I love everything eco conscious. Zero waste has been on my radar for a few years and social media knows it. So when I came across an enchanting zero waste Instagram, I took note and reached out.
Zero Waste Big Impact is a zero waste Instagram account ran by Mary Peggins who shares her eco conscious journey with us through her platform. I asked her if she would be willing to participate in an interview and share her secrets with us! The following is that interview!
Can you tell us your “Zero Waste” story? When did you first become aware of it? What inspired you to change? Was there a defining moment?
I first heard of zero waste from an old Buzzfeed Video made by Auri Jackson. She tried to produce zero garbage for a week. I was intrigued by this but didn’t do any more research into it. Then I saw an Instagram post by a friend at a Seattle market featuring Eco Collective, a zero waste shop. I was interested after that and wanted to learn more so I turned to my trusty friend the public library and checked out some books on the subject.
I read Zero Waste by Shia Su and was hooked! I realized just how simple it could be to start this lifestyle and how important the impact is. That book set me off and I immediately began my journey to living zero waste. It didn’t feel right to have read about the negative impacts of our consumer society and ignore them. I had to do something!
What are your biggest challenges of Zero Waste living?
Living Zero Waste requires a lifestyle change. Any time you start to change the things you are comfortable with you become uncomfortable. Living with this discomfort has been the biggest challenge. Sitting with this discomfort is where change really begins to happen. Things will start to become normal and that discomfort will go away. The initial change and the consistency required to keep them has been challenging but so rewarding when I think big picture. I do believe I am making an impact with small changes.
I feel like everyone fights me on my eco conscious changes. Do you find the people in your life adapt easily and happily to your zero waste ways or are they resistant? Do you have any tips for dealing with resistance?
Change isn’t easy, especially this one. It requires people to come to terms with the fact that the consumer single-use lifestyle we are used to is dangerous and detrimental to our planet.
I have found people to either be skeptical or open. Some people don’t think it really makes a difference to refuse one straw. Yet when you do refuse one, you’ll find yourself able to refuse more and it’s not weird! One of my friends actually said to me yesterday that she refuses more straws now! My mom started to try shopping bulk. If you do deal with resistance, just remind yourself that this lifestyle is hard and give grace to people.
This widely contrasts the norms we were used to. There are a lot of hard hearts out there. But if we all keep exposing them, maybe something will stick. Just keep doing you!
There’s a misconception out there that any sort of “green” living is exspensive. Do you find a zero waste lifestyle to cost you more money or save you more money?
I have found myself saving a lot of money! We pay for a lot of packaging. I live by myself so shopping for me is easy and doesn’t cost much in the first place. After going Zero Waste I’ve found that my grocery bills were even cheaper than before. It also helps that I’ve drastically cut back on my meat consumption.
Not only does buying in bulk save you money, it’s super easy! You don’t even need access to a “bulk store” that lets you fill jars. You can shop the bulk section at places like Fred Meyer and just reuse the bags or bring cloth ones. There are some items that are a little spendier but most aren’t!
I also save by not buying things I thought I needed. It might seem like you have to spend a lot at first but if you are buying things that are reusable, it will save you in the long run. I thought spending $40 on reusable paper towels was a lot for paper towels, but that’s the only time you EVER have to buy them. One and done!
We have been conditioned to think those prices are crazy. I mean you can buy paper towels for like $15 but you do that how many times a year? We have to rethink what we buy and why we buy it.
Rethinking your bathroom routine can save you loads! Do you really need a face cream, eye cream, under eye cream, zit cream, and whatever else cream? No. You really don’t. You do need a good moisturizer for your skin type though. If you’re putting it on your face, why not make it natural? Sure that all-natural moisturizer in a glass jar handmade and sold at your local farmers market may be more expensive than you’re used to, but think about where your money is going! It’s helping a dream someone had about owning a business come true and that feels good. And 9 times out of 10 these products last longer! If you’re afraid it’s going to cost more, just try it for a month and see for yourself!
What have been your most dramatic changes?
For me it was my shopping habit and my kitchen habits. I realized that I needed to rethink a lot of what I ate and how I got that food. I ate a lot of packaged food. A LOT. I would go to Trader Joe’s and everything was covered in plastic and I would put everything in plastic. It was really bad. I had to really push myself to not say “well it’s just one plastic bag” and go for the more “inconvenient” option of whole mushrooms versus sliced ones. But now I can’t imagine having a whole haul of plastic!
It also took a bit to train myself to grab a reusable bag before going into stores. In regards to the kitchen, I’ve made several stops and swaps I did not think I would. I’ve stopped buying ziplock bags and paper towels. I swapped Dawn dish soap for a block kitchen soap and silicone baking sheets for aluminum foil. I did not think I would like living like that but I actually do!
