why I low-key hate the "zero waste" movement...

[@erinmattoon5302]

YES to normalizing changing your opinion as you learn new information! Changing your opinion doesn’t make you a hypocrite, it makes you a person capable of growth

[@misseselise3864]

my biggest fckn pet peeve is when people are shamed for changing their opinion, especially when it changes because of new information

[@amberdwyer1242]

I think the biggest reason why people focus on package free or recyclable materials is because they want to feel good and feel like they are making a difference and don't want to put any more thought to it.

[@Shelbizleee]

For sure! Because it’s tangible & visual

[@lexi219]

Or because it's something that someone can do on an individual level that reduces waste when a lot of them otherwise likely might have just done the bare minimum. Or it's because they literally don't have this information. Just because it exists doesn't mean that everyone knows it immediately. I get the frustration that people have with the zero-waste movement, but honestly the solid majority of people that exist do not have the passion for sustainability that Shelby does. Most of them are looking for someone to tell them what they can do that is within their means because they don't have the capacity or focus to do the type of research that people like Shelby do, and that's okay. Different people have different priorities and passions in life, and talking down about them "wanting to feel good" and "feeling like they are making a difference" is infinitely less helpful rather than continuing to raise awareness of alternative ways of having a bigger impact and helping others actually make those choices.

[@360shadowmoon]

Honestly I have mixed feelings about ZW because I think it does start as a “gateway” to environmentalism for a lot of people, so to speak. A lot of people are capable of growth like Shelbi. They start off obsessing over plastic bags but eventually learn more about sustainability along the way. I also think zero waste attracted a lot of people to environmentalism who wouldn’t have gotten into the movement otherwise, which helps make it more mainstream. Idk - the key is that we keep and open mind and always look out for the latest info and data.

[@magnarcreed3801]

@NIKI Tf does being white got to do with it?

[@magnarcreed3801]

Or it’s literally what’s in their direct capabilities and it DOES make a difference, even if it’s small.

[@mnmgirl24]

I just wanted to say as someone who also “talks too much,” your videos have truly reshaped my thinking on environmentalism. So keep talking about the nuance and fuck the haters 😁

[@nataliawineland34]

Agreed!!! I could use her her talking more lol she explains and breaks things down so well

[@iluve2laugh]

I couldn’t agree more! People are always telling women to “be quiet,” especially female experts. Keep talking, your content is needed.

[@BubblyViolin11]

We NEED nuance. The more we start incorporating nuance into our convos (esp regarding complex issues), the more successful we’ll become towards finding and implementing actual solutions.

[@tifacorn3522]

I feel this so much. I'm a chronically ill queen and there's so much waste that comes along with that, but they're necessary for me to have any quality of life. But it fills me with guilt

[@snippets981]

Wish I didn't relate.🙏

[@Skaði]

This a thousand times. I had to have a pump and it comes with so much waste, lines, bacteria filters etc. Then I had to have surgery and so much more waste comes with that. I felt guilty for having so much waste even tho I couldn't choose anything different. I try to be sustainable in places where I can make a choice but yeah being chronically ill doesn't give you much of a choice most of the time :(

[@ayajade6683]

@@indiecrowarts I wouldn't use it considering it's person first language which is patronizing and has coined gems like "differently abled" "Person with mental illness" and the cringest one "Handicapable", it's meant to give a false sense of empowerment but is just treating people like children who don't know their own feelings. It's used to belittle those who are different not empower them

[@jenniferburns2530]

Me too. I have had to let go of beating myself up for medical waste and related issues. We do the best we can, and if keeping myself alive means I can advocate for things like better climate policy I call it a win.

[@mhmmhm5995]

Please, all of you, don’t think about those things as waste. It’s not waste since they help you live

[@christinalhitz]

I literally cheered out loud when you said with new data we need to normalize changing our opinions and stances!

[@commonmom4288]

🙌🏼yes!! There is absolutely nothing wrong with learning new things and changing.

[@sarahcarney1927]

"Do your best and advocate for the rest" is a fantastic slogan! Thank you so much for your videos and insights

[@hermionegoesgreen]

True “zero waste” is not attainable in the world we live in today, and I try not to hold myself up to that standard. Thanks for the helpful info!

[@maize3239]

Bless you for this video! The other thing I really hate about the so-called zero waste movement is the prevalence of pseudoscience within it (e.g., antiperspirant causing cancer and "natural" skincare chock full of super irritating ingredients like citrus essential oils). Don't even get me started on essential oils in general!

[@yukiandkanamekuran]

Bro essential oils drive me insane. They're so irritable and toxic. So go off. 👀

[@Katjj]

Completely agreed 🙌🏽 !!!!

