Tips for Zero Waste Living - How a Family of 5 Makes Almost No Waste! | Life With Less Waste

To celebrate Plastic Free July we're bringing you the inspiring story of a zero waste/waste free family in Hobart, Australia. Lauren, Oberon, and their kids have found ways to produce almost no rubbish - they've only filled one small jar of waste in two years!
** More about the Carter family **
Book: "A Family Guide to Waste Free Living": www.panmacmillan.com.au/97817...
Website: spiralgarden.com.au/
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** Film credits **
Directed and written by Jordan Osmond & Antoinette Wilson
Produced by Antoinette Wilson
Cinematography and editing by Jordan Osmond
Story feedback and suggestions from Nick Tucker
** Thanks! **
To our wonderful supporters on Patreon, who helped make this film happen: Alex Muir, Angelika Smales, Barbara Clark, Brent Hefley, Brett Davidson, Cicely Jette Stewart, Dave Webb, David, Denise Bijoux, Dominik Haas, Geoffrey Torkington, Jess O'Shea, Jess, Luna Moon, Mariano Aran, Matthew Zimmer, Mehron Kugler, Michael Reynolds, Moana Kiff, Namaste Foundation, Permaculture, Pierre Blom, Rahul Banerjee, Rex & Jo, Ron Hastie, Ryan Pike, Sankar Madhavan, Sustainance Picton (Steve & Rebekah Hall), Tiitus Laine, Tony Schaufelberger, William B. Everett, Yolanda Charles.
** Subtitles and closed captions **
We love that so many people have translated for our films here on KZbin. If you’d like to be part of that community you can contribute by clicking the "..." below the video and selecting "Add translations" from the dropdown menu. Thanks for your help!

[@happenfilms]

Hi everyone! Awesome to see such a great response to this video. When commenting, please be respectful of the choices others make in regard to diet. This film celebrates a lifestyle decision that is positive and deeply thoughtful and an important step that we all need to be taking for the health of our one and only planet. It’s not a film about dietary choices, which is a complex, personal and equally important subject that we, the directors, chose not to make a focus here, even though this family had beautiful things of say on the subject. We’ll save that for another film! Wishing you the best on your own journey to living with less waste.

[@janpavelka7553]

Dietary choices are very very important for the enviroment, not good enough! Do the research happy family!

[@berondi]

Jan Pavelka Thanks, we have done the research. As the film makers explained, it was not the focus of the film. But that does not mean it is not important to us, or that we are ill-informed. Cheers, Oberon

[@berondi]

Home Love we have selected shoes that can be mended easily - the soles get replaced after they wear own. Avoid molded soles, as cobblers find them more difficult to repair. Our children’s shoes tend to be handed down to each child. Also, we’ve sometimes bought shoes secondhand. Cheers, Oberon

[@dsmith3614]

May I ask what you do regarding medication? Not just OTC, but prescription too (particularly if they are recurrent for a chronic condition) - do the pharmacists allow you to supply your own bottle?

[@berondi]

@@dsmith3614 We've been lucky to not require prescription meds. But if you do, then ask your pharmacist what alternatives might be available for receiving the medication. If they make it in-house, then you might have luck getting it in a reusable containers. If not, then you might want to send a polite letter to the company that makes the medication, asking for alternative packaging options (once, you're feeling better of course!). Cheers, Oberon

[@stacielliott3311]

“We don’t need a handful of people doing zero waste perfectly. We need millions of people doing it imperfectly.”

[@aishagranger1391]

Staci Elliott even if millions of people do it imperfectly, it isn’t going to make much of a difference. It’s big corporations that are making most of the waste/

[@user-nf4gm2no3u]

Aisha Zee if there’s less demand, the production of plastic will eventually decrease

[@downtoawhisper]

@@aishagranger1391 That's true. And it makes me mad that big companies are so careless with their resources. But you have to admit that each individual does have an impact. Almost nothing is sold without the use of plastic anymore. It's frustrating. I've made steps towards creating less waste, but this video encourages me to work even harder at it. I think every little difference counts.

[@TheAmazingHuman]

Perhaps. These people seemed very content and their kids were well adjusted. Maybe this is also a story about family health and happiness. I loved their story.

[@berondi]

@OhPlease a Hi there, where we live, we have access to farms that are using organic, regenerative agricultural practices to grow food with minimal impact to the environment. It's quite different to the broad scale agriculture industry, which we agree is harmful. We don't regularly consume meat from large mammals, and we consume much less meat and dairy than the average Australian household. Our main source of meat is wallaby mince, which comes from animals culled to protect vegetable crops, and is essentially a waste byproduct of the vegetable growing industry. We're glad to make use of it, and mostly feed it to our pets, who thrive on it. Cheers, Oberon P.S. I've never eaten red meat, other than some goat I tried in a curry once, and some wallaby meatballs that I tried once.

[@averycee5192]

Why is no one talking about that beautiful bread he made?!

[@berondi]

Thank you! I'm still learning how to bake - I've improved a lot since this video was made! :) Cheers, Oberon

[@gabrielabernal5181]

Why is no one talking that they eat fish and meat

[@InTheMays]

Gabriela Bernal you don’t have to be vegetarian/vegan to care about the environment

[@lexiloo9799]

@@gabrielabernal5181 I'm slowly transitioning to a vegan diet because of ethical reasons and how factory farming is destroying our planet, but it seems like this family gets most of their food from local farmers, therefore I think they're being environmentally conscious about their food choices as well.

[@berondi]

@@lexiloo9799 Most of the meat we buy is wallaby (for our pets) that has been culled as part of the protection of pasture and vegetable crops in my State.

