au-naturelliving-blog

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A list of things I don't want

I don't want your food that's wrapped in a pollutant.

I don't want your water that's bottled in a material that will end up chocking sea life.

I don't want your polyester named brand that kids are enslaved to make.

I don't want your cosmetic 'enhancer' that chemically induced indisposed animals

because I'm not 'good' enough without it.

I don't want your microbead face wash that will end up in in the food chain having detrimental effects on all.

I don't want your piece of plastic junk that I 'need' to be happy.

I don't want your non-renewable energy because the government won't help renewable be affordable to all.

I don't want to travel the entire globe because you've not 'lived' if you don't.

I don't want to travel in your metal contraption fuelled by a substance that when burned is killing our environment, a substance that countries are invaded for and lives are lost for.

I don't want your mutilated cow, skin seats because it's 'classy'.

I don't want your judgement because I don't want your gift wrapped in a material that was once an orang-utans home.

Society glamourises brutism

and alienates anyone who stands against this conformity.

I don't want this and I don't want to be told it's 'normal'.

[au-naturelliving-blog]

[au-naturelliving-blog]

A winter warmer treat

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[au-naturelliving-blog]

Treeful Treehouse EcoResort

Okinawa

© treeful.treehouse

[au-naturelliving-blog]

“Minimalism is asking ‘why’ before you buy.”

— Francine Jay

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[au-naturelliving-blog]

Guide to Zero Waste as a college student.

I know. Just the thought of it made me scared. When I first started a year ago, I dived head first and told myself if I didn’t start now, I would never start. It didn’t matter if I would make a mistake, I had to start and then learn from my mistakes.

Boi did I make a lot of mistakes. But I learned. Here are some steps you can take to become zero waste.

1. Look at your trash. 

What is in there? Plastic bottles? Straws? Jars? Wrappers? Foam containers of that one take away? Take a look at your trash and determine why you are producing that amount of trash.

2. Plan. 

After figuring out what’s in your trash think about what you can do to stop making it. I like to guide myself with these three questions:

Do I really need this in my life? If not, then it is a good time to stop buying/ using said thing.

If I do need it, is there an eco-friendly alternative? Do they sell it or should I look for a DIY-option? The important thing is not to get stuck just because you can’t get it!

What habits can I adapt to make transitioning easier for me?

3. Set goals. 

At first, I dived right into it. Which was probably not the best option. After some months I realized it would be better if I took one step at a time. Goals are a good way to get you there but the only way goals can actually work is of they are smart. These are some of the goals I had when I started.

Every day I must fill my reusable water bottle and take it everywhere with me. I am not allowed to drink from any plastic cups, straws any other form of packaging that is recyclable but not necessarily reusable.

Every day I must go out with my reusable straw and my utensils. In order not to forget them, I have to always keep a pair on each of my bags.

4. Keep track. 

I will admit: I am not perfect. But keeping tracks of what I do with zero waste helps me see what I can do better. And that’s what this movement is. What can we do to get a bit closer to producing no waste? Some people get discouraged but this personally encourages me to work harder.

So are you planning on becoming zero waste? Are you already part of the movement? Let me know!

-Shirou