[@ragdollrose2687]

That was really informative. I try implementing more eco-friendly practices at my place of work, but many of my coworkers don't care or seem to actively go against the simple solutions I'm suggesting and it's driving me nuts. I find it so difficult to not get super anxious or angry when I see tons of papers directly in the trash can when the recycling bin is two steps away... I have to start telling myself I'm doing my best and it's up to them, for my mental health. 😤

[@Silverstreamhomecrafts]

Yes! This drives me insane, I used to work in hospitality and I thought the waste was bad but now I work in pharmacy and the waste is so so much worse and so careless too. Drives me mental

[@peachysandie]

Oh my god, I live with 14 others and so many of my roommates don't bother doing recycling right. Plastic food packaging? Nah, too much work to rinse it out, I'll just throw it in the trash instead. An empty Nutella jar? Nah, too much effort to clean it out, but I'll still throw it in the glass recycling, most likely contaminating everything else...it drives me crazy😭 cleaning out stuff takes max 2 minutes!

[@laurabaumgras-pearce5699]

yes!!! why don't we... save money by using this up before tossing it? nah, too much work.

[@Andrea-xe6kg]

Yes to grey nuance! I was so turned off years ago when the zero waste movement really started taking hold. The attitude of "if I can do it, anyone can! 👍👍😘" coming from people in major cities who'd never been to a food desert was damaging.

[@ifetayodavidson-cade5613]

Right, and many cities have neighborhoods with food deserts.

[@allienegunn108]

Not to mention the cost of it all. It's hard enough to put healthy food on the table for a family, now I have to go to a specialized store and buy specialized everything to make sure I'm zero waste? It's just not feasible for most people. I love that "do your best and advocate for the rest".

[@CasaDuroTinyHome]

1000000000% agree that we need more nuance and longer form conversation on the internet. I'm so tired of comments like "too long". I'm sorry your attention span is only 5 minutes long. One thing I advocate for is slow living, and for me that also includes READING. LISTENING. Doing 1 thing at a time and paying attention. Sometimes after I read or watch something, I do it again, or just sit and reflect on what I learned. I hate this fast-paced TL;DR culture of Millennials & Gen Z. It drives me fucking crazy. And I don't allow it to shape the way I make content. Mind you I don't do this for a living like you do, so I get the "lure them in" tactic. Not to mention, I fill one of those iconic zero waste mason jars every month with discarded needles, lancets, test strips, my CGM & the applicator, etc. It's literally impossible to be zero waste when you live with a chronic autoimmune disorder. I thought about making a Reel about that.

[@YourMajesty143]

The "lure em in" tactic actually has a namr called the "Foot in the Door Approach". And yes, I'm a millennial but I absolutely agree about slow living and eschewing the fast-paced consumption of products, services, and media. Everyone wants the TL:DR version and sadly without a fully fleshed out dissection of a complex subject, the concepts aren't digested and so then become more easily forgotten. You can't be informative without "info", it's literally in the word. People need to pace themselves and learn to simmer in each moment, but bc there's so much out there to consume and learn, they look for bite-sized content. Their focus on quantity, instead of quality is why we have fast fashion, fast furniture, and fast food. Our society's culture is no longer substantive, it's hollow and disposable. It's up to us to take deep dives and appreciate long-form content for the real value it brings.

[@CasaDuroTinyHome]

@@YourMajesty143 100000000%. This is why when people make the argument that individual actions can't stop climate change and that the problem all lies on the corporations & law makers, although they are right of course, to ignore the fact that our "fast everything" culture is not contributing to the problem is obfuscating our responsibility.

[@ducksnaps]

So true! I also fully agree with your point about it being impossible to be 100% zero waste when you are dealing with a chronic health condition. When I just got into zero waste (mostly because, like Shelby says, it's being conflated with being sustainable), I started feeling a lot of guilt about the amount of plastic I acquired daily because I have type 1 diabetes. Sure, there are some areas in which diabetes supplies manufacturers could be more mindful concerning their packaging, but honestly, someone should never be made to feel guilty about waste or less sustainable aspects of their life that they have no control over! That is just completely beside the point and furthermore puts the blame on the individual, when it is the system that we should be addressing.

[@CasaDuroTinyHome]

@@ducksnaps a fellow T1D! I agree too that some manufacturers could make improvements on their end - like could we possibly fit more test strips in those little black plastic bottles instead of being half empty? Could those bottles be made of a different kind of plastic that's actually recyclable? I did try using a refillable pen with insulin cartridges, but my cartridges were faulty (I went through 3x $100 pens with the pharmacist until we figured out the problem was actually with the vials themselves), so he switched my prescription to the Novorapid disposable pens. I would love to switch back, but that episode was so nerve wracking, and now that I live on my own & further away from the pharmacy, I just can't take the risk that the pen will go wonky on me at the worst possible time.

