Like many people, I found getting to zero waste a lot harder than I thought it would be. When I first started to reduce my waste in 2018 I struggled to find credible information for people who, like me, who were just getting started.
On my first outing, I decided to order six stainless steel straws online - and they came individually wrapped in plastic. Sigh. It all felt too hard, but rather than be disheartened I kept on going, moving forward with each small sustainable swap. And I saw an opportunity to help other Australians live more sustainably. Banish was born and I ended up writing a workbook - to help myself and to help everyone else I possibly could.
I think one of the most important things for people to remember is to take your journey piece by piece, bit by bit. As much as we'd all love to go stone cold on plastic right now, realistically it will take a couple of months for you to find your groove. Don't sweat the small stuff - some things you will win and others you will have to start over. Here are our top three tips for beginners.
Don’t be embarrassed to ask questions, starting out on your less-waste journey is exciting but it can be overwhelming, to say the least. Phone a friend, DM someone on Instagram or ask a brand whom you are about to purchase something from who made the item of clothing? How the dish brush is to be disposed of? Or what packaging it comes in? Knowledge is power and even if they don’t know the answer by asking you are challenging them to know it next time someone asks.
It's all about being organised and prepared for all of the plastic that life throws at us. As Benjamin Franklin said “by failing to prepare you’re preparing to fail.” It’s a plastic world out there so never leave the house without your eco-friendly essentials: a tote bag, water bottle, reusable coffee cup, bamboo or stainless steel straw and produce bags. This fail-proof plan will help you reduce your waste and refuse refuse!
Aim to shop only the perimeter of the supermarket. Not only will this help your waistline but also it is where the least amount of packaging is! BYO containers and produce bags so you don’t get caught out at the deli and when buying small loose items like beans and brussel sprouts. When you are choosing products compare the price and the packaging options. For example, buying pasta in boxes or tomato paste in jars rather than plastic.
I am not going to lie, reducing your waste is hard! The whole reason why I started Banish was because when I began I found it so difficult and felt so overwhelmed that I wanted to help make it easier for others! We’re in this for the long haul, no-one is perfect and we are all bound to mess up along the way but you’re only human! Don’t sweat the small stuff.
Here are a couple of my favourite mantras that keep me inspired.
This is an edited extract from The Waste Less Workbook by Lottie Dalziel / All images, Banish.