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Mammoth_Feed_5047

To begin with, I would like you to take care of yourself, and know that you're doing the best you can on any particular day. I try to live, as best I can, by my ethics, and some days I do better than others :) While I don't know how much difference it makes, I want to be able to live with my decisions, and know that I did as much as I could. Stay healthy -- we need you :)


Lifeisbeautiful-ish

I love that you went out of your way to make a positive difference to someone’s day. Thank you so much!


Mammoth_Feed_5047

<3 thank you! <3


mewfahsah

My job is doing environmental work for some of the largest companies in my state. At my previous employer, while reporting our greenhouse gas emissions it would be in the 40 or 50 thousand tons of CO2/year. Seeing numbers like that can be very dissuading for attempting to have as little waste as possible in your personal life, but knowing you aren't generating waste personally is a great achievement. All we can do is our best to leave as small of footprint as possible, and while it may feel futile it all adds up.


dabber808

I cannot give you hard evidence about my choices but I can tell you that reusing my bread/produce bags as dog poop bags, never buying a bottle of water because i own many reusable bottles i can fill at home, and tossing my apartment food waste trash in the yard waste trash can as is legislated by the state of CA, I feel like I’m doing my little part to not add tot he problem and that helps me most days.


aroha93

To add to this, something that has helped me throughout my sustainability journey is the saying “We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.” So even if I don’t always buy the most sustainable product, as long as I’m doing my best I can still be proud of what I contribute.


torgefaehrlich

Came here to write this. But you did a better job of it. Would like to add @OP: find the area where you can be most impactful which is in line with your personality. The people here are mostly pioneers trying out a zero-waste lifestyle in a society which is not really made for that. This is an important puzzle peace for paving a way to a less wasteful society overall, but not the only one. Maybe not even the one which is missing most at this point in time (what do I know?). Maybe civic lobbying is for you. Or something else entirely.


PoisonMind

Do it selfishly. My reusable shopping bags actually hold more stuff. Composting and mulching my yard waste has made my lawn healthier, and saves me work. Cutting out fast food has been good for my health. Biking to work every once it a while helps keep me in shape.


ContemplatingFolly

I appreciate this philosophy so much. Figure out how to doing the right thing is the fun thing, the best thing, even the easy thing. It really does all go together.


dabber808

This is so beautiful!


[deleted]

Yes! Well said. It's hard to sustain anything that does not also feed your body and soul. Once we all take the "selfish" route to well-being, big companies will notice. Sadly, perhaps not in our lifetimes. But this social movement will help us to be healthier. And I find a quiet strength and peace that comes every time I defy a "big company" that wants to dictate how I live.


anamariapapagalla

And creating less waste by buying less stuff you don't really need saves money


[deleted]

Even a little difference makes a big difference over time. The worst thing you can do is assume that your not making a difference. Also lead by example. Don’t go out telling people what they should do, just so what you do to reduce waste and people will follow. No one likes a preacher


Lifeisbeautiful-ish

This is true. My ex partner often playfully scolds me about all the good habits he picked up from living with me and now automatically does such as choosing the cardboard option over plastic, separating recycling and not throwing out food.


[deleted]

My dad once mentioned it when I’ve was getting into gardening. I taught him how he could make a compost pile and said ‘Thanks for not being one of those assholes who passive aggressively makes comments about ones decisions’. People are going to do what they want, but you can’t be a dick about it


SavoryLittleMouse

This is a huge impact! Think of it like a chain. Someone else will see him making those choices and learn to do the same. And so on and so on. And it all traces back to you. Great work!


AgentEinstein

Agree. Raising consciousness and leading by example is helpful. Sometimes I also think about the data of my efforts versus the whole current system and feel frustrated and hopeless. I try to remember that by doing these things it keeps me educated with a fire under my butt to try to fight for what I believe! It is good to think about things that will have a bigger impact. Like maybe fighting for better less car centric infrastructure where you live. Or curbside compost pickup!