[@someundeadtalent2016]

@@CasaDuroTinyHome at the same time it was corporations who introduced Stories and Shorts and TikTok to us. Don’t only pack all responsibility on the Small Person, keep in mind the bigger picture. I totally see where you’re going btw

[@scubashar]

Love this! So much of the discussion around sustainability is around post-production of consumer goods, when the actual production of goods is arguably more harmful to the environment. We need to question where our goods are coming from and how they are made, and need more accountability to manufacturers and legislators. I almost unsubscribed to your channel about a year ago because I felt you were focusing on the wrong problem, but I am encouraged to see in your recent videos that you are educating your audience on the entire life cycle of a product now. I would love to see you dig into this concept, and show us how you evaluate a product's life cycle. Keep it up!

[@konniestaabmiller472]

Your videos are responsible for the shift in my thinking...I used to be a "plastic bad" snob. I preached to anyone and everyone. I no longer have that black and white perspective. Thank you for your awesome content. ❤

[@cloudyday4014]

When I first saw the new video's title, I thought it was going to be a re-hash of common complaints about zero waste - but I was totally blown away by the information in this video and it's probably going to change some of my thinking on the subject as an aspiring zero-waster. I love that you also condemn the attitude of "it's corporations fault, so we can't do anything" as that seriously bothers me and so many people say it too! But you actually offer specific, actionable advice for working in the current system, not just giving up. Thank you so much for your channel & these videos, you're awesome!

[@SaveMoneySavethePlanet]

The main thing that bugs me is how many people seem to view Zero Waste as gospel. They think that they can just flip a switch one day and be zero waste. Then they look down on anyone around then who isn’t doing the same. I view it more like an ultimate destination. Firstly, it has to include total emissions like you mention. Secondly, it’s all about trying to understand what switch you can flip right away and having the courage to go do that. Lastly, it’s also about understanding what switches are too hard to flip and putting pressure on the government and corporations to fix the system. Once they fix the system, it’s up to us to take advantage of the new changes.

[@persephone213]

I never get tired of listening to you talk, Shelby, and, yes, I agree that accessibility is a big issue and am hoping to keep seeing more sustainable businesses and system change to help more people to be able to access the resources to make more sustainable choices.

[@gorgeyhun2753]

I love the way she delivers her message, makes me remember why I'm passionate about sustainability

[@ChristinaRichards]

YES TO CRITICAL THINKING! Thank you for sharing your insights. 💚

[@megbyt]

I didn't think I could be any more impressed with your work than I already am, but this video brought it up 1000% ! I really appreciate you discussing how there's an issue around black & white thinking and being willing to grow/learn/change your mind as new data emerges. The only way for a sustainable movement to well...move is for us and businesses to grow & innovate!

[@elainemonroe9492]

As a person that has been told "you talk too much" I can relate. You go girl, keep talking!

[@soCece]

“Do your best, advocate for the rest”, reminds me of the serenity prayer:) great video by the way.

[@pixkypix]

That’s so stupid because the whole reason I’ve been following you for a million years is because how much you talk! I love that you take the time to explain everything in a way that it opens our minds to look beyond the this is good, that’s bad. So keep it up!

[@sallycarttar343]

Over the last couple of years, all of the recycling programs within 200 miles of me (which were inaccessible to begin with) have shut down. I am so glad that I’ve had your videos to help me navigate this, especially the way you talk about the full life cycle of products. Thank you for being so honest and looking at the issues in the way you do!

[@missmatti]

Great video grey area girlie! 👋🏻😅One thing that frustrates me with the zero waste movement is the over-focus on the waste that we as consumers create. A couple of years ago I was a member of a zero-waste Facebook group and several people stopped crafting/sewing because of the waste it created... 🤦🏼‍♀(And with waste I mean fabric scraps & cut out paper pieces etc.)

[@monica_30]

I hate elections, only because i was never taught how to get the information each candidate is for. Most of their propaganda is talking shit about their rival. How do i look for if the candidate is for environmental change? (This should be taught in schools, not just about history or civics, of the past, it should be about our current government!)

[@theduke5355]

I recommend looking at the voter pamphlet your local registrar sends out as a starting point. They list the pros and cons in simple bullet points. Yes, some of them are put forth by their own campaigns, but other local associations (Like teachers, nurses, etc.) also explain why they support/don't support a candidate or prop. Hope this helps!

[@YourMajesty143]

Vote Green Party, each of their candidate focuses on sustainability and ethical treatment as a given for their political platforms.

[@theduke5355]

@@AmandaS-nc9om YES!!!! ABSOLUTELY VOTE LOCAL!!! THIS IS SO VITAL!!!

