My Favourite Resources: ZERO WASTE
BLOG
"Since adopting the Zero Waste lifestyle in 2008, my life and that of my family have changed for the better. We not only feel happier, but we also lead more meaningful lives based on experiences instead of stuff. My family’s trash for 2017 This blog and my bestselling book, Zero Waste Home have launched a global movement, inspiring thousands of people throughout the world to live simply and take a stance against needless waste. In them, I propose a simple guideline, my 5R’s: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot (and only in that order). Are you ready to join in?"
Bea is (in my opinion) the leader of the Zero Waste Movement. She has written a book, supported by her blog on how to live a zero waste lifestyle. Starting with her 5 Rs guidelines and with a detailed examination of every area of a household she talks about everything. I love her and I often open the book to answer some of my questions. For anyone interested in Zero Waste Bea Johnson should be the first resource to read.
"I was an Environmental Studies major in College and have always been interested in the environment, but I made the conscious decision to live Zero Waste in 2012 when a fellow Environmental Studies classmate would bring lunch to class every week in a single use plastic bag, a disposable water bottle, and a plastic takeout container. I would sit there and think, we are supposed to be the future of this planet and here we are with our trash, messing it up."
Lauren was inspired by Bea Johnson and has created a big movement on her own. I really like how she lives a different life style from the Johnsons and represents a different group of people thus make it known that everyone can do it, if they want to. She has her own zero waste shop in New York and her social media is very real and relatable.
"We have a problem with Stuff: we have too much of it, too much of it is toxic and we don’t share it very well. But that’s not the way things have to be.That’s the challenge our founder Annie Leonard unpacked in her groundbreaking 2007 online documentary, The Story of Stuff, which unleashed a torrent of pent-up demand for honest conversation about our consumption-crazed culture. In the eight years since we released that first film, our nine award-winning animated movies have garnered more than 50 million online views around the world and encouraged viewers to support hundreds of environmental projects and campaigns with their time, energy and money."
Story of Stuff's videos are also some the very first pieces of information that started me thinking on the impacts of our current lifestyle. They create really straight forward videos that explain the problems with industries like technology, cosmetics and bottled water. Have a look, they're really short but still full of useful and influential information.
"The Plastic Pollution Coalition mission is to stop plastic pollution and its toxic impact on humans, animals, and the environment. PPC was founded in 2009 as a platform to amplify a common message through strategic planning and communication. Our more than 500 member organizations and a growing coalition of individuals seek to increase understanding of the plastic pollution problem and to find sustainable solutions. We aim to empower more people and organizations to take action to stop plastic pollution and to live plastic-free."
What I love most about the Plastic Pollution Coalition is that it is not just one person but rather a group that creates together. Their knowledge, their background, their experiences pulled into one database and allowing everyone to have access to a wide range of information. I was quite obsessed with reading their blogs at one point, literally disappointed when there isn't a new article within 24hrs.
"At Zero Waste Europe, we are leading a fast-growing movement of communities, local leaders, businesses, experts, influencers and other “change agents” working towards the same vision: eliminating waste in our society. To empower communities and change agents from around Europe to redesign their relationship with resources, to adopt smarter lifestyles and sustainable consumption patterns in line with “circular” resource management."
As a proud European I found Zero Waste Europe quite early on and I enjoyed reading the case studies of the European zero waste cities, especially the ones that are in Eastern Europe and can serve as an example for my home area. At the moment my dad is also a deputy mayor and it's quite useful knowing this information, plus the case studies are also written in Bulgarian. This is real zero waste change in action on a big scale.
DOCUMENTARIES
"Trashed - No Place For Waste looks at the risks to the food chain and the environment through pollution of our air, land and sea by waste. The film reveals surprising truths about very immediate and potent dangers to our health. It is a global conversation from Iceland to Indonesia between the film star Jeremy Irons and scientists, politicians and ordinary individuals whose health and livelihoods have been fundamentally affected by waste pollution. Visually and emotionally the film is both horrific and beautiful: an interplay of human interest and political wake-up call. But it ends on a message of hope: showing how the risks to our survival can easily be averted through sustainable approaches that provide far more employment than the current 'waste industry.'"
I actually paid money to watch Trashed, which is a very unusual thing for me. I have the file now, on my Google Drive (maybe I can share if someone is interested). I really enjoyed it, it was one of those things that I want my family to watch to understand what I am talking about and the good thing is, there are original Bulgarian subtitles, so it's easy to share.