[@jinhan5129]

Started making my own soap, house cleaner and toothpaste. Donated about 50% of my clothes, 40% of furniture I did not use, got rid of all plastic in the house, buying in bulk , refusing to buy packaged food as well. Incredibly liberating and satisfying. I am glad I am doing my part , however small, for the environment. Regards from Canada🇨🇦

[@rabelaqua6889]

Friendly reminder, you don't need to do something perfectly for it to be worth doing. Even if you can't do the same as this amazing family, it's better to do what you can than be put off by what you can't.

[@berondi]

We encourage people to do as much as they can. And a lot of people can do a lot more than they currently do to reduce waste - it might just need a bit more education or practical know-how. :)

[@BiancaJolyn]

I’m 20 and I’m slowly trying to be plastic-free and zero waste. Who else?

[@nataliejimenez8273]

I’m 13, and I will be trying to get my family to live zero waste! Of course, trying to do it step by step; it isn’t necessarily an immediate change.

[@pazeldog5522]

I want to be close to zero waste but the people around me including my husband do agree so much. 😒 maybe I can slowly change small things.

[@nataliejimenez8273]

PazElDog even changing a few things will impact the world more than it seems. The world is filled with plastic, so changing a few things would be fantastic! It’s a slow process, after all

[@milicicans]

i am 34 :D and my family of 4 is trying the best we can to be zero wast.

[@taranewman3111]

PazElDog slow change and leading by example is the best way to educate others... I'm 20 and trying to change to clean and sustainable living but my family aren't supportive. However, by showing them alternatives this past couple of years, they are gradually accepting and understanding the changes in trying to make. xxxxx

[@marisamelchiorre7120]

I'm glad that he at least mentioned that waste free living is not always accessible to all people in all life situations. It's a shame that waste free is so complicated. It can be a fun challenge and definitely doable, but if your biggest concern is paying for rent or groceries it's hard to make waste free a priority. It does tend to be more expensive. Companies definitely need to take responsibility!

[@catj.v.6904]

That and we don't all have access to waste-free options. I don't have any bulk stores near me and it's rare to find any plastic-free options in my local super markets. It is extremely difficult to maintain a waste-free or plastic-free lifestyle in some situations, and it can be really frustrating. I really just want to live as these people are, waste-free, but it's a shame when companies supplying your basic needs, like food, refuse to allow you to do so.

[@creativechik]

It wouldn't really be possible for me. Especially as I wouldn't have the patience to try composting everything that could be. I live in a small town here in NZ and I couldn't exactly keep chooks in my small yard.

[@andrada-mariapricop8986]

Yeah, I super loved their attitude. They are very respectful. I am really struggling with doing more on my part, but it's really difficult. Especially for buying in bulk. And it's also more expensive, which is an aspect that weighs a lot when I'm buying stuff. But I learned a few things from them that wouldn't be that difficult to implement in my lifestyle even though I live in a city.

[@benjaminteitelbaum1073]

Companies, governments, and local shops need to take a LOT more responsibility for this. However, living plastic free is often cheaper.

[@wibblewobble489]

@@andrada-mariapricop8986 Try cloth pads and or menstrual cups as well. You can DIY pads from old fabrics you already have (check out youtube vids) and a single cup will last you 10+ yrs if cared for! Those tiny changes alone will save the planet (and your body) a TON of toxic chemicals, money and have nothing but positive benefits! Suuuuper easy to do to!

[@deckarddwizardd1909]

If ever I decided to have children, I want my household to be like this.

[@TheClaudiaa11]

You have to make it your lifestyle know, before the children come.👍🏾

[@nanan8992]

Same I would definitely do this now and if ever I'll have children

[@natashadiercks2631]

I would definitely recommend to have children because I have 7 siblings and we make my parents so happy and when we get together for Christmas there are over 30 people because of my parents children and our children (every child has at least 2 kids) I have 8

[@greener336]

@@natashadiercks2631 Wow starting your own colony? Sounds like a waste of resources

[@mathildelonborg]

@Greenery Don’t ever say that other people are a waste of resources or require too many simply by being here. I hope you can see why that is a deeply problematic statement and think twice next time you want to say something similar.

[@Sentientmatter8]

Look at that sweet zero waste shop they have -_- I want one

[@plantpants8950]

Local farmers markets help!

[@kimberlypence2615]

I have a bulk store but I have yet to find a way to get any liquids without packaging. and I literally have no way to recycle near me. Trust me I looked for 2 hours.

[@sciencewizard2861]

@@kimberlypence2615 try buying mason jars and glass bottles

[@kimberlypence2615]

@@sciencewizard2861 I've been trying to get as much in glass as I can I just have literally no way to recycle it so my house is slowly filling up with glass containers. Right now I'm using them to store bulk things but I'm not sure what I'm going to do when I've got bunches of them. I did find a plastic free friendly shop about an hour away so maybe I'll take them there.

[@heyboo9943]

I love farmers markets but I don't have a local bulk store which is difficult. I want to be completely waste free but finding the time to drive 40 minutes to a store and then back frequently can be hard.

[@theclumsyprepper]

I'm glad they mentioned the recycling. Just because something is recyclable doesn't mean it's actually going to be recycled. Recyclable waste is still waste but lots of "zero waste" people seem to forget or ignore this.

