It is safe to say 2020 was a challenging year for most of us, as we had to be creative and adapt our daily activities to meet the constraints of a global pandemic. In-person gatherings with friends and family were done virtually and/or from a distance, visits to the gym had to be substituted with outdoor or at-home workouts, and we pushed extra hard to keep our mental, physical, and emotional well-beings in check.
One of my biggest personal challenges in 2020 was adapting my earth-friendly habits. As someone who is used to bringing their reusable bags, containers, utensils, and tumbler everywhere, the new safety measures in grocery and food service operations meant a large shift in my minimal-waste habits. While I support these protocols to help keep us all safe and healthy, it was a mental struggle for me to come to terms with the fact that I might be generating more trash in 2020 than I had in the past five years.
What really helped me shift my focus to something more positive was a quote from my favorite blogger, Anne Marie Bonneau, aka the Zero Waste Chef: “Just because we can’t reach the zero in ‘zero-waste’ is no reason to take zero action.” The zero-waste movement isn’t about being perfect or being able to fit all our trash in a mason jar, it is about focusing on what we can do to minimize our environmental footprint. I love that the Co-op recently put out an Earth-Friendly Resolutions Bingo challenge for 2021 full of great examples of what we can do, and am looking forward to participating! In the meantime, here are some of my favorite earth-friendly habits from 2020 that I plan to continue in the new year. If you love the six R’s (reduce, refuse, reuse/repurpose, repair, regift, recycle), I think you’ll also appreciate these six S’s!
SUBSTITUTE (or make it from SCRATCH). Focusing on staying home pushed many of us to get creative with what we have. Practice mindfulness before purchasing something. Is it possible to make a homemade version or find a substitute, or can you forego the item entirely? Some of my favorite DIY products from 2020 were lotion from whipped coconut oil, oat milk, vegetable stock from scraps, and homemade roasted peanut butter. Making your own or skipping the item entirely can save on packaging, and maybe even prevent an unnecessary trip to the store!
SKIP the produce bags. Buying a few limes? A single avocado? A bunch of bananas? Save the plastic/paper bag and place the produce loose in your cart or basket when you can. Co-op shoppers can also still skip paper grocery bags by bringing in reusable ones and bagging their own groceries.
SUPPORT Local. While I was initially hesitant about getting take-out from restaurants because of all the disposable ware, I always try to remember that it is so important to support our local businesses, especially during this time. One small way to ease the amount of trash when ordering carry-out or delivery is to request “no utensils” when ordering. Or, if available, show your support by buying yourself a few gift cards to use later. The Palouse is also home to many local retail establishments where you can find a perfect gift for your next birthday or anniversary.
SHARE your successes with your friends (and the Co-op) on social media, or start an earth-friendly challenge with your peers. Someone may be inspired by you!
SPEAK up. We can all make a difference with our own practices as individuals, but we can create even bigger positive change by supporting and advocating for policies and practices that protect our environment. Email a suggestion to the Co-op or fill out a comment card, write to your representative, or research legislation that affects our environmental footprint.
STAY the course. It is okay to acknowledge feelings of loss, sadness, and guilt over how difficult it has been to practice some of our favorite earth-friendly habits during the last year, but that doesn’t mean we should give up. Whether you found some of these ideas helpful, get inspired by the Co-op’s bingo challenge, or think of some creative ideas on your own, remember that all efforts, no matter how big or how small they are, make a difference.