the most. I also can't help but disagree with the over-emphasis on reducing your trash to zero while ignoring other waste outputs like composting and recycling. It's all waste, isn't it? Especially as foreign markets restrict US import of recycled materials, even our recyclables are destined for the trash as local markets get over-saturated with materials. And I struggle with the rampant consumerism tied to these Zero Waste blogs as they try to sell me the perfect reusable mug or "eco-friendly" gadget. I simply cannot support encouraging more consumerism when refuse, borrow, reduce, thrift and reuse trump consumption of new in my book. But most of all, I am tired of being talked at instead of conversed with.
I think it's time to reinvent the movement. Can we instead build a local community that focuses on low impact living? A place to come together, share knowledge, ask questions, find support and encouragement free from pressures to be perfect or extreme. I'd like a space to gather with my neighbor and ask how their composting is going. I want a community that focuses less on the stuff and things, and more on people. I'd love a place that supports organizations and activists fighting on the front lines for the root causes (ahem, capitalism) of our environmental crisis. I want a place to chat that's free of product endorsement, free from unrealistic expectation, and free from judgement. I need a place that's accessible, that supports rather than shames, one that's achievable by all and anyone can participate in their own way. Where resources and knowledge are shared in all directions, a place that embraces small victories and builds community. I want a community where all voices are heard and participate. A place to help us find the methods of waste reduction that fit in our unique lives and encourages us perform them some, or most of the time, knowing that together all our small efforts add up to big environmental impact.
I have no agenda here. But I do ache for community with people that want to reduce our collective impact on the environment. Little by little, small step by small step.
