Did you know most waste can be prevented simply by being prepared? Today, I challenge you to think ahead before you go somewhere to assess what you’ll need to stay waste free.
It’s day twenty five of the zero waste challenge! We only have six days left of the challenge – think you can hang in there?
The beginning of the challenge is focused on simple swaps like bringing your own water bottle and bags to the grocery store.
The second phase of the challenge is focused on lifestyle changes like learning to make your own snacks, decluttering your life the zero waste way, and conserving natural resources.
Now, we’re into the third phase of the challenge. The activism phase. The phase where you get to get a little outside of yourself and work on bringing change at a whole new level.
(I will say a couple of posts are out of order. We had an activism post earlier in the challenge and we’ll have a lifestyle change in this section ((kinda like this one)), but you can forgive me, right!? Thanks :)
Today we’re talking all about being prepared!
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the problem:
Yes, the boy scout motto and the zero waste motto are one in the same. Be prepared.
A lot of times when we’re out and about, we tend to be rushing. That makes us more prone to making bad, quick decisions.
For example, if you’re in a rush, you might grab a cup of coffee in a disposable cup instead of asking for it to stay. Or, if you rushed out of the house in the morning, you might grab lunch at work in a disposable plastic container.
This problem stems largely from not being prepared for the day ahead. When you’re rushing about your day, you aren’t thinking ahead, but thinking in the moment. It’s important to remember that something convenient to you in the moment, isn’t convenient to the Earth.
Of course, we all have bad days, but the goal is to have more good days than bad day. A way to guarantee more good days is to build systems!
And, hopefully, throughout this challenge, you’ve been able to build some good habits.
the solution:
I find that so much waste can easily be prevented just by being prepared. Before you go to bed tonight or first thing when you wake up in the morning, ask yourself, what am I going to do today? Or, what am I going to do tomorrow?
We typically have a pretty good idea of what our days look like day to day. By thoroughly thinking through everything we do, or everywhere we’re going, we can figure out ways that can easily prevent waste. Sometimes it’s just that simple.
One of my favorite ways to stay prepared is by having a zero waste to go kit. Maybe it’s something you keep by your door or in your car. It’s just a small collection of items that can help you prevent waste.
Here’s some idea of what you can include in yours:
Stainless steel water bottle
Reusable straws
Travel mug
Reusable cutlery
Tote bag
Produce bags
Placing these items in your line of sight or with you will help you prevent a ton of waste. Of course, you don’t always need to carry all these items at the same time. I personally, don’t like being a pack mule.
I only take a mug with me when I know I’ll be going out to grab tea or a smoothie or my bags with me when I know I’m going to be shopping.
It all depends on what you’re doing that day and how structured/scheduled your days are. If you know you’ll be going food shopping later in the day, make sure to pack extra tote bags and produce bags.
If you’ll just be going to work and back, make sure to pack your zero waste lunch. Going to a movie? Pack some zero waste snacks in your bag ahead of time.
Take a moment to just think about your day before starting it and think ahead. Doing this one simple thing will greatly reduce your waste.
So that is my challenge to you – be prepared.
take the challenge!
Over the next 6 days, your challenge is to be prepared. Instead of rushing out of the house in the morning, take a few minutes to make sure you have any zero waste items you might need for the day.
Will you be grabbing coffee, getting lunch, going shopping? Grab any zero waste essentials you’ll need to stay one step ahead of the game.
Will you be taking the challenge?
want more?
Just starting out? Have 1,000 burning questions!? Get access to my private Facebook group, where I’ll be hosting weekly lives throughout the challenge and I answer all of your most pressing questions.
I’m the head content creator over at pelacase.com and have partnered with them to create an email version of the challenge. I will be sending out weekly recap letters with Pela if you’d prefer to have this challenge in larger chunks and delivered straight to your inbox.
PLUS! I’ll be sending out a brand new e-book at the end of the challenge called the Game On Handbook. Which is all about individual ways to fight climate change. You don’t want to miss it.
miss a day?
