One day while scrolling through my phone, I was shocked by a news item: a casually discarded plastic bag takes 500 years to fully decompose! Even more heartbreaking was the discovery of a beached whale in certain waters with its stomach full of plastic waste. This made me start pondering a serious question: where do all the trash we carelessly throw away every day end up? Will they, like those plastic bags, persist on Earth for hundreds of years?
These questions kept lingering in my mind. As someone born in the 90s, I've grown up accustomed to a disposable lifestyle. Takeout, deliveries, single-use items - these seem to have become indispensable parts of our generation's life. But when I realized the environmental cost behind these conveniences, I decided to change.
So I began trying to live a zero-waste lifestyle. Honestly, it was quite chaotic at first, and I felt completely overwhelmed. However, after 21 days of persistence and practice, I gradually found my own rhythm. Looking back now, this lifestyle isn't as difficult as imagined, and it has actually made my life more fulfilling and meaningful.
Before officially starting my zero-waste life, I spent a lot of time understanding the core principles of this lifestyle. Zero-waste living emphasizes the 5R principles: Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, and Rot.
When I first saw these English words, I thought they were very complicated. But later I discovered that they were simply teaching us to think about every choice in our daily lives in a more environmentally friendly way. For example, asking ourselves before buying something: Do I really need this? Can I buy less? What else can I do with it after use? If it needs to be thrown away, can it be recycled? If it's kitchen waste, can it be composted?
These questions seem simple, but putting them into practice requires great courage and determination. Because it means changing our consumption habits formed over many years and reexamining our relationship with objects. For young people accustomed to a fast-paced life, this is undoubtedly a significant challenge.
My zero-waste journey began with a "trash audit." It's actually just recording all the waste I produced in a week. This process shocked me: plastic packaging accounted for most of the total waste, with takeout containers alone making up a third!
Thinking about it, it makes sense - when busy, I often order takeout, easily accumulating a pile of containers in a week. Not to mention various snack packaging and delivery boxes. These seemingly convenient items actually place a huge burden on Earth.
After realizing this issue, I began preparing some basic equipment. First were various cloth bags, adding up to more than a dozen, to replace plastic bags when shopping. Then a stainless steel thermos, so I wouldn't need to buy bottled water anymore. Also lunch boxes, which can hold both lunch and bulk food ingredients when grocery shopping.
This equipment cost nearly 300 yuan upfront, but it's a worthwhile investment in the long run. Just by not buying bottled water and plastic bags, I can save quite a bit in a year. Plus, these items are of good quality and can last for several years.
Previously when grocery shopping, my cart was often filled with various snacks, drinks, and instant noodles - I'd grab whatever came to mind. Now I make shopping lists in advance, mostly fresh ingredients and necessities. Every time I go out, I bring cloth bags and glass jars, which helps avoid using plastic bags.
Many people might not know that many supermarkets now have bulk sections where you can bring your own containers to buy rice, nuts, dried goods, and more. This not only reduces packaging waste but is also cheaper than pre-packaged items. I calculated that just by buying in bulk, I can save over 100 yuan each month.
Moreover, bringing your own containers has another advantage: precise control over purchase quantities. Previously with pre-packaged ingredients, I often couldn't finish large portions and had to throw them away. Now I can buy according to actual needs, saving money and reducing waste.
Shopping lists have also helped me break the habit of impulse buying. I used to be attracted by various promotional activities in supermarkets, buying lots of unnecessary things. Now with a list, I can strictly follow the plan and won't be distracted by various temptations.
The kitchen is probably where most household waste is generated. My kitchen transformation focused on two aspects: reducing single-use items and properly handling food waste.
First was replacing various disposable items. Plastic wrap was replaced with glass containers and beeswax wraps, plastic bags with cotton bags, and disposable straws with stainless steel ones. While these alternatives require a larger initial investment, they last longer and are more economical in the long run.
Beeswax wraps deserve special mention - they're really useful. They can wrap food and cover bowls, completely replacing plastic wrap. After use, they just need to be rinsed with cool water and can be reused after drying, making them especially environmentally friendly.
Food waste handling is also an important issue. Now I collect organic waste like fruit peels and vegetable leaves separately for composting. Although I live in an apartment, I have a sealed compost bin on the balcony, so there's no need to worry about odors.