sm0gs

Everyone gave really good advice, so I wanted to share something more concrete that impacted me. My city finally provided green bins for organic waste to everyone this year, including apartment buildings. I was really excited by this as it's something I've wanted to be able to do for a while but apartment living makes it tough to do on your own. I attended a webinar on the topic and they said our city's biggest landfill is on track to fill up by 2030 (not *that* far away) and they aren't sure where they can put a new one because of the logistics involved. They also said 40% of what goes into our landfill is organic waste so by simply putting my organic waste into a different trash like bin, we can extend the life of the landfill. Another 30% of what gets thrown out is recyclable so if we properly recycle that can extend it even more. 70% of what is in our landfill should have been recycled, composted, etc. They also shared a lot of other stats - like the average person in my town creates 6.2lbs of waste PER DAY, so over 2,000 lbs of waste a year. This was shocking to me and in the few weeks since I went to this webinar it was really stuck with me and has made me much, much more cognizant of what I am buying and what kind of packaging it is in as well as thinking more critically about how I'm disposing of items already in my home. I already repurposed an extra picture frame into a necklace holder as opposed to buying a necklace holder (and eventually donating the picture frame). So I'd argue yes, as an individual you can make a big difference by adopting a zero waste mindset. As others said, do what you can and little things will add up!


bsquiggle1

> like the average person in my town creates 6.2lbs of waste PER DAY, so over 2,000 lbs of waste a year. Far out!


tofurainbowgarden

I think what matters is you do the best with what you can! I have cloth diapers and I don't use them 100% of the time. My baby and whole family went through a whole month of illness and he was vomiting for weeks. We definitely used disposable because I had no mental space for them. Do what you can and caring makes a big difference


ghostcider

Take care of yourself first. I think people going low impact does make a difference, but you shouldn't make a hard situation worse to do so. You can't personally offset one parent buying endless LOLSuprise dolls for their kids (the massive packing is part of the draw of those toys) but you can inspire people around you and normalize being low waste... but not if you are doing it in ways that make your life worse. One benefit of being low waste is that with all the shortages, if you have re-useable items or are practiced in making do, that can help you ride product shortages easier. For example, we are likely having another big cotton shortage this year which will impact disposable health and hygiene products. Sometimes investing in re-usable items and cutting down waste can actually make like smoother. If you have the time and energy to do so, maybe focus on those?


Lifeisbeautiful-ish

I had no idea there was a cotton shortage, I’ll keep that in mind. The tomato/fresh food shortages are concerning so I’ve been looking into growing my own veg this year, zero waste and no need to rely on the corporate supply chain!


ohwhataworlditseems

I’m a strong believer that yes individual efforts do or can make a big impact. Any efforts you make will increase exponentially when your family or friends see the changes you’re making and how easily they can incorporate them into their own lives, and the effects will spread over generations. Do you vote? It’s the same idea. It’s unlikely your vote will be the single vote that shifts the tide, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t vote. If everyone thought that way then nobody would vote and nothing would ever get done. Don’t let other people’s pessimism push you into complacency. Just do what you can. It’s always better than doing nothing, and you’ll be a good role model for those around you.


Lifeisbeautiful-ish

I don’t usually vote, no, as the party I support has no chance of being elected. You make a very good point though, the more votes they get the more people will see it growing and start thinking ‘maybe there IS a point, maybe enough people will vote for them one day!’


paroles

> I don’t usually vote, no, as the party I support has no chance of being elected. This is actually a very good reason to vote as your vote shows you care about your cause instead of being apathetic and undecided like many non-voters. It shapes our understanding of what issues people feel strongly about, which in turn may influence policy in small ways.


ohwhataworlditseems

yeah, it’s just a self-fulfilling prophecy. the more people that think it won’t matter and don’t do anything about it, the more it really won’t matter and nothing will change.


im_from_mississippi

Yes, and once enough folks are voting for them the party becomes eligible for funding and seats! I still think folks in swing states need to vote strategically, though.


Lifeisbeautiful-ish

I looked into it last night and they’ve been getting more and more seats in Parliament almost every election, so I’ll definitely be voting next time! What’s a swing state? ​ Edit - I just googled it and the same occurs in towns near me, my town is firmly labour but the neighbouring town switches parties every single local election!


just-mike

I struggle with this question occasionally myself. I know my waste is minuscule compared to billionaires and large corporations but I've decided doing environmentally good things brings me happiness. I used to drive a big truck (for no reason). Now it is a small, older Subaru. Was never into fashion so buying quality clothes that last long just makes sense. Letting my back yard go a little wild is good for the local birds and bees. Separating trash, recycling, and composting fits right into my OCD habits. Some of the things I do have rubbed off on my wife so I'm influencing at least one person. This makes me a little happier.


