Zero Waste // When You Live With Your Parents

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[@carlamathurin2941]

I am a parent and can't believe that more middle aged people don't want to follow "zero waste" living. I'm not completely there yet, but soon my household will achieve it, particularly since I grow a lot of my own food on an allotment close by.

[@kmundwiller3936]

Carla Mathurin I am also a parent. Two of my older children have moved out on their own. One has a baby otw, the other is vegan. Vehemently vegan. Lol I have one disabled adult at home, and 7 children 15 down to 1yo. They are all very inspired by this. I found this lifestyle after googling low waste lifestyle cause we're building off grid, and our only option are taking trash over a mile down the way, or taking our recycling into town 5 miles away. I don't want to drag all that! Or pay for it, for that matter. We're already planning to do composting and compost toilets. I've done cloth diapers, some cloth pads, and cloth rags and towels, reusing, repurposing, and recycling, over the past 23 yrs of parenting. Since it's a kids job to do the trash and recycling currently, in our in town rental, they are all on board with having this low waste regime. This is how our grandparents lived before all this plastic came about!! Talk about going "old fashioned"! Lol I'm also surprised to see not many in my age bracket are talking about this. Seems millennials have this right!! They may get a bad rep, but THIS is what our children are doing to help save the planet they're inheriting.

[@annaskwierczynska]

I just came back from 3 wk holiday and most of that time I spent with my family. I volunteered with doing grocery shopping everyday (and using my cotton grocery bags) and cooking vegan meals. One time dad went grocery shopping with me and saw me 'in action' - saying no tank you to plastic bags. Also I showed my zero waste deodorant, body cream and toothpaste - my parents were rolling their eyes a lot :) However, I received a lot of compliments at the farmers market that I went to and made sure to pass them onto my parents. At the end of my holiday my parents and I had a discussion "what's the point in doing this?". I don't think they followed all my reasons but I ended up leaving some of my grocery cotton bags with them, so they can try themselves :)

[@Gittemary]

Amazing story and great work :D!

[@effieboo9275]

I know I will probably never get to the extreme of zero waste or like the women who had a year of her trash for in a mason jar, but I hope to cut down to 2 bags of garbage a year as I transition, aiming more for a "minimal waste" life style

[@saraaahmazing]

I'm vegan and I haven't lived with my parents in YEARS but I talk about my lifestyle with so much passion that they went vegetarian :) A thing that was difficult, though, was that they send me gifts a lot that have a lot of plastic doodads and such. I wanted them to know that I was totally grateful for the gifts and keeping me in mind but also that it's not very helpful for my minimalist/zero waste lifestyle. Basically I decided to thank them for their gifts (and for keeping me in their thoughts because, omg, they're so sweet) -- and basically told them it would basically be even more of a gift if they kept in mind by zero-waste lifestyle when if they wanted to gift me something -- therefore keeping in mind that plastic, unnecessary consumerism, etc are all bad for our planet :)

[@findingvictoria]

don't be preachy, just be cool. WELL SAID!

[@katherinekier]

first off, you're always adorable. but yes, I'm dealing with this now. my boyfriend and I live with his family for the moment, and we are starting to incorporate this lifestyle into an everyday routine. we save ALL glass jars and bottles from food and beer, so that when we move we won't have to spend so much on vases and storage containers. I've been reusing the same grocery bags for the past few weeks, but I'm hoping to get some mesh bags soon. I think you're right about leading by example, my mom told me she was gonna become a vegetarian cause she wants to be healthy like me, I almost cried lol.

[@susannahwoodham2395]

I live at home with my parents still. I go grocery shopping with my mom, I always make sure to bring my reusable bags. If we ever go out to eat I bring a stainless steel straw, jar for my drink, fork, and cloth napkins (I haven't been to a restaurant that wasn't okay with this). I made my own laundry and dish soap (I know my moms been using it). I put all of our left overs in glass containers. I've talked to my mom about it, she understands shes just not ready to let go how easy plastic and disposable things are!

[@Gittemary]

+Susannah Lerch I get it, we need to respect that our parents sometimes need a lot of practice and time, if they want to go plastic free. I know my parents try hard to understand as well :) !

[@smallforestdweller6999]

The first tip is really good. It's what I do, I don't tell people "you should be doing this" I just tell them about the things that I do and that I've changed, and then people get curious so they ask more questions :)

[@camillethionville3418]

I've been looking for a video like this for ages! Thank you!