[@asobimo5532]

Yeah, things that sre recycable have to be devided and than wait for ppl to buy it and recycle it, otherwise it waits at warehouses or it ends up in a land fill

[@theclumsyprepper]

@@asobimo5532 Exactly. And since more and more countries ban imports of recyclable waste (can't blame them) we have to cut down on it as well. I try to reuse mine as much as possible, mostly for propagating plants. I've all sorts as plant pots - yoghurt pots, tin cans, old metal or plastic buckets, old paint buckets etc. Anything I can grow food and flowers in.

[@ilial9683]

yes

[@MsBhappy]

One study in Canada found that less than 11% of recycling is actually recycled! Pretty crazy but a lot comes down to politics and also individuals using the recycling system incorrectly!

[@theclumsyprepper]

@@MsBhappy I've watched a program recently that stated it's only 9%. It reminds me of a documentary I watched years ago (unfortunately I don't remember what it was called), I believe the number they have mentioned in it was 24%. It seems that even though we are encouraged to recycle more less and less is actually recycled. I find it hard to comprehend. Surely with all the advances in technology we can have systems in place to recover most, if not all, resources.

[@katyoutnabout5943]

They’re so real. This video isn’t trying to sell us the latest zero-waste product. They encourage is to use what we have, and THEN buy ethically only when we need something. Yes. So many influencers have made zero waste trendy, and to get started on zero waste, you need to buy this and that. But its so refreshig to see honest zero waste. Thank you!

[@groovyhannah8517]

Katy Out n About I’m actually glad they’ve made zero waste a trend! That means more people will help the Earth 🌲

[@ParisHedger]

Katy Out n About do you know what bag they were using for the spinach and things like that? I really want one for my groceries

[@satya5900]

One doesn't need to buy any special things to be zero waste. I hate that the zero waste store here sells glass bottles there are more than enough around already I rather reuse. I don't buy unnecessary. Trendiness and gadget are just not in the zero waste spirit.

[@katyoutnabout5943]

Satya Right! The zero-waste mindset is all about conscious consummerism.

[@elizabethflynn8455]

@@ParisHedger make one yourself from an old tee shirt or if you can't,maybe you know someone who can and you can do something for them. I find old net curtains work well. Charity shops often have them. Good luck with your zero waste life.🙂

[@NW34832]

The man is a true masculine and responsible gentleman.

[@sabinemaytum62]

And what does he do for a living . House husband does not pay much.

[@BMerinoC3]

Sabine Maytum does it matter? They are a happy family, ask the kardashians if they are that happy with all the money they have.

[@den2335]

Sabine Maytum Way to be a misogynist. He can be a homemaker if he wants. Maybe she works in this family.

[@jenlinds1]

Sabine Maytum View the video to find out their family dynamic. FYI The ‘househusband’/‘housewife’ is the concept of spending less money. They cook, clean, care for the animals & children if they’ve got them, often do the finances, yard work, house work, planning, errands, shopping, etc. Often the purpose is to prevent so much money going out, or if children, for the children to be raised by them instead of raised by someone other than family. This insures there’s more time, money, & energy for the family to enjoy one another & be a family.

[@thatgrumpychick4928]

Of course we're producing more plastic than the 50s. Everything was glass and reused back then. They had the right idea back then. Companies get more money from plastics than using glass

[@JoyJoy-ye2jx]

I think it was saying that in the next 10 years , we will produce more waste than from 1950-2019 altogether (so like the last 70 years) but ya somewhere we went wrong. Everything’s about money. Not about what’s sustainable

[@wanderlustandsparkle4395]

Actually during WWII is when manufacturing giants started mass producing synthetic due to everyone having to cut down on important resources such as metals, glass, silk, etc... synethtics were produce to help plug the holes in supplies such as galss and metals an example is Nylon being used more often then say silk to make military uniforms and rope.

[@NA-yq4pe]

Yeah but glass has quite a few downsides compared to plastic: it breaks very easily, it is so much heavier than plastic, it's not flexible, not really safe in children's hands, etc. Unless we find a versatile alternative that is just as good as plastic (eg biodegradable ones) it's unlikely that people will stop using plastic Alltogether, as overall plastic is a very convenient material

[@thatgrumpychick4928]

@@NA-yq4pe yeah. Thats the problem with glass. We just have to figure out how to make it more impervious to drops and heat. But imagine how much plastic waste there would be if soft drink and milk bottles were washed and recycled

[@sounsure9108]

Obedient Wife Material he means from the 50’s thur to now

[@rhondaw.8097]

I LOVE that the Children are living and learning this lifestyle! Kudos to you both as parents!

[@berondi]

Thank you! :) Oberon

[@Person12216]

Yes!

[@dragoslavdelavega558]

This is the kind of immigrant we want.. Productive & Creative

[@HAIRHOLIC_1]

I’m sure they learn things that they would have never learned in school, the way the children where involved in making the jams and the toothpaste I mean these children when they grow up will know how to survive on their own

[@mvl6827]

Pity these parents did not realise that producing three kids is not helping the planet. #overpopulation is the cancer of the world.

[@AmaniStudio]

"Its easy to forget how much power we have as individuals to enact positive change."

[@wendygilboa81]

Yes every individual action helps. I've also changed my search engine to Ekoru.org because they use their profits to our clean oceans which are choked with our waste. That way at least the time I spend online has a positive impact on waste removal.

[@morningboy_]

Wendy Gilboa you could also use Ecosia! It plants trees every 20 searches!

[@wendygilboa81]

@@morningboy_ Yes I could but I am using Ekoru because I think Oceans are important too.

[@morningboy_]

Wendy Gilboa yes, I know

[@raquelreich4690]

@@wendygilboa81 ..

[@user-ok5lt3km2m]

I think this family has many "things" money cant buy. Wise and smart. And this video is calm and inspiring.