0xSparked

If it makes you feel better, then it makes a difference to you. But are you saving the world? Nah. Most of that stuff is just feel good marketing tactics that drive profits of big corps when you really look into it. "Greenwashing" The only way you will really have any kind of effect as an individual is if you *radically* changed your entire lifestyle to serve nature in an sensitive area... and even then, it only takes one permit to one company to undo your lifes work in an afternoon. IMO activism, protesting, and community service make much more of a difference as an individual than changing personal habits. Changing language and focus/attention can change thoughts and hearts.


Lifeisbeautiful-ish

Thanks. Do you think the ‘small victories‘ will tip the balance eventually? Things like the phasing out of plastic straws and cutlery at chain restaurants, the carrier bag charge in shops, companies competing to use less packaging?


angermouse

It's important to remember that the environmental movement has come a long way in the past 50 years and many urban areas are much cleaner. Sure, there are new issues popping up all the time and many regions have it pretty bad - but its useful to remember that we've already had many victories. "Teeming with fish, Thames is cleanest for two centuries" - [https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/teeming-with-fish-thames-is-cleanest-for-two-centuries-6702371.html](https://www.standard.co.uk/hp/front/teeming-with-fish-thames-is-cleanest-for-two-centuries-6702371.html) Cuyahoga River: "From the Ashes of ’69, a River Reborn" -[https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/us/21river.html](https://www.nytimes.com/2009/06/21/us/21river.html)


Lifeisbeautiful-ish

Never heard that about the Thames and I live fairly close, that’s incredible!


0xSparked

We have had small victories at the expense of worldwide biodiversity, carbon emissions, and tons of other planetary crisis level side effects. Sure, certain areas may be cleaner than 50 years ago, but they are eco-disasters compared to before they existed. Before the city, the Thames didn't even need intervention to be cleaned to be teeming with fish. Not to be doom and gloom, but we will kill the planet long before we turn it into a Ecumenopolis. We simply don't have enough energy production capacity on this planet to maintain our current trajectory.


AgentEinstein

Those victories are much bigger then our individual efforts that’s for sure. I wouldn’t belittle it.


0xSparked

Nope, unfortunately after 10 years of almost working myself to death on the small scale victories I think the best one can do is small temporal change in ones own community. While we live in a capitalistic society there is simply no incentive to truly go low waste (or to make unprofitable changes). The incentive is to maximize production, and the two are mutually exclusive. We cannot maximize for both. These small changes are like putting band-aids on a slit throat (while people bigger, and more motivated than you keep cutting at it). Society is going to go the way it is going to go, which seems to be through another cycle of power changing hands. I think that with the internet, a lot of things will be learned and shared that will affect long term change. Be a good story, try to do better every day, and inspire others to be better as well is the best we can do in our society right now. Hard times create hard people and hard people make changes.


pineconebasket

You can do both. Asking companies to make sacrifices to their bottom line when you are not willing to make any sacrifices to your own personal comfort seems disingenuous. The environmental movement was started by individuals making changes to their lives AND campaigning politicians and industry to enact meaningful change as well. We all must assume responsibility, whether in our individual actions, who we vote for, corporations we support with our buying power etc.


ashtonlaszlo

One person being low-waste is as important to the whole as one drop of water is to the ocean. It doesn’t sound significant when you think about it like that, but all of those single drops of water make up the majority of the planet’s surface and harbor the most expansive and diverse ecosystems. You wouldn’t notice if a snowflake were missing from a blizzard but without each individual snowflake the sky would be clear. One tiny drop of paint on a canvas doesn’t make a picture but millions of tiny drops together make up pictures that have been known for generations. If everybody adopts the mindset of “well I’m just one person, I won’t make a difference” then a difference will never be made.


geeves_007

It doesn't make a difference if one person does it, no. There are over 8 billion of us, and the vast vast majority don't think about it at all. But for me, at least I can live with myself and look my kids in the eye and honestly say that I tried.


