Zero Waste As A Disabled Person: Helpful Or Harmful? [CC]

[@suzanneellis446]

As the owner of a Zero Waste business and as a human being, I am horrified that some people would waste shame anyone who has to take medication to stay alive or be able to live as normal a life as possible. Big companies do need to tackle the waste issue, individuals can vote with their wallets, where it is safe to do so, to show the big companies we won't stand for it. Every little thing any individual does can make a difference, so keep on doing the things you can and dont feel guilty about the things you can't change. Much love. 😊😘

[@aritrueswell7841]

You made so many great points in this video! I think a lot of people who promote "zero waste" forget that the real issue with waste and pollution isn't really even individual consumption - it's companies not being held responsible for the waste their products create and the resources they consume. Yes, individuals should do what they can to reduce their waste and consumption where possible, but it's just not possible for everyone and picking yourself and other people apart for every little habit is not that productive and makes people feel awful. I'm trying to cut myself some slack when it comes to waste production because I realized my drive to produce as little waste as possible was getting in the way of me actually feeding myself properly...

[@barrytaylorprofoundlydeafi2479]

PS thank you for the mention about the masks! I am annoyed how much packaging these use! Another thing is why can't we have rechargable hearing aids on the NHS? How many hearing aid batteries do you get through each week! My batteries used to last up to 3 weeks when my loss was mild but now I am lucky to get 3 days! I try to recycle them! We have at least 8 charity shops! So I have found a lot of compression stockings in charity shops rather than big brand ones! I use toothpaste pills! I hate the waste from my hearing aid tubes! There has to be a better way! At least my red/white cane will last for years if I need it! Only need new tips! I have a mini orchard in my garden,plum,apple,and pear trees,I grow my own strawberries! And a tip if you ladder a pair of tights in one leg! Cut the non laddered one off,and when you ladder another pair use them as stockings! And the pant part of tights use as shorts! There are ways to save the planet 🌈🌈❤️

[@erenthewitch818]

for people who struggle with insertion or just having things in there, reusable pads instead of a menstrual cup have been a godsend for me. they take some getting used to, as they're not sticky and need adjusted every so often, but can be made at home and work great

[@katrinastacie]

Thank you so much for such an insightful and thoughtful video. And totally agree with you about the masks - recently bought a bunch of individually packaged masks because I wanted higher quality masks as I'm always around my grandparents. Sending warmth your way! 😊

[@uboaappears]

What a great video, this is a really good topic to talk about! I think the bottom line is that people should use what they need, and people who don't need excessive plastic like straws etc should try to reduce them. I think it's good for cafes and stuff to offer alternatives to plastic straws for example, but they should have alternatives for those who need them too. We'll have more luck with systemic lobbying than individual action only, imo. I think there are some projects of battery-free and eco-friendlier electric toothbrushes, btw! As for masks, I recommend Etsy, there are a ton of sellers who make their own masks and don't package them in plastic, plus you're supporting small businesses. Very much seconding charity shops, they're great. As for soap, there are some shops that allow you to bring your own bottles and refill them, and I wish this was more mainstream everywhere. Same with foods. Again, I think it just needs to become an everywhere thing. Gardening is also great, plus it's relaxing and good for your mental health 🌼 [cw: suicide for below] Another point regarding the blister packs is that while they produce more waste, they actually help reduce the rate of suicide. Because popping pills one by one from the pack requires a lot more time and effort than swallowing the contents of a pill bottle. Weird but true, there's data to support this too. opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/06/02/a-simple-way-to-reduce-suicides/ So I don't really know if I want to lobby for pills being refillable in bottles, even if it would be eco-friendlier... it's a difficult one.

[@barrytaylorprofoundlydeafi2479]

Yet another thought provoking video! Seeing your box full of boxes of medicine's is similar to me each month,I have statins,heart,blood pressure pills,controlled painkillers,blood thinning pills! To put it bluntly apart from pain relief most are to keep me alive! Are you like me max take all the pills out of their boxes and put them in a pill box! I do recycle them but what a waste! I then have incontinent supplies in sealed packs! I get 4 weeks worth delivered each month! Night bags have long plastic tubes which if they were tied together they line up for miles! And leg & night bags have to be destroyed they cannot be recycled there are times I feel guilty about being disabled! The drain on the NHS the waste! I have asked why leg & night bags could be made to last for weeks not days! The pills could come ready loose in a sealed paper bag! Not blister packs! I try my best but I feel like I am abusing the planet! It's time everyone made a stand over to much packaging!! ♿💖💖

[@GeeklingNo1]

You can add silicone tips to your metal straws so they don’t get so cold. I have sensory issues and the cold metal irritates me but paper straws are way way worse so I use the silicone ends every time.

[@danatronics9039]

The plastic straw debate is so worthless. You know what makes a way bigger impact on ocean plastics? *Not eating fish*. Fishing nets are something like half of the total plastic waste in the ocean.