[@misstweetypie1]

And even if you don’t have an environmental candidate, or get stuck with one of the more popular groups as a representative, feel free to write them letters encouraging them to support green bills and incentives. Just because being an environmentalist isn’t one of their selling points, doesn’t mean you can’t ask them to be!

[@loistobin4882]

I love your willingness to look at your own beliefs and question what you know to be true. You are a wonderful teacher, and have given me the facts I need to change my own practices. Keep talking!

[@janetstonerook4552]

You cannot imagine how grateful I was to peek inside your cabinet and see that it was overflowing with glass jars! I have tried to reuse everything possible and not throw any glass items away. But one can only reuse so many of these items for crafts, vases and storage etc. At some point it was verging on hoarding insanity! We have no curbside recycling here and it's 15 miles out of my way to a place that accepts glass for recycling. So I bought some larger bins and store up the excess for my annual trek there. 👍

[@monicawalls8184]

9:23 "Ladies and gentlemen, the amount of aluminum laminate you can fit on this BUS, is ✨ Astronomical ✨"

[@Dottyluvsllamas]

Thank you for this video. I started as a newbie ecominimalist a few years ago and it overwhelmed me how many changes I had to make so I stopped. I focused on being more of a minimalist to help the planet. After a bit of a hiatus from your channel I’m back binging your content. I appreciate that you talked about how we don’t have to agonize over every purchase I make and focus on systemic change because that’s where the problem is. I definitely want to help there regardless of how overwhelming it can be. Thanks for making this video.

[@katestephenson570]

I love the idea of 'do your best and advocate for the rest'! I feel like a lot of people use the argument of 'corporations are to blame' as an excuse for not learning and considering environmental impacts. As I've learnt more over the years I've had to change and alter my views on what are the solutions to climate change, etc. but it doesn't mean I give up my individual responsibility all together. Literally the power we have as consumers and stakeholders is the biggest driver for what corporations do going forward. Love this video and thank you for sharing!

[@360shadowmoon]

You said out loud exactly what I was thinking. Packaging and end of life waste is so miniscule compared to the waste generated from production, and only one category of waste. It’s so futile to only focus on that one aspect of environmentalism.

[@ChelseaLinaeve]

Hi Shelbi - I wanted to tell you how amazingly refreshing it is to see someone who is pushing for nuanced long-form discussion of environmental topics like the zero-waste movement! The bit about seeing people on either side of the issue pushing for ALL personal responsibility or ALL corporate responsibility especially hit home hard for me. While I completely understand that the average person is not able to bring down their 'carbon footprint' on their own (and that the carbon footprint is in and of itself a marketing tactic developed by oil companies!!) I still believe that it is important to do your best and always be searching for ways to incorporate environmentally friendly habits into your life. Not only does it help push market trends and put the pressure on for real change, but it can also encourage other people to switch to better alternatives and get invested! Excited to learn more through your videos 💖

[@abvfoak]

You don't "talk too much" especially when viewed with ~nuance. You are extremely informative and capable of making coherent connections and points in a steady succession. Every word you spoke I thought, she should either be a teacher or a government leader. Keep talking because you make a lot of sense and it's comforting and genuinely informative to listen to someone like you. And, as someone who cares about nuances and critical thinking and feels hopeless when surrounded by black/white thinkers, it's very refreshing to listen to you speak, actually it kinda made my day. Doesn't matter if you planned what to say or not, it shows that you've given this topic so much consideration that the words just poured out naturally and you meant everything you said (with openness to change). Thanks

[@MagicalMandi]

Compost The Rich.... new life slogan

[@mayome]

that is my absolute favourite video of yours. i've been politically active for just over 8 years now and it makes me so infuriated when "zero wasters" go "oh you're not really an environmental activist bc you get takeout sometimes and you do groceries in a discount shop, not in a fancy bulk store", when they do NOTHING ELSE besides consumerism and i've never seen them do any kind of activism, political action or even hecking writing to companies to change their sustainability practices. but when we advocate for systemic changes, press and try to elect our own representatives, do strikes and other civil disobedience actions, sit at night poring through resolutions and all of that fun stuff, it's "not enough, you have to buy in bulk and carry your glass jars". it's maddening and i'm sososo glad your focus has been shifting towards the systemic and global solutions, bc we NEED that so much in this ZW space. thank you soso much!!

[@Anna_ForFutureAdventures]

You DO NOT talk too much! You explain in the perfect amount of words! ‼️

[@YGhappyvirus]

YES YES YES!!! I am an environmental engineering college major and I am always appalled at how much destruction extraction of raw materials, production and transportation cause! Liah Yoo also explained the increased carbon footprint Krave Beauty would incur if they used glass for all their products and then proceed to ship them all around the world and that blew my mind! THANK YOU FOR THIS VIDEO!!!

