Why I live a zero waste life | Lauren Singer | TEDxTeen

Summary

In this inspiring talk, the speaker shares her journey of living a zero waste lifestyle for three years, producing no trash and sending nothing to landfills. Initially motivated by frustration with a classmate's wasteful habits, she realized her own reliance on plastic and committed to change. She explains practical steps like avoiding packaged food, making her own products, shopping second-hand, and downsizing to reduce waste. The benefits include saving money, eating healthier, and living in alignment with her values. She encourages others to assess their waste, make simple changes, and consider DIY to reduce their environmental impact.

Takeaways

• 🚮 The speaker has been living a zero waste lifestyle for 3 years, producing no trash that goes to landfills or garbage cans.
• 🌱 The zero waste journey began during an Environmental Studies course at NYU, where the speaker was inspired to change after observing a classmate's wasteful habits.
• 🔄 The realization that personal consumption habits were contributing to environmental harm led to a commitment to stop using plastic.
• 🛍️ Transitioning to a zero waste lifestyle involved significant changes, such as avoiding packaged food, making personal care products, and shopping second-hand.
• 🍎 Adopting a zero waste diet meant buying fresh produce from farmer's markets and avoiding processed foods in packaging.
• 🧼 The speaker learned to make personal care products like toothpaste and lotion from natural ingredients, eliminating plastic packaging and harmful chemicals.
• 👕 Shopping second-hand for clothing reduced waste and saved money, aligning with the zero waste philosophy.
• 🏡 Downsizing possessions to only what is necessary led to a cleaner, less cluttered home and better care for the items owned.
• 💰 Living a zero waste lifestyle has financial benefits, including savings from avoiding packaged products, second-hand shopping, and reduced impulse buying.
• 🌿 Eating a zero waste diet has health benefits, such as weight stabilization, increased energy, and improved sleep, due to a diet rich in fresh fruits and vegetables.
• 🌍 The speaker's zero waste lifestyle is a personal choice driven by environmental values and the desire to leave a positive impact on the planet.
• 📚 The 'Zero Waste Home' blog by Bea Johnson was a significant influence, demonstrating that a zero waste life is achievable for families.
• 🛠️ DIY personal care and cleaning products offer complete control over ingredients, allowing for customization and transparency.
• 🗑️ The average American produces a significant amount of waste daily, highlighting the need for individual action to reduce personal waste output.
• 👗 The benefits of a zero waste lifestyle extend beyond environmental impact, including improved health and financial savings.
• 💡 The speaker encourages others to examine their waste, identify sources, and make simple changes to reduce their environmental footprint.
• 🚀 The speaker's blog and business aim to provide tools and alternatives for those interested in reducing waste, promoting transparency and safety in products.

Q & A

What does the term 'zero waste lifestyle' mean according to the speaker?

The term 'zero waste lifestyle' means not generating any trash, avoiding sending anything to landfill or garbage can, and not littering, as described by the speaker.

What was the speaker's initial reaction when she saw her fridge full of plastic-packaged items?

The speaker was shocked and couldn't believe that she was just as bad as the girl she was judging in her class, realizing that she too was contributing to plastic waste.

What were the main sources of trash the speaker identified in her life?

The main sources of trash the speaker identified were food packaging, product packaging, and organic food waste.

How did the speaker start making her own products?

The speaker started making her own products by learning how to make them through research, beginning with toothpaste made with baking soda, and gradually extending to other items like lotion and deodorant.

What is the significance of shopping second-hand according to the speaker?

Shopping second-hand is significant as it prevents new waste from entering the waste cycle and contributes to a zero waste lifestyle by reusing and recycling existing items.

What benefits did the speaker experience from living a zero waste lifestyle?

The speaker experienced benefits such as saving money, eating a healthier diet, having a cleaner and less cluttered home, and living in alignment with her values.

How does the speaker suggest people start reducing their waste?

The speaker suggests starting by examining one's trash to understand its composition, picking low-hanging fruit by making simple changes like using reusable bags, and learning to make DIY products.

What is the average amount of trash produced by an American per day, according to the speaker?

The average American produces approximately 4.4 pounds of trash per person per day.

Why did the speaker decide to start her own company?

The speaker decided to start her own company because she found a gap in the market for safe, effective, and transparent cleaning products and wanted to provide consumers with better choices.

How does the speaker respond to criticism that she lives a zero waste lifestyle for attention?

The speaker clarifies that she lives this lifestyle for herself and not for attention, and she aims to provide tools for others who want to reduce their waste production.

What is the speaker's ultimate goal with her zero waste lifestyle and business?

The speaker's ultimate goal is to be remembered for the positive impact she made on the planet rather than for the trash she left behind.