Tackling the zero waste lifestyle can feel as if you're climbing Everest. It's new, challenging, and rare. But, fret not. This is TOTALLY doable, I promise. In this video, I share with you my tips for transitioning to a sustainable, zero waste lifestyle.
My zero waste journey:
Follow me on Instagram for more Zero Waste tips!
@thegirlgonegreen
Other Resources:
Bea Johnson
Lauren Singer
Kathryn
Hope this helps! Leave me a comment below for requests!
Great video!! I’m so glad that we’re seeing a call for moderation and finally explaining that zero does NOT mean zero. 🙂
Special like for encouraging people not to buy all the zero waste gear 🙂
Thanks Kathryn! Yes, there needs to be a balance, like your blog post the other day about things you buy that are not zero waste.
I started with minimalism before zero waste. It was a great stepping stone. I definitely recommend vlogging. People think being zero waste is expensive so it could really help.
Yeah. I have 2 videos up and the third should be posted Friday so you’re more than welcome to share if you want. Thanks for your time and help!
I love that you’re taking such a realistic approach to the zero waste movement. I’ve felt the exact same way about getting rid of plastic I already have and I really like the idea that frustration and feeling small is really a byproduct of passion for a great cause. Thanks!
Yes, it’s an interesting feeling but hopefully frustration fuels action!
It is so motivating to see someone that passionate about sustainability! Keep rockin’ it
Thank you for the encouragement! It means a lot
Thank you for this video. I have spent the past year transitioning to zero waste. Lauren Singer and Bea Johnson have been incredible role models and I have seen so many “how to videos” and “zero waste alternatives” guides, but I don’t think I’ve seen videos talking about the emotional aspects you experience. I definitely relate to the guilt factor whenever I still receive a plastic straw or use a plastic bag and I always worry that what I’m doing isn’t enough for the environment so I’m really glad I found your video. You are so kind and encouraging. Thank you so much. I wish you well in your zero waste journey.
Thank you for the kind comments! Emotions are big triggers of our major societal problem so addressing them at the beginning is important.
The Girl Gone Green what is vlogging?
The things you’re saying like, “every little thing makes a difference,” “this lifestyle gives you purpose” (paraphrasing) are really similar to what people say in the vegan movement. Appreciated the relaxed approach to it. I was wondering whether new glass was better than already owned plastic and this was helpful.
Glad I could help! and yes it’s important to look at it in bit sized pieces.
It so so unbelievably hard trying to live a zero waste lifestyle as a 13-year-old since i still live at home with my family, although i try my hardest. I have a bamboo toothbrush and i make my own toothpaste, shampoo, and conditioner. I have used the same plastic container from my chicken chow main for the last 12 months now as my lunch box container, and i have my own personalized fabric bag that i made in my class i use my rubbish from the fruit and vegetables in my lunch box for my artwork in my class and for homework as I’m taking GCSE art. I get so many questions as to why i bring in my own metal flask for hot chocolate or coffee at school instead of getting one of the free plastic cups that they give you, and why they have never seen me put at least one piece of rubbish in the school bins and why I’m always putting my fruit peelings in my bag to take home. I’ve been bullied for it the kids at my school call me a freak, a hippie, a hoarder, and I’ve also had someone say that i take my rubbish home so that i can fix my house because they thought i lived in it, i cant remember how may times I’ve told them that it’s because i love the world that we live in and that although it’s being ruined with pollution we can change it together if we try and i know that i call it a ZERO-WASTE when its not because no matter what i still have the tags off my clothing and stickers of my lunch and that i live with a family that aren’t living the same lifestyle that i am so yes I’m not living the life i want to live because i had my way i would be living off grid with my best friends Paige and Jude who also live a zero-waste lifestyle and we would have our own farm and house and we would write songs together and it would be simple and we would be us the people we want to be, the people we were born to be and NOT the people we are made to be and in other words i don’t want to fit the mold i everyone wants me to be i want to burst out like a rainbow though dark clouds like that squirrel for the ice age when he finally gets his acorn. I want to be that squirrel- my name is Freya may this is my crazy, unique story being a 13-year-old girl living the best i can in a zero-waste lifestyle
You’re so amazing! New subscriber. I’m so inspired by you. I’ve been wanting to start practicing this lifestyle more, as I am now I’m college and beginning to buy my own things and start my own life. I can’t wait to see more videos from you!! Thank you so much for this❤❤
Thank you for subscribing!
Thank you! I am slowly transitioning into being more green and slowly removing plastic from my current life and I just get frustrated when I go to the bulk bins for spices and find that I can’t use my own jars and must hat their plastic ziplock bags and a disposable scoop. I feel guilty when I try and make my own bags (either knitting or sewing) I still produce waste. I really needed to hear this
iloveevrywn 1 agreed
I totally understand how you feel! You can also look for spices that come in glass and reuse or recycle the container. It’ll have a bit of plastic around the lid.
