Here Is Your Gentle Reminder That There Are Dandelions Growing Through Cracks In The Sidewalk. There

I have arrived in Peru and if there is one thing I have learned this week it is that zero waste and traveling to not always go together. Last minute shopping, eating out, medications and bottled water have set me back in my waste goals. However, all hope is not lost as I still have found some ways to back on waste that additionally make traveling easier!

Solid shampoo, conditioner, soap, face wash and perfume

Benefits

No spilling in your suitcase

Able to take through security in your carryon 

Virtually no waste

Lasts a lot longer since it is concentrated 

Takes up much less space then full sized liquid products 

Cons

None? (I really love all these products!)

Water bottle

Benefits

Can refill once you’ve gone past security at the airport (no $7 bottles of water at the airport)

Keeps water cold for hot days 

Can buy bottled water in bulk and pour into reusable bottle to take with you instead of many small bottles in places where you can not drink the tap water

Cons

You must carry it around with you even when it’s empty 

Coconut oil and fabric scraps (used for makeup removal)

Benefits 

Extremely cheap

Very effective in removing makeup (the best thing in my opinion)

Natural and very low waste

Cons

Very messy to travel with (high risk of spilling and staining clothing)

Must wash the fabric scraps (difficult to do if you do not have access to a washing machine)

Overall I am glad I was able to cut down on at least some waste in my travel while also making my move easier! If anyone has any other tips for reducing waste when you travel I would love to hear them! :) 

Guide to Zero Waste as a college student.

I know. Just the thought of it made me scared. When I first started a year ago, I dived head first and told myself if I didn’t start now, I would never start. It didn’t matter if I would make a mistake, I had to start and then learn from my mistakes.

Boi did I make a lot of mistakes. But I learned. Here are some steps you can take to become zero waste.

1. Look at your trash. 

What is in there? Plastic bottles? Straws? Jars? Wrappers? Foam containers of that one take away? Take a look at your trash and determine why you are producing that amount of trash.

2. Plan. 

After figuring out what’s in your trash think about what you can do to stop making it. I like to guide myself with these three questions:

Do I really need this in my life? If not, then it is a good time to stop buying/ using said thing.

If I do need it, is there an eco-friendly alternative? Do they sell it or should I look for a DIY-option? The important thing is not to get stuck just because you can’t get it!

What habits can I adapt to make transitioning easier for me?

3. Set goals. 

At first, I dived right into it. Which was probably not the best option. After some months I realized it would be better if I took one step at a time. Goals are a good way to get you there but the only way goals can actually work is of they are smart. These are some of the goals I had when I started.

Every day I must fill my reusable water bottle and take it everywhere with me. I am not allowed to drink from any plastic cups, straws any other form of packaging that is recyclable but not necessarily reusable.

Every day I must go out with my reusable straw and my utensils. In order not to forget them, I have to always keep a pair on each of my bags.

4. Keep track. 

I will admit: I am not perfect. But keeping tracks of what I do with zero waste helps me see what I can do better. And that’s what this movement is. What can we do to get a bit closer to producing no waste? Some people get discouraged but this personally encourages me to work harder.

So are you planning on becoming zero waste? Are you already part of the movement? Let me know!

-Shirou

It feels very rewarding to go to the bulk store with a bunch of mason jars and fill them up! I’m saving money and waste just by doing this simple thing. Food in mason jars looks way better than a bunch of boxes and bags in my shelf anyways.

Instagram: vibing.vegan

Vegetables are delicious, u guys just don’t know how to cook

A great source for students interested in sustainable living!

🌲🌿 Being A Green Student 🌿🌲

Hello my studious friends! I’ve decided I’d (finally) make the green student guide that I’ve been promising forever. Here you’ll find a handy list of ways you can stay environmentally conscious while hitting the books. Feel free to pick a choose what suggestions work best for you and your lifestyle. Again, these are purely suggestions, but I really recommend adopting as many as you can. All of us, especially those in the traditionally “western” nations with outrageous carbon footprints (aka America and many parts of Europe), need to start thinking about how we impact our planet in our daily lives. It’s the only one we have. At first, these suggestions may seem excessive or strange, but I promise, after a week or two, they’ll feel like second nature. So, I hope you take up these tips, and enjoy my guide to be a greener student!

Disclaimer: I understand that being green can be expensive, with little reward besides a cleaner lifestyle and conscious. I’m a financially impaired student, just like many of you. I’m not one to go around attacking people for not trying to be sustainable, just passing along tips I’ve picked up. That said, most of these tips can be modified, with a dash of creativity, to fit your monetary needs. And, obviously, I’m not saying that if you’re struggling to feed yourself you should go drop all your money on recycled notebooks, because that would be ridiculous.

Open the Read More to, well, read more!

Keep reading

Simple guide on how to create less waste

Zero Waste Kitchen 🥕

I always make a point to buy carrots plastic bag free at the grocery store. It is a more expensive option, but I budget so I can make decisions like this. Then I store them in a jar with water so they don’t get all bendy and go bad sooner.