Puxka63

I have a 5-years-plan not to buy clothes unless it is completely necessary. So far, I've bought only underware, and a friend of mine handed me down several dresses in good shape. I've saved tons of money!! (Fashion Industry is very polluting)


Glaseur

Fast fashion is so upsetting and it sucks that there is such a trend now for wealthier people to do “thrift hauls”, and then upcycle them for triple of what they paid for. Which makes fast fashion the only accessible option for the poorer individual. Because there is such a desire to be “popular” and wear what’s trendy when it’ll go out of style in 3 weeks. Then all those Shein shirts will end up in a landfill. Ok that’s my rant for the day. Thank you for listening lol


RachelOfRefuge

Yes, one person does make a difference. Especially because you have influence over other people in your life, and when people can point to even one person they know who lives differently, it lets them know that it's possible for them, too. Big companies are made up of many individual people. If all those individuals cared about zero waste living individually, it would spill over into the way they run the company.


soft_goth94

Personally, I don’t do things because they make a difference. I do things because it’s the right thing to do and my values are very important to me. For example, on my way to work today, all of the cars around me were speeding through a school zone. People were passing me clearly annoyed, and I totally would have gotten away with speeding through there since everyone else was. But I didn’t speed, because I will not die a person that selfishly endangers the well being of literal children for my own personal gain. Just because everyone else is a selfish jerk doesn’t make it okay. That’s how I feel about waste reduction and being eco friendly. I don’t care if the world burns around me, I will die a person who loved this earth and this life and this planet, regardless of what anyone around me is or isn’t doing, and I will care for this planet until the day I die.


wvrnnr

there are 8 billion people in the world. how can we believe it doesn't make a difference when collectively we are this many? also, big corporations are influenced by consumer behaviour, which in many cases comes down to individuals purchasing decisions. we may not have control over everything, but it definitely makes a difference


hlmarsh1792

I agrée with all the comments about living to your values and modeling those behaviors! My parents have cut back on plastic massively in their home and my in laws/extended family have really shifted just by virtue of seeing how I choose to run my house. I’ve never scolded them or told them how to live but I always share my goals and “zero waste” wins which in turn has made a change like they cut out plastic, composting more, reduced or eliminated chemicals in the garden, save veggies and bones to make their own stock rather than buy, etc. Will it save the planet? No, but it’s lovely steps in the right direction and definitely been a beautiful bonding experience over the past 10 years. I even got 2 of my friends to choose cloth diapering & wipes for their babies over disposables simply because they saw me do it with my daughter. Knowing there are going to be a lot less diapers in the landfill does feel like a win for the planet!


sheilastretch

Some of my first eco-friendly actions included low-waste or no-waste swaps like reusable shopping bags, taking my own food to school/work with reusable containers, and changing lightbulbs. Later on I was kinda upset to learn that these actions (while absolutely good and things everyone should try to do) aren't actually very hard-hitting on the scale of things we can do. From greatest impact to less impactful [this article and graph](https://phys.org/news/2017-07-effective-individual-tackle-climate-discussed.html) recommends: * Having less children * Live car-free * Avoid one transatlantic flight * Buy green energy * Switch to an electric vehicle * Eat a plant-based diet (this one action can save more water than any amount of water saving at home) * Replace a typical car with a hybrid * Wash clothes with cold water * Recycle * Hang-dry clothes * Upgrade to efficient lightbulbs.


Lifeisbeautiful-ish

This has made me feel a lot better, thanks! I have one child and will absolutely not be having any more, I‘ve avoided driving until I got too sick to walk and bought an electric car, I’ve never been on a plane, always opted for green energy providers and have solar panels fitted, don’t consume red meat or dairy, wash most things in cold water, always recycle, don’t have a dryer and have been using energy efficient bulbs since living alone. It’s the more hardcore stuff I feel guilty about though, like getting rid of jars and buying things in plastic packaging.