"Vice sails to the North Pacific Gyre, collecting point for all of the ocean's flotsam and home of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch: a mythical, Texas-sized island made entirely of our trash. ** Come aboard as we take a cruise to the Northern Gyre in the Pacific Ocean, a spot where currents spin and cycle, churning up tons of plastic into a giant pool of chemical soup, flecked with bits and whole chunks of refuse that cannot biodegrade.'"
I watched Garbage Island while procrastinating writing a uni report. I love when the creators share their information for free on a platform like YouTube. The waste crisis is so bad and the information needs to be spread out so quickly, that there is no point in charging for your creation if your goal is to make real change. It's in 3 different parts so you can even procrastinate 3 whole times with it and learn about the Great Pacific Garbage Patch.
Cowspriracy: The Sustainability Secret
"Cowspiracy: The Sustainability Secret is a groundbreaking environmental documentary following intrepid filmmaker Kip Andersen as he uncovers the most destructive industry facing the planet today – and investigates why the world’s leading environmental organizations are too afraid to talk about it."
I loved "Cowspiracy". Nic and I watched it in the first week of me being vegan and Nic became vegan there and then. It is really easy to follow and to understand. Some statistics focus on the USA but it is a global film nevertheless. It is definitely in my top 5 recommendation for vegan education. The point of the people is to show how wasteful the standard diet is and the environmental advantages of veganism.
The True Cost
"This is a story about clothing. It’s about the clothes we wear, the people who make them, and the impact the industry is having on our world. The price of clothing has been decreasing for decades, while the human and environmental costs have grown dramatically. The True Cost is a groundbreaking documentary film that pulls back the curtain on the untold story and asks us to consider, who really pays the price for our clothing?"
I am not a fashion person at all - I don't follow trends, don't read magazine, don't care about high street shops therefore was very uneducated on this industry, This film changed that. Although I am still not an expert I pay great attention to what I buy because of all the information I learned in the film. I am also ready to argue on the topic of "The workers have nothing else to work if not as part of the cheap fashion industry".
Tapped
"The high cost -- to both the environment and our health -- of bottled water is the subject of this documentary that enlists activists, environmentalists, community leaders and others to expose the dark side of the bottled water industry. Americans may rethink their obsession with bottled H20 when they learn of the unregulated industry's willingness to ignore environmental and health concerns, and the problems that arise as a result."
Tapped is focused on America which sometimes doesn't allow me to completely engage with the problem as a European. However, it still shows the trouble with large corporations very well and makes you think twice about supporting them. I watched the film in the beginning of 2018, but even so I haven't bought a single Nestle product in years because of their largely unsustainable practices. Now I am thinking about my financial investment in other brands like Coca Cola as well.
Earthships
"On the desert mesa of New Mexico, miles from the nearest town of Taos (pop. 5,700), Star-Wars-like shelters rise from the earth, half-buried and covered in adobe. Called “Earthships” - brainchild of architect Mike Reynolds in the 1970s- they’re nearly completely self-sufficient homes: no electrical grid, no water lines, no sewer."
I am the child of a family of architects and was planning to be one until I decided I am not meant to be one. However, I still have great interest on the subject and am strongly drawn to any architectural show, especially the ones that also talk about sustainability. I really enjoyed watching this, because as I child that has grown up on building site of steel and concrete this was an unknown territory for me. One day maybe it will be my turn to build a house and projects like these will be a good point of information.
BOOKS
"Since adopting the Zero Waste lifestyle in 2008, my life and that of my family have changed for the better. We not only feel happier, but we also lead more meaningful lives based on experiences instead of stuff. My family’s trash for 2017 This blog and my bestselling book, Zero Waste Home have launched a global movement, inspiring thousands of people throughout the world to live simply and take a stance against needless waste. In them, I propose a simple guideline, my 5R’s: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot (and only in that order). Are you ready to join in?"
Bea is (in my opinion) the leader of the Zero Waste Movement. She has written a book, supported by her blog on how to live a zero waste lifestyle. Starting with her 5 Rs guidelines and with a detailed examination of every area of a household she talks about everything. I love her and I often open the book to answer some of my questions. For anyone interested in Zero Waste Bea Johnson should be the first resource to read.