[@sophia-vv7wt]

I'm trying to go vegitarian and I dream to be zero waste or low waste when I grow up. I'm starting to do some simple things.

[@user-sg1uk3np3x]

26years old From Algeria , trying to be a minimalist zero waster lady 😊😊 already started the journey .🌿

[@kayleighgriva4817]

Yesssss girl, power to you!

[@depressedaf3603]

I wish you all the best! ❤️

[@fereil23]

Best wishes! 💕💕💕

[@anarchyingye]

This is awesome!

[@mouniamoon150]

Keep going Bent Bladi.from Buenos Aires.

[@HeyHeyAlabama]

There's no reason to package most foods in plastic. Glass works, doesn't make your food taste funny, and can be used again.

[@bfbvouabeorbvoaervure963]

Deborah O'Neal We should have money given back every time you return a glass bottle or container.

[@isame0085]

Cadence James in sweden we get 1 kr (~0,1$) when returning (recycling) plastic and glass bottles and aluminium cans

[@judyhowell7075]

Old days we did

[@MsBhappy]

@@isame0085 That's awesome. In Canada less than 11% of our recycling actually gets recycled apparently

[@sonyajordan8597]

Cadence James in Australia we have stations that give us 10 cents for every recyclable bottle/can we give.

[@homeyhomey5856]

this is beautiful. this makes me realize how much i've been hurting earth.

[@hiddensnowflake5517]

if the whole world could be like this that’d be great

[@hanreality.7266]

If the whole world went vegetarian and didn’t buy leather sofas, that would be great too.

[@Cobecentral]

Why this video doesn’t have a million views and likes, I can’t figure it out. Great, great video

[@laurencarter6754]

@@friedarichter9729 The majority of the meat we purchase feeds our pets. It's wallaby meat from animals culled in the production of vegetable crops. We're keenly aware of the systems we take part in and work to minimise harm to the environment, including animals, plants and the soil. In the future our consumption of this meat will reduce as we will not be adopting more cats and dogs, but we do hope to become wildlife carers, providing rehabilitation for injured wildlife.

[@katenka_ana3997]

people care more about fortnite videos and make up tutorials...

[@evelina2363]

Because people are different and not everyone is drawn to the same thing

[@sarahstrong7174]

@@friedarichter9729 Unfortunately even if we all became vegan we would have to kill animals to save our crops from them so killing animals is a given in life.

[@starbunny7301]

@@friedarichter9729 You don't have to do absolutely everything to make a huge ethical difference to the world. They are doing amazingly with the lifestyle changes they have made and I think we can learn a lot from them. The meat they do buy is done in an ethical way too so.... 🤷‍♀️

[@theloveliestsoul7767]

I admire this kind of life. Slowly, I'm trying to lessen my use of plastics. Since it can destroy our home.

[@Fitandover40]

There is nothing men can do to destroy the earth, earth has been here a looong time before humans and will be here a long time after humans. Yet in the mean time we make our own lifes a world of chaos

[@SurfergirlKH]

It can? It has already for the past decades! I can recommend videos of Lauren Singer and Bea Johnson, also thefairlylocalvegan here on youtube. Imalso like Ellen Fisher, very inspirational

[@Fitandover40]

@@SurfergirlKH the "idea" of destruction is NOT the same as "actual" destruction. A man can be "convinced" of an idea, yet this "belief" does not make the idea truth in its "real" nature. So no, men cannot do anything to destroy the planet, what he can do is to have megalomaniac thoughts of grandeur that make him "believe" he has the power to do so even in the face of the fact that he cannot even control or know the time of his own death. Belief understood as, "an acceptance that something exists or is true, especially one without proof". Now proof of a belief can also be fabricated to seem as "real" proof, yet the same reasoning, as stated before, applies.

[@vanessachristidis9252]

I think were all becoming conscious that there is something missing from our lives. And to me its the human connection to the earth, to the food we eat and where it comes from, from the amount of 'stuff' we accumulate that doesn't fill the void in our lives which is that we have lost a connection to our true selves and our connection to the earth and nature. What you guys are doing is what we all SHOULD be doing even if its something SMALL. If SMALL is millions of people making that choice then thats a HUGE positive impact. Thank you for your video! 🙏

[@viettankhuu4668]

I think this family is a nice example, we try to recover my planet.

[@peterg3729]

Would love if thete was a place to buy without packaging near me

[@heatherburch7697]

Anyone can do this! Start small. Replace one item with a zero waste product at a time. I live in a rural area with limited shopping opportunities but over the course of two years, my family has reduced our waste to one paper shopping bag, or less monthly. It’s a mind set or a life style. Go for it! Any changes you make are a step in the right direction.

[@k.w.1459]

I def agree with heather. You should also talk to the owners or said stores about this and also write and petition government in your direct area to such.

[@happenfilms]

@@k.w.1459 That's great advice K.W. In our interview with Lauren and Oberon (a part that didn't make it into the film) they said that they're continually having discussions with their local retailers about packaging alternatives and they've made real impact in their community doing so.

[@samusugiru]

Whole you might not be able to find the trendy zero waste shops you can get a lot of things without packaging by shopping at small businesses, like delis and green grocers. They often buy in bulk and repackage so you can ask them to give you products without packaging.

[@hollygarrison6871]

How do you purchase meat at a supermarket?

[@wiktoria1559]

how do i convince my parents to live like this....

