Tuesday, July 9, 2019, 7–8 p.m.
Zero Waste

What is it? Is it a lifestyle? Is it attainable? Where do you start? Can you still recycle? Is it realistic for a family? What are some easy zero waste alternatives?

This event we focused on discussing Zero Waste. I have summarized the main points of the meeting below and provided links for your convenience. (:

Topics from the meeting:

• What is it?
  • The simple definition: to send nothing to the landfill.

• The 5 R’s of Zero Waste
  • Step one: Refuse: Refuse what you don’t need. Accepting something is reinforcing the demand for it
  • Step two: Reduce: Letting go of unused/unneeded items makes them available to your community
    • Donate your items- be cautious and research the place to make sure they are ethical and follow through with their mission
  • Step Three: Reuse: Almost everything has a reusable alternative, do your research
    • Find additional uses for your unused items
    • Buy secondhand items
  • Step Four: Recycle: Goal is to recycle as little as possible, but it’s a good alternative to the landfill
    • Check Terra Cycle for more recycling options
  • Step Five: Rot: Composting!
    • Sign up for Minneapolis’ Organics’ Pickup
    • Drop off your compost at a St. Paul Drop off location
• Food Tips:
  • Buy through Imperfect Produce, using this link will give you $10 off your 1st box that’s shipped right to your door!
  • Buy through a local CSA, local farmers

• Helpful Tips:
  • OLIO, local food sharing app
  • Ecosia, environmental search engine that plants trees for your searches
  • Facebook “buy nothing” groups, trading or gifting groups
  • Next Door, neighborhood app, could share food or compost bins
  • Clean Cult, a zero waste cleaning products
  • Toothpaste:
    • Miswak Sticks, toothpaste tabs or powder, can be found at Tare Market

Resources:

• https://www.goingzerowaste.com/blog/what-is-zero-waste-what-is-the-circular-economy
• https://www.goingzerowaste.com/zero-waste-1
• https://phys.org/news/2017-06-recycle.html
• https://nosidebar.com/truly-zero-waste/
• https://www.moveforhunger.org/the-environmental-impact-of-food-waste/
• http://www.lhpowerandlight.org/benefits-of-composting.html