Composting isn't as complicated as imagined. Just maintain the right ratio of dry to wet materials and turn it regularly, and you'll quickly get quality organic fertilizer. I use this fertilizer to grow some herbs and vegetables, which not only beautifies the balcony but also provides fresh ingredients.
Through these changes, my kitchen waste has reduced significantly. Instead of taking out trash daily, I now only do it every three or four days. And because I've developed planned shopping habits, ingredient utilization has improved, and there's almost no more hoarding and spoilage.
Honestly, changing personal care habits was one of the most challenging parts. After all, these directly relate to personal hygiene and image, and any misstep could affect quality of life. But after some time experimenting, I found many eco-friendly alternatives work just as well as traditional products.
First was choosing toothbrushes. I switched from plastic to bamboo toothbrushes. The bristles are biodegradable, and after use, you can remove them and throw the bamboo handle directly into the compost bin. Although they're more expensive than regular toothbrushes, it feels worthwhile knowing I'm contributing to environmental protection.
Then came cleaning products. I tried solid shower bars and shampoo bars, which was probably the hardest part to adapt to. At first, I felt they weren't refreshing enough, but gradually realized this was just a misconception caused by previous over-cleaning. Now with solid bars, my skin and hair are actually healthier.
Skincare choices also changed. I used to be attracted by various fancy packaging and bought lots of skincare products. Now I prioritize products in glass packaging that can be recycled. Plus, by simplifying my skincare routine, my skin condition has actually improved.
Women might worry about makeup. Actually, many brands now offer refillable designs or product recycling services. When choosing cosmetics, I particularly focus on brands with these environmental concepts.
In this era of fast fashion, clothes might be the hardest consumption item to control for many young people. Every time there's a sale, we can't resist buying, resulting in closets full of clothes yet feeling like we have nothing to wear.
Now when buying clothes, I pay special attention to fabric quality and durability. I'd rather spend more money on a few quality basic pieces than buy lots of cheap clothes that quickly go out of style. This not only reduces clothing waste but also helps develop my personal style.
For clothes I no longer wear, I organize them regularly. Those still wearable are exchanged with friends or sent to second-hand markets. Pure cotton clothes that can't be worn anymore can be cut into cleaning cloths, continuing to serve a purpose. Through this method, my closet has become more organized, and outfit coordination has become easier.
It's worth mentioning that I've found renting clothes is also a good option. For formal wear or special occasion outfits, rather than buying something to wear once and then store away, renting is better. Many platforms now offer such services, which is both environmentally friendly and economical.
After 21 days of practice, my life has changed significantly. Most noticeably, my waste volume decreased by 60% - previously I had to take out trash 3-4 times a week, now once a week is enough.
There have also been clear economic benefits. Not buying bottled water and using a thermos for tap water saves 50 yuan per month. Bringing lunch instead of ordering takeout saves at least 450 yuan monthly. Adding other savings, I can save nearly 1000 yuan per month.
But more importantly, my quality of life has improved. Because I don't have to constantly deal with garbage, my home is cleaner. Because I cook my own meals, my diet is healthier. Because my clothes are well-organized, coordinating outfits is more effortless.
The most important aspect of zero-waste living is changing your mindset. Every time I want to buy something, I ask myself several questions: Do I really need this? Is there a more environmentally friendly option? Can I borrow or buy second-hand?
Many people might think zero-waste living is troublesome, but it becomes natural once you develop the habits. Like carrying a canvas bag when going out, bringing your own cup when buying drinks - these small actions aren't difficult.
It's important to understand that zero-waste doesn't mean you have to completely stop generating waste immediately. It's a gradual process, and you can start with the easiest parts. Just like me, start by recording your waste, then change step by step, slowly developing new lifestyle habits.
This 21-day experiment made me realize that environmental protection is actually all around us. Everyone can do something for Earth, even if it's a small change. When these small changes accumulate, they can make a big impact.
If you also want to start a zero-waste life, why not begin today by trying to record your waste generation? I believe you'll also find, like me, that this process is full of rewards and helps you discover your own eco-friendly lifestyle.
Remember, Earth is our shared home, and protecting the environment requires everyone's participation. Let's take action together, for a better future, starting with the small things.
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