Unprocessed: My City-Dwelling Year of Reclaiming Real Food
"Hello! I’m a writer living in Austin, Texas, where I work as senior editor at Austin Monthly, the city magazine of Austin. Formerly I was the founding editor of Edible Baja Arizona, a local food magazine serving Tucson and the borderlands.I’m the author of Unprocessed: My City-Dwelling Year of Reclaiming Real Food (William Morrow 2015) a memoir of my year-long journey of eating only whole, unprocessed foods, intertwined with a journalistic exploration of what “unprocessed” really means, why it matters, and how to afford it. Unprocessed was named a Southwest Book of the Year in 2015."
I read Unprocessed before I was vegan, before I knew anything about whole food nutrition or any nutrition in general. I only knew all the urban myths, grandma comments and random facebook articles. Even as a passionate cook, I still didn't regard the processed aspect of our meals too much. This book is still based on American statistics, but I am sure the information is applicable to anywhere in the world. I enjoyed reading it and learning about things and it was the first bug planted in me to move towards a whole foods diet which is now even stronger with veganism.
"Cradle to Cradle: Remaking the Way We Make Things is a seminal book in the sustainability field co-authored by William McDonough & Michael Braungart. The book calls for the transformation of human industry through ecologically intelligent design."
Cradle to Cradle is a book written by professionals for professionals in the product production industries. It doesn't help much with ideas for perosnal actions towards zero waste but it does something better. It makes you believe that sustainability is actually possible when is wanted. You can rad my blog post here.
YouTube CHANNELLS
Eco Boost
"Hi, I'm Kate Arnell! Nice to meet you. I've been living a zero waste lifestyle in London for nearly 4 years and this is my YouTube channel where I get to release my inner eco-enthusiast. I'm super passionate about zero waste, choosing organic, eco fashion, seasonal food, exploring and eco friendly alternatives."
Kate is really cute and funny, I can't wait to watch her videos every time she releases one and because she lives in London her information is very relevant to me. I really like that she invests only in sustainable brands and opens my mind to their creation, even if at the moment I can't afford them. She makes zero waste look easy, fun and creative and what else can a person need in a life. I would love meet her one day and chat.
Ellen Fisher
"Ellen Fisher"Hallelujah for high vibrational and life-giving plant foods! Going vegan over 10 years ago has helped heal my ailments which used to hold me back in life, including acne, poor digestion and an eating disorder of anorexia. I’ve had two amazing vegan pregnancies with lots of raw foods and together my husband and I raise our healthy children on a vegan lifestyle. I say lifestyle because it is more than just a diet. We are vegan not only for our health, but also for the animals and the planet! It is all encompassing: promoting LOVE, loving all beings, and seeing the good in all people and animals. Which is why I am so passionate about sharing healthy vegan recipes found in my recipe ebooks!" I am so inlove with the Fisher's. I want to be them one day with maybe a little bit more cooked meals. The familly is absolutely inspirational using veganism not just for their health but also to raise loving and passionate children. Her lifestyle videos are also gorgeous and absolitely addictive. As a happy Hawaiian family they are quite minimalist with their posession but are still fabulous."
I am so inlove with the Fisher's. I want to be them one day with maybe a little bit more cooked meals. The familly is absolutely inspirational using veganism not just for their health but also to raise loving and passionate children. Her lifestyle videos are also gorgeous and absolitely addictive. As a happy Hawaiian family they are quite minimalist with their posession but are still fabulous. They also pay a lot of attention on zero waste by composting, growing their own food, limiting their purchases and investing in sustainable compnies.
Hubbub
"Welcome to Hubbub! Every fortnight we’ll be bringing you a brand new video investigating the green issues that matter to you, getting behind the headlines and to the bottom of everything from what electric cars are like to drive to whether we should be eating less eating meat."
Hubbub is a UK based non for profit and they create great informational videos to spread the word of sustainability, to show sustainable brands, to inspire individuals to make change and to educate them on the best ways of expressing their message. Check them out, they're short and sweet and most importantly inspirational.
Living the Life You Love
"Hello there! My name's Kay and this channel is all about living consciously though diet, lifestyle and thinking. I share about topics such as veganism, minimalism, zero waste and so much more. I want to help people to see how easy it is to live a health and sustainable life and join others who are on the same journey as myself. If that sounds like your cup of tea please hit the subscribe button and join me and my wonderful subscribers as we spread love throughout the world! Sending you so much love and light. ✨"
Kay is such a radiant and positive girl and I never postpone watching her videos. She is a lot like me, all about minimalism, veganism, zero waste and conscious, balanced living maybe with the only exception that I don't suffer with social anxiety and am comfortable (though still introverted) in social situations. I get great inspiration for my personal purchases from what she does but also feel very reasured when she's not perfect at her zero waste undertakings.
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