[@berondi]

Show them documentaries and videos about waste - maybe show them this video! Spend time in nature and talk about how you want to protect such beautiful places. Find common ground and work from there. Maybe give them a copy of our book (link in video description)! :) Cheers, Oberon

[@wanderlustandsparkle4395]

You can do a family movie night where you all watch documentaries but thruth is you shouldn't force convince someone to change people will change when they want to or need to. Keep up what you are doing and just be like hey I did this or that today why don't I show you how to do this/that but don't make it sound like you are bragging that will push someone away from something even more.

[@Darvint413]

Get informed on solid facts about climate change and communicate them to your parents. The media is being really "optimistic" even when they act like they are properly informing people about the situation, but if your parents truly knew your life will be in danger they would act on it.

[@221420642]

Hmmm, difficult. I've been trying to get my mum to take on a plant based diet, with less Dairy too. I say 'hey mum, why not watch this video about abattoir standards - that might change your mind'. Her response is 'ooo no, I don't like those films - they make me sad' - just as she tucks into another pork sausage. So hypocritical, but at 72 - she ain't changing.

[@erinwagner9324]

I think it can be more effective to lead by example rather than trying really hard to get people on board. I’ve been struggling with encouraging my family to stop wasting so much because people really hate to be told they are doing things wrong or for it to be insinuated that they are “bad”. Instead, I’ve just been bringing my bags and baskets, buying in bulk, giving them used or consumable or hand made gifts, wrapping gifts in used cloth or bringing bread to them in a tea towel. All of these small things we do does make an impact though it may be slow to realize itself in others. It’s hard (almost impossible?!), but not panicking or despairing about waste is a huge step in bringing others on board. It must seem attainable to them.

[@MaryWood86]

I honestly can't thank this family enough. My husband and I have a deadline for when I will finish work and start homeschooling our children and homesteading our suburban block with a zero waste mindset. Xx

[@maryamamaryama3953]

"scraps for the choocks"idk i found that really cute😂3:24

[@nigelhughes2216]

Such a gently inspirational film. Thank you. I live in the uk Large supermarket chains respond to demand. If we let go of this idea of convenience and look at local and seasonal alternatives I believe they will change and respond. Vote with your feet.

[@sewhip]

Yes, Waitrose is trially the removal of plastic from all of the fruit and vegetables. If people respond well, this will be rolled out across all its stores. Here's hoping!

[@mangaartist1995]

But convenience exist because everyone has the need to work and earn money, hence might not have the time to do what this family is doing.

[@ellenaivanovych4916]

Local is always quite expensive sadly

[@nigelhughes2216]

Ellena Ivanovych I agree. Major retailers are “cheap” due to volume sales. We have decided to shop more intentionally with food. Our priorities have shifted to less materialistic/tv/ entertainment lifestyle, to a more food prep, creative, family oriented which is freeing up more time and money. And with this we support local. It’s our focus and choice. Not everyone’s

[@aqualms]

@@nigelhughes2216 local tends to be a lot more expensive. It's important to remember that people are worrying about how to pay for rent, their bills, and of course their food, so they tend to opt for the cheaper option. It's important to support local farmers, it's also important to put food in your belly when you need it.

[@audraelynnegrimmelhaussen8808]

I may be old school but I miss those times when kids were actually taught how to sew, how to make preserves, how to keep a home (NO GENDER AGENDA HERE). How to be self-sufficient. Nowadays, I see my nephews and nieces can't even do basic chores. Worried how'd they'd survive being alone.

[@issecret1]

I knew a guy who in college didn’t know how to boil water

[@audraelynnegrimmelhaussen8808]

@@issecret1 wow, how did he survive? I have a cousin who burnt pork stew (sinigang, a Filipino dish) and up to this day we wonder how she could possibly do it.

[@thelegochickens3310]

If you save and reuse what you have you save money too.

[@walk2miles]

MY GOAL!!!! Awesome family. I know it's not for everyone but this family is a great example of what can be done.

[@kazuuu87]

What a beautiful family, they deserve so many high fives.

[@talksolot]

Not your typical westerners. They actually care about something other than selfish consumption.

[@gracendagijimana7432]

I am 15 and i wanna go zéro waste now I am low waste because my family still makes some waste but we try our best. I would love to be part of their family this is what I strive for I love it so much . 💞💞

[@lauraliekay9431]

gracie roses Literally same. But our family is huge so it’s hard to pay for all the zero waste stuff.

[@anettepineda2671]

Go vegan 🌱

[@gracendagijimana7432]

Anette Pineda I’m already vegetarian and i’m trying my best to go vegan :)))

[@hvn03]

@@anettepineda2671 it's hard when you're young and living in a big family, like many teens are. Personally my mom doesn't have the time to make different meals, and everyone else looooooves their meat 😅😅

[@gracesimplified3860]

You can start now. Buy second hand clothing. Live minimally. Choose a plant based diet. Carry a reusable water bottle. Choose bar soap. Make your own deodorant. If you don’t have access to stores selling low waste products order online. Carry reusable utensils. They don’t have to be fancy. Bring a fork and spoon from home. Pack your lunches. Cook at home. The pricey zero waste label is just another trendy commercial opportunity for entrepreneurs. Don’t buy into the packaging but the idea that you can make choices that can make a difference. If you c an avoid making purchases you will not only be helping the planet but saving money. Get creative.

[@Bramble1976]

Great vid! The start of this year saw huge changes in my home. I stopped coloring my hair and embraced my natural grey locks. Make all my own cleaning products. Sold my Nespresso coffee maker and switched to a Moka Pot instead (no capsules) Take containers to the our local butchery for our meat, absolutely zero waste Make all our own bread Take containers to a local bulk food shop and refill grocery staples Decluttered our home massively - sold what a could and donated the rest. Support a local dairy who produce milk in glass bottles and have fantastic farming practices Stopped buying what we don't need Upped the veggie garden, preserving, freezing etc (at the time of posting this, I haven't brought veggies - bar avocados, for over a month ......there's more but those are the main ones. It's totally doable, you just have to put in a bit of effort!