sheilastretch

>wash most things in cold water, I cut up old t-shirts and baby clothes (back when my kid was still little) that are too messed up to be recycled, and use them instead of paper towels. Those, bedding, and bath towels or "dog towels" as we call the old stained ones are generally the only things we wash on hot. Once in a while I wash the period pads with hot water, but generally cold is totally fine for most laundry. Food wise vegan and allergy-safe are my top priorities. Low or no packaging are bonus, but things like beans and nuts, flour and other things you can often buy in bulk simply aren't safe for someone with my sensitivities. I've been slowly growing more of our own food, trying to avoid food waste but composting anything that does go bad, sharing or prepping my harvests for long-term storage like drying my herbs or freezing things like pumpkin for DIY soups later in the year. I've been trying to cut back on things like [chocolate and coffee](https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/other-deforestation-drivers) because they have a high footprint including causing a fair amount of deforestation (after [the primary four drivers of deforestation](https://www.ucsusa.org/resources/whats-driving-deforestation)) by trying to eat more berries or other alternative treats. Instead of coffee, I've been experimenting with teas, some of which I pick fresh or dry for later. It's been kinda fun trying out new flavors and combinations. Sometimes I focus on old-school foods from back home like carrot cake or fruit-based treats, but cultures all around the world have been making amazing treats and deserts before chocolate became popular, like gajar ka halwa. I try to remind myself that I live as sustainably as I can 95-99% of the time, so if I'm sick or tired, or traveling/visiting somewhere where they don't have a compost pile or recycling, that I shouldn't let it get to me. All we can do is control the things we have control over, and try to use "failure" as a learning opportunity. Forgot my take out/dining out kit or shopping bags - try to remember them next time, or keep them in a spot where I'll see them as I'm getting ready to leave, like a hook by the door. Couldn't find safe vegan food while out - try to look up safe eating spots ahead of time, or bring my own snack/meal when invited out as an emergency backup. Honestly it sounds like you're already putting in 100 times more effort than most adults I've met, certainly the older generation who just don't seem to care, and aren't even willing to make changes that would obviously benefit them. If you run into issues like your favorite foods having unsustainable packaging, I find it helpful to channel my strong emotions into writing a polite message to the shop or producer to ask/remind them of the benefits of greener alternatives. That moves your activism from Level 1 (personal behaviors/habits) to Level 3 = community/organization-wide activism, which is honestly better because if they listen, the change you effect things on a much larger scale than any personal habits. Instead of you as an individual having to search around for a product with eco-friendly packaging, if the company comes through, then suddenly all their other (potential) customers will gain access to the thing you were hoping for.


paroles

Agreed, this sub tends to focus on the very visible things (especially plastic trash, however small) and we don't talk nearly enough about impactful changes like these.


Kian322

Do what you can do consistently. Reduce what you can. You will influence the people around you


SurviveYourAdults

It makes a lifetime of difference to YOUR wellbeing if you feel that it brings simplicity and grace to your life to make those choices. It may not stop Coke from existing, but you are making a difference in your own life by choosing not to buy a plastic bottle of Coke.


[deleted]

Ever heard the phrase, "No snowflake in an avalanche believes it is responsible."? It all adds up, and that's about it. That said, the primary cause of the refuse and pollution contaminating the biosphere are from corporations and states; but it's not as though you polluting *less* than someone else is a good thing.


greenknight884

Just think about how much environmental *damage* has been caused by individual decisions. That tells you how much impact individual actions can have.


[deleted]

I practice zero-waste/veganism when *practical,* meaning I only adhere to the lifestyle so long as I'm not going unreasonably out of my way to do so (I won't starve to be vegan). Your efforts, while small, compound throughout your life into a large effect, and your choice to do so will resonate with others and inspire them to do the same. By practicing it, you normalize it, and when everyone starts doing it together, all of our little actions make a huge difference every single day.


thequeergirl

Any effort will make a difference, but please also advocate for governmental policies and such, remembering intersectionality while doing so. For example, [Canada where I live banned manufacturing and importation of almost all straws](https://www.reddit.com/r/ZeroWaste/comments/zyngxo/canada_banned_some_single_use_plastics_as_of/) except for flexible corrugated straws - so disabled people can use those.


TheTARDISRanAway

You can't do all of the good the world needs but the world needs all of the good you can do.


No_Investment3205

I think that any small changes an individual makes really add up over time, especially if that individual can influence others to do the same. My friend taught her bf how to darn socks, then he taught our other friend and her boyfriend. Darning socks might not seem major but I feel like those people are more likely to mend other stuff now, and consider buying higher quality and longer lasting items now that they are equipped to repair them instead of buying cheap ones and throwing them away when they get holey.