[@alysonemery5147]

You’re killing it queen. I so admire how you are taking a stand for EVERYTHING you believe in, not just the comfortable things. Thank you for making environmentalism more nuanced and accessible!

[@zenleeparadise]

My company stopped recycling and I’m not sure why. I want to investigate and try to improve my workplace in this regard but focusing on improving working conditions for my colleagues and myself just feels so much more important at this time than anything else. I don’t know how to marry climate activism with labor activism but I’m sure the two movements would do a lot of good by buddying up to each other. I think these issues are connected because we can’t fix things without a holistic approach, but when people are struggling so much just to survive, telling them that they should also care about the environment feels overwhelming and tone-deaf. I’d love to hear you talk about the labor movement/talk about it with you, if you’re interested.

[@Thankful_.]

Mine did too 😾 i went to maintenance and asked why. The answer I was told is told “It all goes to the same place.”

[@zenleeparadise]

@@Thankful_. just remember to be kind to your fellow working class folks by keeping in mind the fact that it was likely a call made by the company you guys work for and not a call made by the individuals carrying out the change! ♥️ we’re all in this together.

[@kaitlynscanlon2402]

The accessibility thing is honestly so real on so many levels. Something gets left out of the discussion sometimes is allergies! Like the reason why I can’t shop in bulk from those big containers at Sprouts or Whole Foods or whatever is because of contact with peanuts and tree nuts. At the end of the day, allergies dictate what I buy, so I can’t engage in that part of sustainable shopping however much I would like to

[@prettynpetty8342]

Yes! I'm so glad to see more people talking about the refill systems and flexible packaging in sustainability. I have alreadt started the switch to the refill system with my body soap, facial oil, and hand soap. I am still on the hunt for shampoo, conditioners, and other hair and skincare products that have a refill system. For any marketing researchers, I am MORE likely to buy from and be loyal to a brand that has a refill system for their products.

[@Kaltag2278]

This is why I watch like all your videos. People get so stuck in one way of thinking. I appreciate people who can update their thinking with new information.

[@ceciliapantalones]

I was just having the cat food dilemma this morning! Flexible pouch vs aluminium can, seafood vs land(?) meat, which brands are owned by bigger problematic brands, etc etc! Thanks for bringing up these nuances.

[@leemolloy1112]

and on top of that you have to find something your cat will even eat! lol

[@katrinastacie]

Gray area girl rising up! Agree with this 100%!!! I love that you are talking about nuance, normalizing changing our mind with new info, accessibility, and paying attention to more than just solely the end-of-life and packaging. There's so much toxic all-or-nothing thinking in this space that makes me not even want to use the word 'sustainability' to describe my journey (hence changing it to intentional). Thank you for talking a lot :)

[@anthearosenberg1824]

I'm so glad you made this video! I've found myself stressing about whether I was being sustainable enough because I couldn't live the "zero-waste" lifestyle. I have definitely found myself more worried about the disposal of the products I buy rather than the actual production, which makes sense for having a bigger impact on the environment. I also appreciate you bringing up these data that even goes against some of the previous points you've made in other videos! Thank you again.

[@jessicasantos6690]

Thank you for teaching us! I started my journey by becoming Zero Waste, but because of you, I've realized Zero Waste is not the end. It's not the only thing to think of.

[@alyssablunt7014]

As a french girl, I am happy of the fact that here we have more options. For example, most of our fruits and veggies are sold package free. Singe use plastic bags were forbidden some years ago too

[@jettascorner21]

Ohhhh this is great, and it's begging me to make a reaction video. I strongly agree even though I'm also guilty of using the zero waste label in my content. For me living in Ghana, I live the gray area of zero waste where I try to be more local in my consumption choices even if that means it comes in unsustainable packaging! I see it as a way of supporting the local economy and focusing more on social sustainability. Is that a bad thing? I don't know! We're all at the mercy of the systems in which we find ourselves so it's important not to judge other people's consumption choices. We can educate so that those who have the financial means and access to make better choices are more informed to do so. Great video!

[@TheCameraLuvsMe]

I've asked myself that very question since I live in Jamaica and we don't have much sustainable options in terms of recycling, packaging, thrift stores, etc. Even the options we have are not as accessible to everyone, much less affordable. I've debated whether I should import organic, sustainable products from overseas but I've come to be more comfortable choosing local consumption as well even if it means plastic, because supporting the local economy, small businesses especially, and not adding to the waste that goes into shipping is the only way we'll be able to get to a state of having better quality products.

[@Trish620]

If you post the glass jars in your local homesteading groups, people might want them to reuse them. Not just for canning, which won't always work. I use them for homemade extracts, and smaller containers for the stuff I buy in bulk. Some stuff in bulk needs a larger clear container though. Ice cream buckets are what we've started using for that, but that's beside the point. For the glass, I've found out I have in-laws that do homesteading and would love all my glass jars if the build up again without being used.