Do you have any tips, tricks or hacks for zero waste living?
Tip: Do your research! Read books, articles, blogs, anything! It helps remind you of why you are doing this and keeps you informed. I don’t believe in following blindly. If you are interested in this do some research and decide how to start your journey.
Tricks: Start small. If you’re new to this, start with something that sounds manageable and sustainable. It won’t do you any good to jump all in and fail a week later. Think about what you can do right now. Whether that is refusing a straw or using a reusable bag, every little bit counts. If we all start doing these “little” things, it can add up to a big difference.
Hacks: Use what you have! You probably already have a lot of things you think you need to start this lifestyle. There are posts out there about products that promote zero waste but reality is you probably already have something that works just as well. A glass jar goes a long way. Coconut oil can be a great moisturizer. Corn meal can be a great exfoliant (used sparingly). Honey can actually clean your face. French presses aren’t just for coffee, hello loose leaf tea or introduce it to homemade nut milks. An old t-shirt is really just a new set of cleaning rags.
It’s hard to find things that “check all of the boxes” such as zero waste, ethically sourced, nontoxic, etc. How do you navigate these with your shopping habits?
This is so hard and I am still struggling with this. However I believe that if you make this a priority you will find a way. I am privileged to live in an area where I know I can find items that check off all the boxes. If these items aren’t as easily available, don’t stop until you find them. I actually am just starting to switch my focus from zero waste to ethically sourced and local. I definitely find those items a lot harder to incorporate into my life but I know it’s for the best! Right now I’m making sure majority of my items are zero waste because that was my first priority. If I can find it in bulk or in recyclable packaging I will buy it like that. My shopping habits are still evolving and my research never stops.
Have you noticed any unintended benefits from switching to this lifestyle?
I shop a lot healthier! I have always eaten a relatively healthy diet but this really had me eating my fruits and veggies. Unwrapped produce is the easiest thing to buy whereas unwrapped animal products are a lot harder to come by. Cheese, meat, and frozen pizzas are always wrapped so I typically avoid those. Which is probably better for my skin. My skin has been better too! I’m not putting harmful chemicals on it anymore. I also think my whole spirit has changed. I honestly didn’t think I would last long living this way but I proved myself wrong. I have pushed myself out of my comfort zone. My spirit is stronger because of it. It also helped my bank account.
What are some of your favourite things about living a zero waste lifestyle?
I think it is a lot of fun thinking of different ways to get around challenges. I had to change a lot of the things I did or ate and now I’m having fun coming up with new ideas. I also love how good it makes me feel. I can die knowing that I did something to help our planet. I was big on trying to recycle and compost so this fits right in. It’s also just a big challenge that I feel like I can win. When I have a very little garbage bag for the week, it feels like a success. There are lots of little victories. Like going to fill up jars and having the cashier commend you for your efforts. Also it is so fun to fill up jars at the store!
Are there any other myths or misconceptions you’d like to bust?
As an African-American female, I would like to point out that this lifestyle isn’t just for white people. POC can participate in this and make these changes as well. It’s not bougie either. There is a space for you.
Anything else you’re feeling called to mention or talk about?
Disclaimer: I am in no way an expert on zero waste. I am still learning and adjusting. I make mistakes. I have moments of little self-control. I am human. I am still beginning a lot of changes. If you were to come into my home you would see a lot of things that are not zero waste. I’m still unsure of how to swap things or I’m too attached to let go (I love you Tresemme Luxurious Moisture Conditioner).
I hope you enjoyed this interview as much as I did! I love all of the points Mary gives us! Zero waste is for EVERYONE! It’s not just a aesthetic. It’s a meaningful, thoughtful lifestyle that anyone can pursue. No matter your demographic, ethnicity or monetary status.
I also love how real she is about the process. The internet can be misleading. We only see what we are allowed to see and so many (sometimes unconsciously) withhold the parts of their journey where they fall short of their ideals and what they speak on. Zero waste, like any other lifestyle, is about progress towards a certain way of living and not about flawlessly living in that way. We are all imperfect humans, doing the best we can.
I hope Mary inspired you as much as she did me! Here’s some more information on who she is and where you can follow her for more!
Mary’s Bio:
I’m Mary Peggins. I have been living zero waste for the past 8 months and love it! I’m an Aquarius Enneagram 7 living near Seattle, Washington. I currently teach first grade and am looking into how to transfer this lifestyle into my classroom. You can usually find me binging Netflix, scrolling Instagram, reading, or sleeping.
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