[@robbie6724]

I'm 17 and I live with my dad and i recently made the decision to go zero waste (like a week ago...) and ive bought a few things and told my dad about it and it seems okay I do most of the grocery shopping (I have since my sister moved out and I went vegan) and I cook and clean so it wasnt rly a big issue but thank you for this video it is very helpful (-:

[@kiannamoss4896]

I get so excited when I see a new video from you! I absolutely adore your videos and your style and the way you think.

[@finsfurlife8235]

don't forget the easiest things to do like switch to bar soaps like shampoo bars and conditioner bars. and ones for you body and hands u can get these at stores pike chagrid valley soap and salve I just ordered for the first time today and I hope I love em

[@effieboo9275]

I actually have a question and I have been wondering about this transition for awhile. For instance before I contemplated zero waste I bought a bunch of ziplock bags for lunches, or we use plastic Tupperware and previously saved some plastic containers (cream cheese containers etc.) obviously some of these may be recyclable, but for the things that aren't should we finish using them? Gift them to someone else or get rid of them in some other way? and buying second hand do you not buy something just because it is plastic for instance a child's toy etc.? I guess my main question is about the transition process if you already have the items in your home or like the food storage containers aren't completely disposable as you can use them for years...sorry I hope you get my point I am getting long winded

[@amandaedgley8821]

Effie Shelie I'm just using what I have as many times as I can before throwing them out. I have ziplock freezer bags so I just use them over and over to freeze veggies until I have to throw them out. I have disposable face wipes so I cut them in half/thirds so at least I'm using them for more nights and I have a zero replacement ready when they run out.

[@MeanderingMeagan4]

I've been cutting out disposable things from my life for a little while, and something I think about is all the water I use washing these things. Sure, I'm not throwing them away, but I use a lot of water cleaning the things. Is this a concern or (I assume) this water waste is inconsequential to the energy used to produce the throw-away items. I also know of gray water systems but those are hard to come by.

[@barbramtz]

The process of making all of those disposable things actually needs a lot of water, so don't worry about it, you are doing the right thing.

[@Gittemary]

+Flying VS Farm (Miss B) Such great advice!

[@kmundwiller3936]

MeanderingMeagan We are moving off grid, and although we have a septic tank, we're installing a grey water system and doing composting toilets. The reason I'm not using my cloth diapers in our rental while we build is due to the cost of water in our town. It's more expensive to even cheap cloth diaper (I use cheap covers and flour sack towels) than to just buy paper. I feel awful about it, but we're almost done with our house that will have a well and solar. So, I know I can rectify it then. We will not have trash service, so it's Zero Waste, minimal recycling, and composting for us. We got a small parcel of land with no regs, so we're using it to the max to be sustainable and green. Even with 8 kids at home.

[@heyiamilse]

Hey! These are very good ideas. It's very important to not push people but inspire them. I have experienced it with my family and boyfriend. It looks a little bit like your dreadlocks are gone, are they? I love your jewellery. Love from Holland!

[@Gittemary]

+heyiamilse Agreed! And no, my dreads are not gone, just in a knot, they are perky as ever :')))

[@23521713456045012346]

This is very helpful, I appreciate this so much.

[@dianamuenzenmaier8275]

thank you this video is really helpful

[@Gaborillaa]

What If you already own a bunch of plastic containers? should I continue to use them till they are no longer usable? Or?

[@Gittemary]

When I started zero wasting and my plastic free living, I gave my plastic container to charity shops instead of throwing them away :-) also, I think some ended up with friends and family who wanted them :) hugs!

[@malloryfry]

Gabs Bissessar I recommend the latter option, because if you give them away you don't truly know if the person will use it to its full potential or discard it for something new even when it still has use. That's how I feel anyway

[@imperfectlyzerowaste3997]

This helps so much! Thank you! xx

[@NoveltyActCreations]

I live on my own, but I have a boyfriend. How do you recommend to get him on board when he doesn't really understand why I'm doing this. he uses my shampoo bars and homemade tooth paste but quite often will bring a bag of chips over or order pizza and then I end up with a TON of trash in my place.

[@kmundwiller3936]

NoveltyActCreations tell him by going ZW, he's taking out less trash. If he doesn't want to go on board, then delegate him the trash, and you will wash the dishes. Lol

[@jasminecoe3394]

just wondering what nationality you are and where you live now :)

[@avacurtis2729]

Most people have control of their bathroom products so long as they buy them. Find the cheaper eco products and maybe skip some stuff like dont wear makeup everyday.

[@stardust2415]

Do more thrift hauls.. U have such good taste. Or take us with you thrifting.. :)

[@Gittemary]

+Pam Lenon It is the next thing on my list, so it is coming :)) !

[@stardust2415]

+Gittemary Johansen :)