[@bobdobalina5631]

I don't think you talk to much. I really enjoy your passion for environmentalism.

[@_aboutsteffanie]

As a truck driver I agree 100% !! We as individuals can only do so much, it’s the manufacturing side that has the most control. As well as these mega corps. Also, another issue is just making things accessible to the every day person. Composting. Recycling should be free but isn’t. More bulk shops or package free produce options to reduce. I try to live as sustainable as possible since I am an OTR owner operator and it’s hard sometimes BUT I do all I can.

[@rachelvandekerk7690]

When I moved into my current apartment 6 years ago, we had a recycling bin. This was the first apartment I had lived in that had one. Unfortunately a few years ago, they got rid of it, saying that people where dumping trash in it instead of recyclables, and it was costing them too much in fines.

[@juderezin9661]

I LOVE the fact you're going in depth with all the concepts you're discussing. We, as a society, need to take the time especially when we're talking about complex topics. Yes to long times, nuances and real talks!!

[@Dani-dv9pb]

I LOVE THIS! I’m giving everyone the benefit of the doubt I am FAR FAR FAR from perfect & going on this journey I thought it was about the recyclables and zero waste! I seen the jar of trash and thought that’s what I had to do to make an impact. We need more environmentalist and zero waste creators to talk about these topics to bring light to them! Sure there are people who think just recycling is going to fix all these environmental issues, but I feel some people are actually starting to care about the environment and they just need that guidance on what’s next. Yes the information is out there but let’s be honest…. The second your favorite influencer/ public figure starts talking about something is when it’s on your radar

[@AandM8]

I would love to see a video focused on healthcare facility food/PPE waste and environmentally safer alternatives. 2020 really woke me up to that. The amount of food that is thrown out in nursing homes and hospitals is sickening. And the amount of PPE (even when reusing several times) that is thrown out was also a hard pill to swallow.

[@KnittyKitty86]

Oh hell, the food waste in the fast food industry is atrocious as well. I half-jokingly mentioned to my GM and a couple coworkers that we've got a spot out by the dumpsters where we could stick a couple compost bins for the veggies. It'd be free compost for the workers who have gardens, less waste going into the landfills, and hell, if our district manager wanted to, she could market it to customers who wanted to enrich their gardens/flowerbeds.

[@cuppajavaplease]

Once again, you have hit the nail on the head! It's all about the process, not the (end) product. Over time, I have watched you evolve on this journey, and I am evolving along with you. Brilliant, thanks!

[@mollyv.9629]

Shelby! I absolutely freakin love how open minded you are and how you are willing to grow with new information ♡

[@asgardianabsol715]

Spill the sustainable tea sis 👁👁

[@kristaann4487]

I just wanted to say you remind me SO much of my Environmental Science teacher in college. I stumbled upon that class as an accident (needed a credit for humanities and that was the only one that fit my schedule). He made it so engaging amd exciting to learn information about the environment. The reason I say this is because I think you would be an excellent professor. You are so well spoken, knowledgeable, and personable. Please keep making videos forever, I adore your content 💗

[@ducksnaps]

It is truly admirable how you resist the way social media algorithms favor black & white thinking and snappy but unnuanced messages, Shelby. Instead, you highlight the gray, the complexity, the content that you can't convey in a snappy title and three minutes of content. Thank you so much for being a voice of reason in this community and pushing people to actually take the time to think things through!

[@goldfishsnake]

yes to nuance! one thing that opened my eyes is everyone's different (duh) and products that seem "highly packaged" may be a lifeline for others, like pre-cut fruits and veggies. if you have motor difficulties, being able to buy fresh produce in a pre-cut state can be really helpful! it always helps to think of the nuance and remember that every product is made with different users and use cases in mind, maybe it's not for you and that's OK, it doesn't mean it's a bad product. ultimately it's the sellers who should be responsible for taking back packaging and recycling it. it's on companies and governments to regulate-but we can advocate!!

[@mendicantcrow]

THIS! Love the nuance. It means so much to think logically about sustainability- nothing's black and white. We need to think about specific situations and locations. I think I commented once about how glass is sitting in a pile at my city. And how we don't have commercial composting, meaning even compostable plastics end up in landfills. Well my city has advocated for change and we are finally getting commercial composting next year!!! And yes, brands need to start thinking about the life cycles of both their products and packaging.

[@athos2617]

YES! Don’t stop talking about it. This is so important.

[@cksaporta]

Without the ability to change and adopt new ideas and process new information, like Shelby does, we, as a species cannot survive long term. Thank you Shelby for the information and research that you do. Please keep talking about what we can do, and what we can advocate for.