[@berondi]

nice one!

[@kkrot81]

I LOVE THIS FAMILY! What they are teaching/showing their children is beautiful. It’s soooo much more then zero waste...it love. Love for their selves and love for their home and love for each other and their planet. 🌍 ❤️

[@Jenny_Little_Wren]

As a once homeducated woman and someone desperately wanting to reduce my waste, this was a very inspirational video :).

[@hena_flower]

These parents are amazing. I would have love to have the childhood the young girls have.

[@BIEBERownMe]

Same... seems so peaceful too

[@user-ef5id9km3p]

I agree, much to the misperception of many, homeschooling is a full time job, on top of the normal household chores of cooking, cleaning, laundry, ironing, running errands, doing family admin, for some gardening, there is so much to do. And many do it with part time jobs, or a small family business to run. It's a lot. But the rewards that come from it make it worth while.

[@rosevampire3755]

I’m really pleased that they talked about how recycling isn’t as ethical as it’s advertised to seem. It’s super energy intensive and as he said it rarely actually gets recycled.

[@gwjay2022]

We live in the UK, it's hard when every single thing is wrapped in plastic. We are slowly try to buy the stuff with the least plastic. We now get a monthly order from a company called 'farmers choice' They minimise the plastic. Meat and veg comes in reusable cardboard boxes, and the chilled box comes lined with an organic sheep's wool liner. It really makes a huge difference. Shop local, support local farmers and small shops

[@eternallight7]

Jay Moxon I agree the UK seems to have little concept of cutting packaging. I use local as many stores wrap in paper. I also reuse my plastic bottles by going to the health store and refilling, but it can be more expensive and some people on limited budgets just go cheap. My neighbour's drink canned drinks and their recycling box is full to the brim every week. It also needs education on diet if you are going to have less packaging. I think roadside recycling encourages waste. Plonking your rubbish in a recycling box seems to negate responsibility in some eyes. If you recycle you have done your bit.

[@gwjay2022]

@@eternallight7 my neighbours are the same, I'm a chef by trade and I realise how slight changes in daily practice go a long way to improving the amount we waste. I top and tail all my veg, skin stays on and the ends go into my compost at home or to the chickens, win, win :) 👍 And at the end of the day that bag of trash that goes into the main bin at work is so, so much lighter than it used to be

[@prettybullet4646]

Same problem where I live in the U.S. So much is wrapped in plastic and foam that it is near impossible to go zero waste. At least not until there is a nationwide change in attitude especially with the big companies who package food and sadly I don't see that happening anytime soon. A person's best bet is farmer's markets and local farms.

[@rsbhomevideos]

I also live in the UK and can walk to a butchers and bakers where they're happy to not present plastic waste. There's a plastic-free refills shop in the town 4 miles away. We could order 'who gives a crap' toilet roll and I think then we'd be a long way towards being no waste. Food does produce the vast majority of plastic waste in our house, I agree with Oberon.

[@doodzy2]

Thanks for this info, useful

[@michelepaccione8806]

This is great. Although there’s no place anywhere near me that offers bulk purchasing without packaging, I’m trying to minimize buying plastic packaging as much as possible. However, the largest positive impact any individual can have is giving up meat and dairy. Animal agriculture is hugely wasteful and has a tremendous negative impact on the planet. I wish the video had touched on that.

[@berondi]

Hi there, where we live, we have access to farms that are using organic, regenerative agricultural practices to grow food with minimal impact to the environment. It's quite different to the broad scale agriculture industry, which we agree is harmful. We don't regularly consume meat from large mammals, and we consume much less meat and dairy than the average Australian household. Our main source of meat is wallaby mince, which comes from animals culled to protect vegetable crops, and is essentially a waste byproduct of the vegetable growing industry. We're glad to make use of it, and mostly feed it to our pets, who thrive on it. Also, we did talk about this in our two-hour interview with the film makers, but that part of the conversation didn't make it in this 8 minute short! Cheers, Oberon

[@chelaananthi]

So happy to see the family's responsibility and efforts to reduce waste and usage of plastic... Love from India

[@kirtana1514]

The earth needs people like them❤️🙏

[@QueenQueenly]

Amazing. I want that life. I want to homeschool and live without plastic.

[@carolineworkman7018]

Queenly Queenly SAME!!

[@kuoinc8604]

His wife looks at him with such an admiration in her eyes! Beautiful family

[@zeromolotov3673]

i really want to start living waste free or at least trying, i have parents who are surprising very against it but i still try buying things without plastic packaging. i also really love how they prove that being waste free doesn’t mean being vegetarian or vegan as they still buy meat.

[@kayleighgriva4817]

It IS even worse environmentally to eat animal products than to be non-zero-waste, so I'd definitely strongly encourage a plant-based diet, but that doesn't discredit their work or anything. Changing your lifestyle in any manner to help the environment is admirable work :)

[@zinebhamraoui2008]

we need more people with this mentality in our societies

[@hannahgarcia4784]

One of the things I really like about this family's story is how the family encourages people not throw away the items they already have, they encourage others to use their items until the items are no longer good to use. I think people often think zero-waste means you have to get rid of everything you own and start all over with new items, but that's not really true. Being zero-waste means you try not make as much as waste as you can with items that can used over and over again. I think this video serves as a great example of how zero-waste can be practiced and that as long do it in the mindset of wanting to create less trash and take care of the environment then it can be accomplished.