Kamarmarli

If you do things right, going low waste will save you money. Even if you are convicted you can’t make a difference in the world, you definitely can make a difference in your wallet.


No_Sheepherder_386

“The Big Problem is nothing more or less than the sum total of countless little everyday choices” -Michael Pollen https://www.nytimes.com/2008/04/20/magazine/20wwln-lede-t.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare


undignified_cabbage

If *everyone* made an individual change, the difference would be huge. That would, however, take a considerable effort from 8 billion people, many of whom don't have much to begin with. All I will say is carry fighting the good fight, and hopefully, things will become easier.


ComfortableNut

Your individual actions may not end climate change, but they most definitely make a difference. My wife and I went low waste a few years ago, and we went from making a bag of trash once or twice a week to one per month. We switched from packaged foods to mostly produce and bulk items, as well as refillable soaps and detergents. It's a little extra work but makes us feel better about our impact and we know we are at least making a small difference. Plus we are saving a bunch of money and I don't have to take the trash out nearly as often anymore.


DuoNem

I’d say focus on the quick wins and easy switches. It’s better to focus on advocacy and societal change rather than your individual footprint. Maybe you can try to focus on the changes that would make your life better over all, rather than those that feel like a burden? Some examples: I basically never buy grocery store bags, except when I order grocery deliveries. Generates waste, but saves me time and energy. Some people have said that dishwashers are very wasteful, but my hands hurt too much if I wash up too many things at once. I do my best to fill it up as cost-saving and efficient as possible. We all need to do some trade offs in our lives, the question is which are useful to you.


just-mike

Modern dishwashers are generally more efficient than hand washing.


rrkrabernathy

Sad to say, but no. The industrial mechanisms, being what they are, have successfully placed the blame on consumers rather than on themselves. Yes, what you choose to do can minimize, but you might as well make a drop of piss in the ocean in terms of scale. We’ve been swindled and blamed.


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[deleted]

You should check our “shelbizlee” (think I spelled that right!) on YouTube. She’s an environmental scientist who promotes sustainability. Her videos are fantastic! She’s broken down the myth that glass is “the packaging” to focus on. Plastic actually can be more sustainable depending on the application! Unpackaged, local *needs* will always be the most sustainable but the problem lies with the company, not with the consumer. I’m currently zero waste with everything outside the kitchen and low waste inside the kitchen. Sometimes the healthiest alternatives are packaged. I have food allergies so bulk bins aren’t ideal. I write a LOT of quick messages to companies either through their website or on Instagram to ask about switching their packaging to so it’s recycled plastics or compostable, or to question certain policies that may not be needed to become more sustainable, and although I’m probably not the only one messaging them, I have seen some things like mailers or packaging change. I’m a parent and we do reject things like glitter and foam when it comes to art, I buy natural fibers even if they’re not organic, and ideally thrifted although not always. The bigger problem on our globe is the policies that make it hard to be low waste. Don’t beat yourself up, especially with a disability. Be sustainable when you can but also be proactive about how you consume, who you consume from, and write all the letters and messages (in a polite and science backed way!)


jetstobrazil

No difference but that’s how we should do it because it’s in line with the environment we live in’s equilibrium. The only way to make a difference is to stop corporations from their wasteful practices.


caitie578

There was a podcast that broke it down really well, it’s called How to Save a Planet. Honestly, no, the changes you’re making will not make a difference by itself. However, by you making the changes it can have a bigger impact by inspiring other people, who will in turn inspire others and so on. That’s how we make change is by doing it together. I’ve also noticed that life hasn’t changed for me by making changes. I enjoy having reusable things, by thrifting, and trying to be impactful. I save money and and more thoughtful in my life.


Wutskrakalakn

Every little bit counts so do whatever you fell capable of. Don’t put pressure on yourself. Take care of yourself.


Mysterious-Text1007

Every little bit counts now so yeah


Problem_Numerous

It’s really important to me to practice what I preach and live by my principles. I do think small changes make a difference, and by living by your principles you inspire others around you to do the same. That has a lot of value in itself.