[@AllieyMamas]

You hit the nail on the head dead on 💯 I’ve tried to do my part where I can but often I’ve had things that I need to be protected by plastic for my work or to keep food fresh for example and I’ve always thought the plastic shouldn’t be the problem- it is useful- but the way it’s made and disposed of need help.

[@melissaf8332]

I have been watching you for a little over a year. You have changed my view of zero waste to eco minimalism and more sustainable options. Your channel has made it less all or nothing and more do what YOU can. You are appreciated!

[@mliz7283]

Glad you are bringing up nuance, and also plastic is still made from petrochemicals, so I think that is the biggest pushback from most environmentalists. I do not think shoving more trucks full of goods is necessarily more efficient (maybe from a transportation standpoint), but when we are talking about the overproduction of food and goods we really need to reduce the amount we produce since so much of it still gets thrown away or come up with a better plan for preventing waste. I know there is nuance to this as well especially from different perspectives within the supply chain.

[@kriscrawsx773]

Thank you for sharing your own change in opinion. And being transparent. Especially when new data is presented, you have to be flexible in how you think. Especially as a influencer to also spread that knowledge to your audience. Thank you!

[@nylirama]

Very true. Not enough is said about how the products we use begin their journey starting with the raw materials. This video is good at sparking the curiosity for people that might not otherwise think about this.

[@aoibheannlawless8612]

You make some excellent points and definitely has given me something to think about, especially when it comes to governance and how that needs to be a key focus going forward. Only suggestion would be to disclose the partnership at the start, when you mentioned it right at the end it seemed like you were trying to hide something

[@stdntofYT]

I appreciate how much you talk. I think you do a good job of explaining the reasoning behind what you think and for some of us, that is important. I like to know WHY, not just the end opinion. How else are we supposed to make informed decisions?

[@marthahawkinson-michau9611]

My personal opinion on sustainable household goods is that in general sustainable choices should not need frequent replacement. Both plastic and glass containers can be sustainable if you are using them repeatedly for years. I’ve dramatically cut back on my use of things like ziplock bags by switching to small plastic containers for freezing food. Those little plastic containers are reusable for several years and I have some that I’ve had for years now. I’ve entirely cut out plastic wrap from my kitchen and I haven’t bought any in years.

[@liliaricci9348]

I like the way you talk. Some influencers focus so hard on brevity they can't even give a hair tutorial properly.

[@99leadpencils]

THANK YOU Shelbi for bringing to light the issues with taking a black and white, consumer-focused approach to environmentalism. I totally agree with your new approach. Let's keep advocating for a better overall system. 😊🎉🌎

[@aliciadelasmaravilla]

Thank you for this. Your videos are so informative. I have struggled to be zero waste and felt so guilty for buying certain things. But this really opens my eyes and helps me to realise it’s not my fault.

[@christinat5934]

Even though the idea of buying in bulk or going to a co-op for certain items seems possible, there are no such businesses located near me. I also live just outside of a big city, but there isn't anything available to even start on that end. But I will keep an open mind and try in other areas.

[@rachelwolf5370]

Right on! Literally, pretty much all that we as individuals can do is very minute in comparison to what the huge corporations that are mainly causing climate change can do!

[@Lizzy43645]

Yes to the gray area and nuance! I’m here for it!!!

[@saratexas5181]

Mental health plays a big role in this topic, too. When I’m anxious or depressed, my non-sustainable products keep me going.

[@lorenlash9174]

Thank you for your passion! I've been accused of talking too much too...you don't talk too much. You are so smart and are literally helping educate all of us. AND YES, the market drives the innovation. When I was in college in the early 2000's studying interior design, I was first introduced to "cradle to cradle" production process via a presentation by the furniture manufacturer Steelcase. Since then, my idea of sustainability and all the energy expent in the process of goods and services has been one of my filters. It's also the annoying thing that holds me back from feeling 100% about all electric cars and solar panels due to the immense amount of energy used to create batteries/PV's and the use of finite precious metals. For now we barely drive and keep our thermostat higher in the summer and lower in the winter. Still on the fence. Ok, yeah, I talk too much, hahahah! Appreciate you, sister!

[@YourMajesty143]

Like Shelby said in her video about electric cars, even when we look at the amount of resources used to make electric cars or solar panels, they're much better or equal to relying on gas cars and coal. Ultimately, if their production is equal or better (usually they're better), then you'd choose the options that have a smaller OVERALL environmental footprint. Personally, I'd buy a used electric car and set up my electricity provider through a solar/wind program like Arcadia.