The Girl Gone Green your words have pumped me to continue knitting my bags for shopping and for lunch. (You should consider adding a knitting or crochet for bags for shopping and storage. Verypinkknits on YouTube has amazing patterns for a shopping bag, kitchen scrubbies and for dish cloths)
iloveevrywn 1 24 6
I’ve just started out on the zero waste journey 😃 My biggest problem is packaging on some of the foods I love not being recyclable 😞 and we don’t have bulk stores round here. But I’m more aware of how much waste I’m producing and making changes step by step. I also went from being omnivore to vegan nearly 4 months ago 😃
Welcome! June-August I’ll be doing a series with some fellow Zero Waste Bloggers on how to shop at regular grocery stores.
I am just at the beginning of cutting down on waste. My motivation is my family. We are a large family (by current American standards), and I want to reduce our footprint, honor God by caring for the Earth entrusted to our care, while teaching our kids to be good stewards. It’s an exciting process!
You say things I haven’t heard ANY other zero waster say; that it’s okay not to go out and buy all fancy zero-waste gear, and that it’s okay to have reusable things in plastic if that’s what you already have. I have been SO frustrated about this, having a hard time to figure out right from wrong, and some zero wasters seem to focus A LOT on the fact that they almost dont have anything in plastic in their home. Well the average person does? And am I supposed to just throw it all away when it’s perfectly reusable products? Where’s the sustainability in THAT? I totally see the point in going for the not-plastic version when you need to replace something though, so that’s where i’ll start, along with getting rid of disposables around the house. Anyway, thank you SO much for this video and for being so honest and down to earth about less waste! I feel much more empowered to really start this journey now 💪🏻
Hey, girl. Thank you for this video! I am just here to say you are incredible and we all are very grateful for you. Light lead your way!
I appreciate your graciousness. I’m new to this idea, and I am an older lady with 5 beautiful grandchildren. It does make me sad that I have lived my life pretty unaware of the impact my purchasing and discarding has on the environment. I’m taking baby steps, and my kids help me along and I help them along too. 🥂 here’s to the a bright future!!
I’m just curious…. if every person recycled, if companies found different methods to create products besides using plastic, if everyone lived minimally, if recycling was improved to be more energy efficient and companies made more recycled products, if everyone composted, if companies all limited their emissions, would this solve our waste problem? What do we as a society need to do beyond this?
Oh absolutely. You are so right. I mean I have this synthetic material saree at home which turns into cloth bags.. I could not imagine throwing it away in the name of organic cotton cloth bags. Yeસ, eventually I will shift to recyclable material but it makes sense to use what you already have. Save your money too while saving the Earth.
I love the way you encourage us to just do what we can. I’m in Malaysia and the ZW movement just started last year. I’ve been going through loads of videos on how to go about it and decided I’m going to do what I can and not beat myself up over it. Whatever little I’m doing is better than none, one step at a time. I’m already making my own soap bars, deodorant, toothpaste, lip balm even though the ingredients come in packaging 🙄 Next project is cloth tissues. Wish me luck on my journey. I’ll need it! 😅
Omg. Thank you for the reassurance. I am so overwhelmed trying to transition to no waste. It is one of the most difficult things I’ve ever done. I just wanted to cry at the grocery store today lol.
freya I know this comment has been posted a year ago and I believe you are 14 now . I just wanted to say that your story is truly inspiring . I’m 15 this year and I live in Singapore . I know nobody who lives a zero waste lifestyle or is aiming to live a zero waste life style as in our country , most people would just go for the free plastic spoons and forks given . My family members are not aiming / living the same lifestyle as me but now , I’m slowly trying to convert wherever I can to be a step closer to the zero waste lifestyle:)
I’ve been thinking about doing zero waste ever since I started decluttering my home not realizing I was already doing some things like using cloth towels instead of paper, family cloth instead of toilet paper, cloth feminine pads instead of disposable pads and homemade toothpaste. Thank you for sharing your knowledge
Wowza! Thank you for being both a hero and an inspiration!
Ohhh now you are my age! I love your personality and i understand you completely. It is hard to make people understand what we try to do. Everytime i see my stepfather buy the 20 waterbottle pack I cringe so hard
We love your channel!! We need more people like you to help motivating people and make take believe it’s still possible to change the world. We are a new eco-friendly company that is trying to make a difference like you.
Today is the day I start my zero waste life style! I’m 18 and I fully agree with this. We already refuse jars as glasses, have reusable straws, and buy local fruits and veggies! Wish me luck on this start. 💚🌱
Well done!!! Believe me that when time comes they will thank you! And for me, as a 14 year old who also tries her best to live zero waste I absolutely understand. It’s so annoying when my parents use plastic bags and buy single use things, but I do believe that thanks to me we’re all getting better. We have a compost, we recycle, we bearlly use single use plastic bags etc.
I know it’s hard but what you’re doing is so important and amazing, so keep on with the good work❤️❤️
I am 12 and am transitioning into a zero waste lifestyle luckily for me I have got my family onboard and we are going fully waste free next year it is so hard but with determination you can do it!
Thank you for great information. Hello Administ .