[@shannonbonas1084]

Why cant there be more shops like that! Its so simple so good for the enviornment not ridiculous lables and unnecessary plastic! I dont get it

[@wanderlustandsparkle4395]

You could start one, there are too many people who say why can't there be more like that but the only way there can be if the people saying that take the step to start a business like that.

[@victoriawhitcher7596]

My rent has recycling. We thought we were doing a great job, till I bought my house. Now in my home the recycling bin sits inside. I went from 2 full trash cans full. Now one bag a week. I am also using my cardboard in my garden and worm farm. Food scraps to the chicken. I gather my sisters water bottles once a week. She's stuck in her ways, but it's an average of 50 bottles a week. So it's absolutely important we become aware of what we do.

[@Wolfmaedchen]

A lovely side effect of buying bulk using your own containers is that there are no bright labels, everything looks so neat and inviting, almost oldfashioned in their pantry and fridge :)

[@akcorbel]

I bet they eat like kings and queens! Buying local and making the best homemade food is the way to go!

[@jennh3106]

This was so wholesome and beautiful. I’m also on my zero-waste journey and it can get hard when none of your friends and family understand. I always try to explain without sounding overbearing because a little change is better than no change.

[@goodweatheronly]

Jenn H so true , I wanted to make my kitchen plastic free to start with but my husband keeps bringing plastic stuff . He calls me cheap when I ask to use reusable grocery bags 😔. Do not know how to make him understand we are doing this for ourselves and our children 😢

[@ashwinighag3136]

It’s beautiful to see the entire family is taking interest and initiative for zero waste. Wish if entire world becomes like you guys. I used to think what I’m doing is more than enough for zero waste but no, after seen this video I’ll put more conscious efforts for zero waste.🙏🏻

[@arunshankars8398]

Videos like this one must be part of the school curriculum. Our kids need to watch them. If I were the minister in charge of education, I would have compiled a list of 500 such videos and ensured every kid who graduated from school had seen each one of them over the schooling years. The world will be a much better place if people were educated.

[@caughtstitching9901]

Hats off. We need more people like this family.

[@homeschoolingsisters538]

I love this family. This short film gives a lot of practical ideas of simple living and how to eliminate waste by using what you have.

[@kassandralee4874]

It’s a lot harder and waaaay more expensive in America and most cities and states don’t even have bulk stores without plastic like other places.

[@kayleighgriva4817]

Ikr, it's so frustrating. Have you got farmers markets nearby?

[@kassandralee4874]

Kayleigh Griva I’m in Massachusetts. It’s about 20° outside. Definitely no farmers markets right now. When I lived in Florida it was easier.

[@kayleighgriva4817]

@@kassandralee4874 man that sucks. I recommend checking out a KZbinr called Shelbizleeee. She does videos where she tries to shop zero waste at regular food stores and she has some good tips!

[@kassandralee4874]

Kayleigh Griva I will definitely check her out! Thank you!!

[@thesolfoundationorg]

It is indeed but small steps can help and at the same time, do something else such as plant trees!

[@melbonthuys7573]

So inspiring! I’ve become so aware of my plastic usage and have taken drastic steps to shop plastic free. If everyone just did a little bit, we could make such a difference.

[@CreativeDIYwithMomDas]

Very inspiring. Our family is not totally zero waste but yes, we do consciously try to reduce the waste produced.🌿

[@yenauri7750]

IDK WHY BUT I LIKE THE MARKET SO MUCH IT IS SATISFIED ME WITH NO REASON

[@catherinedavid3662]

What a wonderful family you are. I just came across your video and was I was struck by the happiness your family exudes, just wonderful. It’s so nice to see parents teaching their children how to live without all the stuff that’s around them. Your children will never want for anything even after you’ve gone because of the love and teaching that you give them. God bless you all.

[@GemmaJoikhun]

*I love gardening and just the happiness of growing my own food*

[@highspiritsfarm781]

Perfect example of grassroots change!! How did we survive before plastic? Oh wait..... Well done folks for the inspiration.❤️

[@mjmusic4121]

The oldest daughters clothes is SO cute

[@katej392]

This is the sort of climate change videos I want to see more of. Motivation and genuine care goes a much longer way than force-full anxiety and panic. Keep up the positive vibes :)

[@gregtweedie8396]

You have made a huge statement with this and you lifestyle. Please continue spreading the word. There can be no argument that your point is more and more valid each year. Good job.

[@cynthusinfinite]

Beautiful family! Evolved, smart, caring, loving! Can I come live with you?! 😄 Thank you thank you thank you for sharing!! Love to you all!

[@ruthiecohen4817]

We need a lot more people like this family in our world!

[@cindyc1674]

This topic is sooooo enormously important right now more than ever to educate people on what happens just simply by living a "normal life". People just don't know.

[@leahkubitz7655]

this inspired me so much. the spark of sustainable living in my heart has grown into a fire now. it’s just very difficult being a teenager and trying to convince your family to live this way.

[@benjaminteitelbaum1073]

Companies, governments, and local shops need to take a LOT more responsibility for this. I recognize I'm in a position of some privilege to live this way - and very much mostly do - when there is access - it is often genuinely much cheaper. Bulk beans, bulk rice, farmers market, no labels.

