The Deliberate Consumer

It's Saturday and the end of the Zero Waste Challenge. Seven days of putting my garbage in a 750mL glass jar. So, how'd it go? The answer: Not at all bad! Here's what I have taken away from participating in the Zero Waste Challenge. It's easier with each challenge  My Zero Waste jar at beginning, middle, and challenge end Partaking in Plastic Free July meant that, when the time came for the Zero Waste Challenge, I had already adopted some of the habits necessary for success. I had already experienced the discomfort and growth that comes with reflecting on our existing ways and changing our habits for the better. This challenge was a welcome check-in on where I am at in persisting with those new and improved habits, as well as a welcome reminder that there are still ways in which I can do even more for our planet. The items that still get me: Q-tips (I'm no longer waiting on this box to empty and will be moving to a reusable ASAP) Produce stickers Bottle ...

Our pets. For so many of us, they are an integral part of our families and our lives. A house is not a home without a chosen animal to share affection with. And as of last year, 65% of us felt that way, having at least one pet at home.* Check out my three and I am sure they will elicit some "oooh"s and "aww"s. The daily happiness they bring is incalculable, to both ourselves and those we share them with. However, so too, is the potential amount of plastic and waste they contribute to our households. Well, perhaps not so incalculable. It is estimated that dogs and cats alone are responsible for generating up to 64 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses each year, due to the amount of meat that is required to manufacture their food.** And then there are the food bags themselves, the bags of treats, bags of litter, bags for picking up poop. And these are just some of the common items familiar to dog and cat owners. Once more, we could become overwhelmed even k...

Like disposable coffee cups, the rise of take-out options is a very challenging demand on our planet. It is part of a food service industry that is estimated to surpass $100 billion in sales by 2022*. With this growth in sales comes the potential for growth in waste as well - unless we do what we can to help this industry grow sustainably. And one of the biggest areas in need of change is take-out. Read on for some stats and steps we can take to help minimize the amount of takeout waste and make reusing as easy as to-go food options. Who's ordering take-out anyway? 54% The percentage of Canadians who purchase take-out food at least once/week.** 56% The percentage of dinner orders that are taken to-go.*** 10.8 million The number of Canadians who have used online food delivery options this year alone.*** (That's more than a 1/4 of us, folks). The environmental cost of take-out containers 2025 million The estimated number of take-out containers used each year in the ...

I suppose this is how a smoker kicking the habit feels. I know that when I swore off disposable cups, I experienced it. And now, having sworn off single-use plastics for the month of July, it is happening once more. I see single-use plastics EVERYWHERE. I reach for the egg carton in the fridge, and my arm stretches past the plastic bottle of mustard I had previously purchased (yes, that one is going to be a challenge to let go; at least until I find a recipe I can make myself that I like even more). I go to my beach volleyball league and don't see the beer, but the Jenga tower of  plastic cups left on the picnic tables. I stand across the parking lot at the grocery store and watch the plastic marching out the door. In my mind, it looks like the parade of talking hotdogs and soft drink cups that once graced the beginning of every movie. I half-smile at the young woman half-committed to the cause; reusable bag in her right hand and plastic bag in her left. Heck, I even noti...

Hello, all and thanks for dropping by! Today, I begin the 31 day plastic-free challenge. For those who would like to learn more, it is never too late to take part. You can find out more information, tips & tricks, and the link to sign up at  https://www.plasticfreejuly.org/ . Since swearing off disposable coffee cups as 2019's new year's resolution, this seemed the logical next step for me to take. Like breaking a bad habit, it will take time and resolve. However, there's nothing quite like millions of people across 170 countries pledging together to keep one on the straight and narrow. What's more, I am excited to come out the other side an evermore conscious and deliberate consumer. What's in it for you? What will you find here? I will be sharing some of our experiences throughout the month as my partner and I go through this journey, including hacks you can use at your own grocery store and where you can find some great plastic-free options that are cl...