Title : Is Zero Waste More Expensive?
link : Is Zero Waste More Expensive?
Is Zero Waste More Expensive?
At my lowest point this year, I lived out of my car. I don't want to spend much time discussing it, especially in light of what's happening today, because I know I had it really good. Everybody helped me and was nice to me and in between nights in a national park (or sunflower field, on hot nights), I enjoyed free travel to amazing places for work. So, for the record, I know my life is privileged and ridiculous and not anywhere near the realm of reality for most, even when I was broke and sleeping in a car. Before reaching that point, I sold off most possessions flaunted on this blog- my wedding ring, computer, and flatware, surprisingly, were the hardest to part with, and I didn't even like my wedding ring at first. Turns out that even with like twelve secondhand things a person can be materialistic (I still worked more than 40 hours a week and needed business attire, so I kept some clothes, sold others. I didn't want people to realize I lived out of my car, and having few possessions made this easier. I could hide everything I owned in a suitcase in the trunk). My mom used to joke that someday I'd live in a cardboard box but wear Versace. It's funny now that I look back on it. I'd never wear Versace!
The point of me mentioning this is, I know zero waste is not more expensive because I couldn't afford bottled water, chemical-laden personal products, or Kleenex, but I could refill a mason jar I found on the street at parks and libraries and use handkerchiefs I got for next to nothing at a thrift shop and washed in a waterfall with a multitasking bar of soap that was free from Whole Foods thanks to digital coupons. I can't eat gluten, so a lot of the packaged options most people rely on when they live in cars were impossible for me. Citrus and carrots and bulk nuts and other long-lasting fresh produce (including organic rescued produce) kept me healthy and satisfied instead. I still eat a lot of rescued and homegrown food even now, and a lot more raw foods without sauces or preservatives, since I couldn't cook in the car. This style of eating results in natural savings (note: this post is not directed at people who live in food deserts or who, because of environmental racism, do not have access to fresh fruits and vegetables).
Anyway now that I have a nice job at a great company and a nice home and I'm back to my fantasy life of tufting my own organic mattresses and grinding my own organic nut flours, I can write entitled posts like this again. Note these cost comparisons are not intended to reflect the typical expenses of the average middle-class young professional, just my own personal ones (back when I had a 401k and savings- when I was selling off possessions, you can bet I was not buying makeup or any nonessentials). These lists are partial, and do not include everything I bought in pre-zero waste days (it was too much... I got sick of typing). I got a lot of zero waste items for free or secondhand, but assumed highest possible costs, whereas for conventional items, I assumed lowest possible costs without coupons. Please remember: my version of zero waste does not have to be your version. If I have one sweater, I'm not saying you should have only one too. In fact, if I do something, that's a clue you should absolutely not do it! As Alden says, please take everything with a grain of Himalayan pink salt.
Beauty
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Pre-Zero Waste
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Zero waste
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Makeup For Ever HD foundation
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$43
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W3ll People mascara
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$21.99
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Nars blush / bronzer
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$42
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Elate cosmetics blush / bronzer and compacts (compacts are one time purchases)
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$68
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Dior mascara
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$29.50
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Ecotools brushes (one time purchase)
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$9.72
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Mac pressed powder
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$29
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Eyelash curler (purchased pre zero waste)
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$20
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Smashbox eyeliner pen
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$22
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Eyeliner
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$18
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Mac lipstick
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$17.50
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Urb Apothecary lip balm (four per year)
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$48
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Clinique toner
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$15
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Washcloths
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$7
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St. Ives Apricot Scrub
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$3
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Coconut oil (enough to fill a pint jar)
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$3
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Clean and Clear acne kit
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$17
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Castile soap (12 bars a year, and that's for everything- dishwashing, laundry, etc.)
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$41.88
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Neutrogena makeup remover wipes
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$7.99
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Essential oils (I usually make or get these for free, so I only buy three a year)
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$17.85
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Clinique makeup remover
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$19
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Brush with Bamboo Toothbrush (4 pack) and Dental Lace dispenser + four refills
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$26.72
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Cotton rounds
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$5.99
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Baking soda (I spend $29 per year on this on average, for everything)
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$29
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Toilet paper (assuming a 12 pack)
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$15.59
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Safety razor and blades (one time purchase)
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$32
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Philosophy body wash
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$18
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Mooncup (one time purchase)
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$25
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Jergens tanning lotion (which smells like garbage)
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$8.69
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Sugaring (yearly estimated)
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$36
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Shampoo and conditioner
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$7.33
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Total yearly cost
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$404.64
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Hair straightening serum
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$9.99
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Hair straightening protectant
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$10.99
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Tampons (three months worth)
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$15.25
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Razor and blades
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$23.99
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Total three month cost:
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$361
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Total yearly cost:
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$1,444
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Cleaning
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Pre zero waste
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Zero waste
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Windex
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$45.78
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Castile soap
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$41.88
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Clorox
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$12.06
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Vinegar
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$12
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Laundry detergent
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$41
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Lemons
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$5
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Pine sol
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$14
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Water
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$0
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Wood cleaner
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$3.49
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Baking soda
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$29
|
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Dryer sheets
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$11
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Flour sack towels
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$16
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Dishwashing liquid
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$15.54
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Dishwashing brush and heads
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$9
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Dishwasher detergent
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$15
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Yearly total
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$112.88
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Sponges
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$15
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Gloves
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$8
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Toilet cleaner
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$12
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Paper towels
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$36.40
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Yearly total
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$229.27
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I'm not going to buy a computer again, and I've been busy this week, so I'm not doing charts with the rest of my expenses. But I hope this is illustrative of things that can be simplified and reduced by going zero waste, even in small ways. Not eating meat and cheese saves money, as does packing lunches or cooking instead of eating takeout or convenience meals. It doesn't take much longer to wash or cut produce, and it's quicker for me to make my own cauliflower pizza at home than drive and wait in line for a vegan pizza at Pizzafire. A lot of items are more expensive in bulk, but it evens out with items like tea for instance (bulk Mariage Freres was cheaper than Lipton or Monoprix bags in Paris), or in reusing one time purchases vs. rebuying disposables. I surprisingly saved a lot of time and money on snow brushes, windshield wiper fluid, and deicer with my homemade concoctions and wooden snow brush- before, I replaced them yearly, since they kept breaking. Perhaps the biggest area people reduce is clothing expenses. Generally, secondhand costs less than fast fashion, and buying less typically yields savings. My Zara trench coat in 2008 cost 120 euro and barely lasted a season, but my camel winter coat was $19 and survived Kanye West's Pablo period.
I think when some balk at the prices of durable goods, they don't take into consideration the embedded costs associated with disposables, which are subsidized by other people. I get that everyone can't afford to worry about those. Some people are just struggling to get through one day at a time and can only expend enough mental energy to face what's right in front of them. I don't expect them to start buying organic or fair trade or anything. I don't expect anything from anybody. I just present these because hopefully they give people ideas on what's possible within the realms of zero waste. You can make small changes even if you don't sit at home all day and you have a real job or real problems. Not so long ago, I didn't think I could give up shampoo or weekly blowouts or clothes shopping or makeup (I don't wear makeup anymore). Then I thought, people survived for thousands of years without these things and were just fine. What makes me think I'm so special that I can't live without them either? Don't sell yourself short- you don't need a ton of stuff to be a productive, contributing member of society, or to be a good parent, or whatever. Happy zero waste week. I hope everyone is okay.
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