[@ritalynb7070]

In our area, there are no bulk foods or bulk shopping and very little is recyclable. We do our best to eat whole foods with as little packaging as possible. When I do buy in containers, I try to buy glass and reuse the container once it is empty. We compost and grow as much food as we can, but we have a very, very short growing season (4 months or less). For clothing & home items, we thrift or buy second hand for almost everything. The lack of recycling is frustrating. And the lack of food options/choices are frustrating as well.

[@ju6326]

What a beautiful, healthy, and responsible family! Big respect. I started avoiding plastics last year. My husband would always accompany me to buy groceries, when it comes to vegetables and fruits we buy from wet market to avoid plastics however I can't avoid some plastic like some herbs at supermarket since I can't grow them and they're not available at local wet market. We're still on journey. I feel happier to see fewer plastics in our home. 😊

[@DisabledandPrepping]

New friend here and I really think zero waste is awesome but super hard in my town.

[@Chantwizzle]

just do what you can...that's what's important. Sometimes I think there's pressure to go to the same extreme as this family. And that's definitely not possible for everyone. But just avoiding single use plastic and taking your own produce bags to the store is better than nothing :)

[@chocolatechick729]

Shout to all the people who are doing their part . Dont feel like because you're one person isn't enough. You are enough and when people see you they will follow. It all starts with you. 🤲🌍

[@jenwhyte6440]

What a lovely family. Setting a great example for their kids and the community they live in. It's people like this, that help me to want to be a better person. So inspiring. Thank you

[@TheGoober1997]

These people are doing everything right.

[@velvetindigonight]

Beautiful , thoughtfull and thought through. Thank you for making and sharing. Enjoy!

[@karinyafields9651]

Fantastic video! These people should write a book about their experiences and incorporate a how to guide to assist others that are interested in moving forward to a more sustainable lifestyle and future. Keep up the awesome work.

[@berondi]

Karinya Fields We did write a book about it called “A Family Guide to Waste-Free Living”! The link is in the description to this video. 🌿 Cheers, Oberon

[@captainkacke1651]

I love my mom more than anything else, but man, I wish she was more like the momma in this vid. I'd loved having grown up with all this knowledge. I want my family to become like that 420

[@Zaira693]

Very eye opening!!!. I am so glad I watched this. This is so important yet something we never think about or take responisbility for. All everyone cares for is making money, regardless of how it harms the earth, and we all just want to be comfortable and not care about how much garbage we produce or where it goes.

[@thelegochickens3310]

If you stop using one plastic thing in your life such as to go cups, straws, plastic water bottle, etc. if billions of people got rid of one of those we could save the planet.

[@windshieldlaugh7411]

So true. I mean the less plastic we use the better, but I don’t even think you have to cut out all the plastic. If it‘s recyclable. But if anyone finds an perfect alternative to plastic be my guest

[@bobbi.l9383]

Thing is plastic can only be recycled like 3 or 4 times then it ends up and landfills. Also recycling is not completely circular either, someone buys the waste based of weight and material and so metals tend to be more easily recycled.

[@SlinkyDrinky]

If that's what you truly think.. then the world is truly fk'ed

[@Xighor]

Not if countries like India, China, Africa, etc keep throwing trash into the ocean The west is only to blame for about 4% of Ocean Pollution, or is it less? Think I remember it was 3% or something I guess it's nice they're trying but they're doing nothing for the environment

[@barbosacarollina]

They are a big inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing!!

[@asmitadutta2968]

This is something we all should follow not just to make environment better but to make ourselves better as a human being.

[@syerin77]

Once you start recycling, you can see how much waste one household can have..multiply that by a million! Such an inspirational content and beautiful family too..☺

[@prachikanaujia4478]

By watching this video I just felt that if we adopt such a lifestyle we will return to the days when we had strong communities and all our needs were met within the communities without going beyond, Indians had such a lifestyle before liberalisation in the 90s and after that we are simply aping the west it's good to see such videos which promote people to rethink their ways of living

[@ritatocta7583]

I think before the 2000s every country more or less had this lifestyle, there were plastic already but so little, I never saw a wrapped vegetable as a kid and now is hard to find one without plastic, my favorite chocolate bar was wrapped in paper, same with butter, bread, even meat or fish. Then the European Union created new hygienic rules among capitalism blooming as never before. We also tried to mimic the USA when they are not doing it right. People think is so cool to walk with your Starbucks iced coffee in a disposable cup when we always had great coffee in porcelain mugs. I hope this disposable trend fades fast.

[@deniseduggins8933]

Wow! Would love to spend a week learning from them...

[@kaymarshall5406]

Im crying and feeling very very good to see something like this . This world need all of us to do the same ,not just one family but all the mankind.. im trying too. I promise i will try my best to save our world..

[@saludicious]

During the pandemic it has been hard to do reusable packaging. I felt inspired by your family to redouble our efforts now that we are nearing the end of this exceptional period.

[@andyroid7339]

beautiful ,admirable intelligent people!

[@ceasar2340]

More people should see your family, you are very inspiring.

[@Icewing10]

Now that I am on the zero waste journey, I nortce the plastic first before the product. I have a long way to go, but I don't want to get overwhelmed. Small steps are better than none.

[@hollybritton7255]

I've just started on my zero waste journey and it has been really difficult in a rural setting with no businesses who support this. Haven't had cheese for awhile since I cannot find any not in plastic, haha, but I won't give up, I'll just keep adapting.😀

[@dukannstmichma]

They seem so content with their life. It's beautiful to see

[@KittieGreen]

What a beautiful family, I love how they speak about it, so calmly. I'm inspired

[@honeybadger8942]

Thank you for showing us how to minimise wastes.

[@keylee85]

This makes me happy and I feel like I'm not the only one doing this.