ZERO WASTE NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS! How to live low waste in 2024

[@karendunlop3534]

I really appreciate your channel because as a disabled, chronically ill person, so many environmentalist channels talk about things that are not accessible to me. I don’t have to ability to cycle everywhere, for example, and I end up feeling defeated and shamed. I so appreciate your perspective and content.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

So true! I want to show easy and free ways that still make a great impact :) Thank you for your support :)

[@melinnamba]

When I put together my everyday carry utensil set I remebered that my parents still had the toddler cuttlery from my childhood sitting in their utensil drawer. It was just sitting there taking up space. So I figured it's nice and small, still perfectly usable, has cute animal designs on it and I do have an emotional attatchment to it, I might aswell reclaim it and make it my edc utensils set. Sustainable living is allowed to be fun after all. Also, I used to consider myself a baby zero waster, but recently realized that I actually already do a lot. I think I have reached toddler stage by now. Almost all of the thing on this list I have either implemented already, or tried, though a lot didn't work for me yet. Somethings I have tried and retried until I found a way to make them work, so I'll keep doing that. Sometimes you just need to get used to an idea. Like you mentioned, I used to think reusable tissues are super weird and now I am going to upcycle old and decluttered t-shirts into tissues, as soon as I find the time, and I am actually excited about it.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

That's a great idea! We all go at our own paces :)

[@kdc.archive]

I'm an artist and a lot of my canvases are upcycled decor from thrift stores ♥️ a little sanding and gesso and boom!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

that is the coolest!!!

[@Kereea]

That's actually a really good idea. You probably even get a frame along with it!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@Kereea true!!

[@ngairepowell2022]

I love my local buy nothing group in Australia

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Such a great way to declutter and find things!

[@buzzybee186]

Shade grown, bird friendly coffee!! I just went to a veterinary lecture on conservation and there was a really interesting study done on seed dispersal and population growth of birds residing in or around shade grown coffee areas. It makes total sense but it was something that I hadn't thought of. I previously heard of bird friendly or rainforest alliance coffee but I hadn't really pursued it much further. I already ordered my first purchase of 2 lb, it is expensive around $20 a pound but I figure I can savor each morning cup and then just have tea in the afternoon since I already have a bunch of tea bags loafing around.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

hmmm interesting! Thanks for that :)

[@danieldendler6289]

Most Home Depot, Lowes, Advanced Auto, Orielly’s, and some local hardware stores all offer free or low cost tool rentals. Even for common hand tools like drills and saws.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

That's such a great idea, thanks for adding :)

[@masakimoayra00]

I really like your list especially writing/speaking to your local government as that's something I need to work on. Also, I should look into those no buy groups as well

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Me too! We can do this together this year :) No Buy groups are a God send!

[@greenplantgrrl]

yay i love starting sustainable goals!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

it can be so fun :)

[@ciannacoleman5125]

I like the idea of cycling to the grocery store but I usually go on the way home from work. I did just make my first produce bag since one of my goals this year is cutting out plastic bags. Been composting and reusing containers for years, this year’s swap goals are hankies and shampoo bars. I would consider a bidet but probably not until I have my own house.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

What great ideas for the new year!

[@joanofkaduna]

I was just about to make a similar video but especially from a Nigerian angle and I'm glad your video could act as a guide. Welldone

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

That would be so cool to see other perspectives on this!

[@helenferridge7378]

Yes! This last year I have implemented meal planning for my work lunches. I have found I have so much less food waste because I have a plan of how I am going to use the food! I am not perfect, but it has definitely cut down on waste!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

That's amazing!! Good for you :)

[@vanessabrumage]

January we finished up the last of our bottled shampoo, and now are trying shampoo bars. It's not a perfect brand, but it's a start with cardboard packaging with what we could get from Target. We still haven't picked what our swap for February will be, but as soon as I need to replace something I'll start looking.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

That is so exciting best of luck!

[@shaunaburton7136]

It's veganuary! My town has a bunch of discounts at restaurants vegan options. It might be worth checking veganuary specials in your area.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Happy veganuary! That is sooo cool I hadn't heard of that before!

[@mariadesantiago8696]

My New Year’s resolution is to get a bidet and completely do away with disposable period products.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

YESSS! Two of my top swaps: bidet and period undies!

[@jettascorner21]

Great stuff! I have similar resolutions. I hope to be able to buy most things secondhand, recycle (though the options are just limited to plastic bottles), find better lowwaste alternatives for my daughter's school snacks and switch fully to compostable sponges.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Thanks, Jetta! That would be amazing :)

[@mandydowney4381]

Loved the video. I like the resolution challenges. My hubby and I started looking for ways to be more aware. We went solar in Oct and seem to be a net producer. I am trying to tackle the upcycle w t-shirts- hankies, rags, unpaper towels, and face scrubies...thinking I will enjoy the upcycle something once a month! And I really loved your pandemic reusable bag problem. Used it when the bagger used up all my reusables...just put it in the cart no plastic please.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Thank you! Those are amazing :)

[@amberkhan5782]

Happy New year!! And congrats on your exciting your announcements 😍👏 i always look forward to seeing your content!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Thanks so much, Amber! Happy New Year :)

[@amandaspaulding7839]

Great video! I appreciate the motivation.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Thanks so much, Amanda!