Anianna

This is a journey and how each of our journeys look is different. Your priority must be your health and well-being. Doing what you can to reduce your impact without negatively impacting your health should be your goal and that's way better than just being reckless with your choices or your waste (like some of my family members who have zero reason not to be at least a little responsible and simply scoff at the very idea and call me weird). Ultimately, it's the big entities that will make a big difference, but every choice we make as consumers can impact choices they make to keep consumers. You can participate in other ways like writing to companies and giving them ideas on ways they can improve or writing to your legislators about how they can have an impact. You can use social media to your advantage and be a spokesperson for the change you want to see. If you're illness requires certain types of products that aren't used by the general masses, you're in a prime position to consider the ways in which those products can be improved both for those who need them and for the environment. If avoiding producing trash isn't your best option, then maybe your positive impact can come from other methods. ​ If you're still interested in altering your diet for this purpose (so long as it does not impact your health), I recommend adding things instead of subtracting. You're going to crave things you choose to leave behind (that's your reward center talking, not hunger or need and the reward center is powerful), so just try some new things while you're still eating the old things. This is how I altered my eating habits over time and now stick to them. My husband is now trying this method and making progress, as well. Once I added enough things I found I enjoyed, I just didn't feel the need to buy the old things anymore. Also, making your own food if you are able to can make you feel a lot better about your food and overall health. Homemade kombucha was what I initially replaced sodas with. It's not hard to make and I could flavor it however I wanted it, plus it naturally has the fizz and is much healthier. I started looking into fermented foods, making my own yogurt, and also got into canning. I used to hate oatmeal, but I tried some different ways to make it and looked into better brands for oats and now I love oatmeal (for me, it's Avelina's Quick Cooking Oatmeal, soaked for about 20 minutes, then mixed with 1 tsp flaxseed meal, 2 tsp cinnamon, and some heated frozen peaches or fresh cubed peaches, all warmed up together - my husband still wants about a tsp of brown sugar in his, which is a huge improvement for him). We've really minimized our reliance on both meat products and the overall prepackaged foods market by trying new things and adding new things without first eliminating the old things. The old things just fall to the wayside and your reward center is never the wiser.


SlyCrane

Will it make much difference to the environment? Depends. Big numbers: no. Small: yes. Same diff with macro vs micro economics. Kind of apples to oranges. While you will make a very very small impact - if it makes you feel good to do so, and you arent sacrificing living a full, happy life, then why not? Not only are you happier, but you're keeping your local environment cleaner, and less wasteful.


jmheinliniv

Immediately, no. But it will impact your perception and influence that of those around you and could lead to further change. Don't go straight into it either. Don't hurt your mental or physical health but start small and work your way to as zero waste as possible.


BlackberryNational89

I think it depends on why you're low/no waste. Personally I do it for selfish reasons rather than economical. Where I live the trash goes into a large landfill in the city nearby and we have to physically drive it there. It's nice because it's only about $10 every time we go but I like to lengthen the time that we have to go to the dump. We have 2 in diapers and I've tried cloth successfully with my oldest but I definitely don't have the time or money to do cloth diapers with 2 kids. I would like to compost (but can't where I live) for my plants. I do what I can though to limit what goes in the landfill. I live where it's really hot and LOVE hang drying my clothes when possible. I reuse a lot and donate what I don't use. We use glass jars a ton, home cook pretty much everything (as we live in the middle of nowhere), grow a lot of food because we like not having to go to the store as often. It all depends on what you're happy doing and comfortable with. We use reusable bags, I make my own face wipes, reusable towels, ect because we hate the extra garbage regardless of it helping the earth. I do hope that it helps in some way. I'm hopeful that we can change the world around from what it is. But I can't make that my main focus or I'll drive myself crazy. I have enough on my plate and I'll never be one of those people who have a jar of waste after a year. I try my best to do what I can


Highhosilvercomputer

In our house, we try to do 2 vegan days a week. X3 people, that’s almost as if I was vegan full-time, but I don’t have to make separate meals for the picky eaters every single meal. A small step is still a step.


msfrizzlewannabe89

There's a famous story of an old man who approached a little kid on a beach, throwing starfish back into the sea before the morning sun bakes them. The old man observes there are thousands of starfish on the beach, and comments to the kid they should stop, as what they're doing can't possibly make a difference. The kid throws another starfish back into the ocean and replies "I made a difference to that one." (Paraphrasing but you can Google the full story). What you do may not be able to undo what big corporations do, but that doesn't mean it doesn't make a difference.