[@Bronxchick92]

We need both the individuals and the corporations to make a change. I look at it as a chain reaction. We have to make a change buy stop supporting certain companies that are not eco friendly or sustainable. They will take notice. Also the corporate needs their part to by making their business environmental. Sometimes we as consumers don’t have big of an impact like they do

[@nicolesaldarriaga2643]

I know I’m late to the party but I needed this video so badly it made me cry. 😂 My brain has been going in CIRCLES lately trying to figure how I can actually have an impact, and sometimes I get so overwhelmed I want to crawl into a hole and hide haha. This was really refreshing and re-inspiring.

[@thomasfesler916]

I'm glad I learned about flexible packaging I never would have thought of it that way and how it is more sustainable. I also have learned so much from you and doing my own research and you were kind of the push for me to learn more about sustainability because you made it easy to understand and learn so thank you for all that you do.

[@laurenalise3488]

I loveddd this video! Please don’t hold back from this type of content. I’ve been watching you for years now, and I love this gray area thinking discussions. It’s so important, and opened my eyes to some new topics. Thank you!!!

[@purpleghost106]

Yes to more grey talk! I am just going to say that the impact on our bodies still matters and need a seat in the conversation. Plastic is not great for us. But, it is systemic in that issue too, and we could be making better options that if we invested in development of new compostable flexible packaging. AND we could be chaging the infastructure to make that all accessible. Governments COULD fund development of new materials and recycling, but will they when they're getting kick backs from investing in corporations that want the status quo? Ultimately letting our lives be dictated by corporate whims is what makes change the hardest, and political apathy ends up be tantamount to ignoring the biggest lever for change we have.

[@miraearles3372]

I don't think you talk too much Shelbi. I'm watching your channel to learn, not to zone out to a random channel!

[@TracyHRodriguez]

Thank you for talking so much. It directly correlates to how much I am learning. Keep talking. We love you.

[@chiaratorri3530]

I really loved this video. Things are much more complicated and structured than we think, as you said: there is nuance everywhere. I don’t fear a change of opinion, and I think that influencers shouldn’t fear that too (even though hateful comments can be really discouraging and I understand that). I love the fact that you’re always open and sincere! Thank you so much 🥰

[@heatherpatel2550]

*I wanna preface this by saying I am not coming for you in any way! Is there a reference guide for which flexible packaging is better than another? I’m not clear on it, so I won’t pretend to be, but I’ve heard about “forever chemicals,” leaching, and the eternal pain that is microplastics. Just like there are different levels of recyclability, are there different levels of quality in our flexibles? Thanks you for all you do to educate! 🌱

[@kimroberts8113]

Yes! Nuance is important with everything contentious, especially politics.

[@melissa7233]

I've tried making this same point for years. Getting people to think beyond themselves is difficult.

[@mariadesantiago8696]

Thank for this! I love the attention being brought to these nuanced subjects. Individual action is great and all, but it should be the easy choice for everyone. We shouldn’t have to go out of our way to live more in commune with our natural world.

[@ItsAsparageese]

Loving nuance and being given crap for talking too much, but being unwilling to compromise on communication integrity ... IT MEEE lol girl you just made me feel so justified and related-to on such an important level. Helps me feel all the more confident in my priorities when it comes to reasoning about complex issues. Thank you for that righteous firmness and sincerity, seriously! Your true objective reasonability has always been one of my favorite things about your channel, and I love that you refuse to compromise on that 💚

[@Loriann4444]

It would be wonderful if companies took responsibility, I just dont see it happening in my lifetime. Hopefully in the future. So many companies crying poor right now.

[@queenmidna4998]

I know this is an old video, but there is a tea shop I know of that sells tea in flexable packaging that is also compostable. The tea is from direct farmers too which is nice. I buy a lot of tea as it is something that I enjoy, and have found it helps me relax after work. I'm not sure if the company is 100% sustainable, but I believe it is at least a good example of how the packaging can be changed to be more sustainable.

[@CherilPerez]

Great points! I wouldn’t say I “hate” zero waste, but I agree with not being behind it for the reasons you mentioned. I think that it’s a good way to get people involved and started, I feel like those of us who are doing more now started there and once you better understand your lifestyle changes.

[@KS-jf2jf]

OMG! THANK YOU! I love you! I am also gray area girl and nuance loving environmentalist.

[@WonderboxGamerGirl]

Nuance!! Yes!! I love how much you talk about it because like you said, it needs to be brought to people’s attention.

[@goodvibes4527]

Maybe schools would like the glass jars? Or if there’s a glass studio where you live maybe they’d like to reuse your glass jars for practice projects or something?? I don’t have anything like that around me so idk it’s worth a shot

[@dollhousie]

Yes! I love this video! I kind of fell out of the zero waste movement after realizing I didn't have access to zero packaging store or things like that. I thought the things I could do, like bring my own bags and compost my food was my limit for zero waste, but now I see that that's not the case. Thank you for deep diving into this and bringing up a new conversation. I can't wait to see more videos like this.