[@TheAlmighty]

Trying to be more eco conscious and just wanted to say you have great tips! Love the channel dude

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

You got this! Thanks so much, welcome to the eco team :)

[@amandaneale5180]

Happy new year x

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Happy New Year, Amanda :)

[@zoeyarymowich9708]

That's such a creative idea joining 1% for the planet!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

aww thank you! i'm not the first tho

[@Kereea]

Yeah, I think the only things I'm buying for my reduced plastic/waste this year are detergent (I'm going to be out in a couple months and want to go back to the Seventh Generation concentrate over this other eco brand I tried, smaller package for same # of loads) and plastic free deodorant once my current one runs out. And maybe a new shampoo bar depending on how quickly I go thru what I have (the gym's been greasing up my hair a lot lately). Otherwise I'm probably as set as I'm going to be on a lot of things, tho I plan to knit more rough cotton scubbies to use as sponges once I get my own place. I actually lucked out and got some great kitchen knives and scissors from my late great aunt's kitchen, so that's less I need to buy when I get my own place. They're really old and sturdy and should hold up a long time.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

You should check out my laundry review! Seventh Gen isn't the best alternative, but better than some. I have two laundry reviews now :) Wow that's a great second hand find, you got this!

[@chrstopherblighton-sande2981]

Happy New Year to you Emma! Lots of great ideas in this video. A tip I have involves washing laundry. Recently our washing machine broke and because of not leaving the house or having anyone come to the house (due to pandemic + severe OCD) I've not been able to fix it or replace it. So I've been hand washing mine & my other half's laundry with the help of a small, portable, hand powered washing machine. Now while I don't advocate anyone washing all their laundry by hand (it's super time consuming & very tiring) I would however advocate using some sort of small non-electric washing machine (or simply washing by hand) to wash some smaller, more frequently washed items, instead of washing them on their own in a regular washing machine. Reduces water & electricity consumption. (And helps your clothes last longer too I believe).

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Thank you! Washing by hand is great if you have the time, it can use less water and make your clothes last SO much longer!

[@MagicalMandi]

Great list. I'm doing a lot of these now and a few I can still incorporate. I started back in October but made sustainability my New Year Resolution.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Good for you! Happy New Year :)

[@natdobes]

I would love to see a video on sustainable/eco friendly foods- I saw that you use Earth Balance butter in this video which is made up of oils that are really bad for both yourself and the environment (palm and canola etc) which always boggles my mind since it’s literally called “Earth Balance” ??? It’s something I’m super confused about because it’s so hard to know what is good for the environment and what is not because of greenwashing! Also, vegan diets always claim to be more eco friendly but always fail to point out that so many of the vegan alternates that are on the market are even more detrimental to our planet’s health and our own!! Would love to hear your perspective! Love your channel so much:)

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

i do not want diet advice :) and it is vegan butter so it is better than dairy. i have lots of videos on my channel about why vegan is better for the planet, can palm oil be a better option, food waste, and much more :) be sure to check out my vegan video. There are no vegan alternatives to my knowledge that are truly worse than meat products. but even then, stick to whole foods plant based and that is the most eco you can get, esp local!

[@veg2489]

LOVE your channel!!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

You are so kind thank you!

[@whoah567]

Thanks for the video! Would love to see your thoughts on the 100% recycled plastic Coke and Dasani bottles that are now found in US convenience stores.

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

ughhhhhhhh don't even get me started. I love that it's a step in the right direction but it's MAJOR greenwashing!!

[@itsonlyme2011]

❤❤ great ideas

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Thank you :)

[@dominika1203]

so happy for you you have launched Patreon 😊

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

Me too! If you become a Patron, please let me know what you want to see from me and please be patient as I am learning the new platform :)

[@dominika1203]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist of course 😊

[@lottie2552]

I have been following you for a while now and absolutely love your videos! Can I just ask what do you use your jars for? You've saved tonnes and I'm not sure if I've missed a video on it or not but I would love to know and have some ideas for what I could use ours for. I'm in the UK! Xxx

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

You're so kind! I use them for everything: storage, bulk shopping, cups/mugs (especially for to go), I pack lunches in them, overnight oats, snacks on the go, propagating plants, hope this helps!

[@lottie2552]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist this is great!! Going to use some of these ideas! Currently on the journey of convincing my boyfriend to be more sustainable!!! 🤣 Thank you so much!!! Xx

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@lottie2552 Best of luck!

[@rh7968]

your new home is nice!

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

aww thank you!

[@maddyg4024]

Thanks for the content! 😊 love the announcement of applying for the " 1% for the planet"! I know I'm watching this video half way through 2022, but were you ever approved? Or is there another video updating on this?

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

omg you know what, I never heard back from them! Thank you for reminding me to follow up! I can't belive it's nearly August WHAT?!

[@yupp5125]

It told me 45 searches

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

not sure what you mean

[@yupp5125]

@@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist for Ecosia

[@TheSimpleEnvironmentalist]

@@yupp5125 ohhhh right, right, I didn't know it was THAT many, dang