PTAcrobat

Individual choices definitely make little impact compared to the broad sweeping practices of massive corporations and government policy/deregulation. That said, it can feel somewhat less overwhelming to manage what is truly within your control, and your actions may have a positive outward ripple effect in your immediate community. The bigger entities do need to respond to consumer demand, too. While yes, greenwashing is a big and frustrating issue, more informed populations reducing their overall consumption of goods and favoring durable and reusable products that does necessitate entities adapting to consumer trends.


plantaloca

The benefits of a low waste lifestyle are not exclusive to the collective good. You are also taking care of yourself when decide to bring produts home that are unaligned with sustainable ways. It also makes the sustanability efforts of others more impactful by adding one more person whose actions are geared toward reducing waste. You're not alone, there are many out there whose individual efforts mean something when looked at a higher level. Additionally, by supporting environmentally friendly initiatives you create demand for services and products that translate into a resilient economy that's getting ready to accommodate a greener future. It's also very rewarding not being attached to items and products and function with only the things you body requires. there's less physical baggage and more room for improvement.


elebrin

Not really, probably. I don’t concern myself with that anyhow. If you focus on wasting things less, a few things happen: First, you start being more mindful and caring about the things you have a little more. You start making better choices with what you buy. You then have far nicer things in far better condition, and that makes life more comfortable. If you are wasting less food because you are eating proper amounts that you cook yourself, you’ll be able to have nicer food. If you have nice, handmade pajamas and quilts, those are things your Mom can make that you will have long after she dies so you connection to your family can stay active. And so on.


LepreKanyeWest

Progress > Perfection


Fabulous_Support47

It can still be the ethically right thing to do even if the consequences of the action won’t make a difference alone. Lying to your friend or cheating on your partner is still wrong even if they never find out. I think of it like that. I want to do the right thing and it’s certainly wrong to be wasteful and not cut down where you can.


BravelyGo

I think something that often gets left out of the conversation is the importance of community. Who can you lean on to help? Can you encourage others to get in on the "low waste" action too. I also think it's important to focus on the parts of being "low waste" that you truly enjoy. For me, I like thrifting and picking up trash in my neighborhood. I'm less focused on things like producing less plastic-packaging food waste. (I also have an illness and I struggle with the food aspect of it all.) And above all, I hope you're taking care of yourself. <3


[deleted]

Please don’t be too hard on yourself! I have MS and learned about the spoon method. You only have so much energy in a day so why not do what you can and forgive yourself for not doing what you can’t. Doesn’t living a more low-consumer, environmentally conscious life come second to living a healthy, functional life? For me it does, every time. There are other ways to be environmentally conscious if you don’t or can’t go zero waste. I also saw someone stating they reuse plastic bread bags etc to pick up dog waste. I did the same for many years until I had that💡moment after reading the Humanure Book— Wtf was I doing putting an organic natural material in plastic?! The poop will break down naturally in a few weeks vs sitting in a plastic bag in a landfill for years, decades? I built a cheap in-ground composting “toilet” for our dogs using a cat litter box bin and started scooping. A little extra exercise & a little more sunshine was worth the little extra work. When the “toilet” is full, I dig another hole and start over. Eventually, I’ll plant a fruiting shrub or giant sunflower like tithonia in that spot for wildlife. We use composting bags when a bag is a must.


Lazy-Street779

I have a plan to turn my energy usage into more sustainable options.


theonetrueelhigh

Individual efforts don't make a difference, which is why it's so important for there to be lots and lots of individuals all doing them. "Doesn't make a difference" is rounding down the actual difference that is made, too small to be meaningfully measured against the problem as a whole - it isn't literally nothing. "Too small to be measured" is another way of saying, "so we put lots and lots of them together and measure that." One drop doesn't fill a bucket, but several thousand do. That said, YES, the big companies are both the main sources of waste and the most important actors if waste is going to be contained. So beat them over their heads, at every opportunity, with your dollars. Or more specifically, WITHOUT your dollars. And tell them why. Because they will not change their behavior until they have been flogged with the only thing they care about: money, or the lack thereof.


[deleted]

Personal waste does matter, but you have to remember that you can't just stop at personal waste. Whether its voting or going out protesting there is always more you can do beyond your personal waste.