minimalism + zero waste

“Minimalism is inherently a form of environmental activism… you choose to buy less overall with a focus on purchasing quality, long-lasting goods… when you refine your consumption habits to support your pure needs and selected wants, you are, in a small but significant way, decreasing your demand for the manufacture of new items.”

― Cary Telander Fortin and Kyle Louise Quilici, New Minimalism

Combining the minimalist and zero waste lifestyles together may seem like a daunting and impossible task, but it’s absolutely not. There are ways we can gracefully give away our things without creating any waste. And once we do that, we can use zero waste practices to limit our consumption. 

Both minimalism and zero waste have a common goal ― a conscious and intentional reduction of consumption so that we are able to have space in our lives for more meaningful pursuits. As we look into our daily habits and distinguish our wants from our needs, we’ll become more mindful of our consumption and purchases and become more deliberate with them so that we strike a good balance between these two lifestyles. 

A powerful thing that we can do for ourselves is to become aware of how the media and our culture and peers influence our thought process and our buying decisions. This alone will be a game-changer for us as we pursue both minimalist and zero waste living.

PS: If you enjoyed this essay, I’d encourage you to read my book Daily Minimalism (The Daily Learner, Book 4). The condensed timeless knowledge in the daily meditations will help you navigate through the complexities that come with modern living and guide you in your quest to living a happy and meaningful life.

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