M11.5: Zero waste life

I felt really inspired after watching the video of Lauren Singer discuss how she lives a zero waste life. It is shocking that the average American person produces 4.4 pounds of waste per day! That is hard to comprehend and I do not think I produce that much waste and I am doing more and becoming more conscious about the waste I produce. For me, one of the changes I have started to make is composting and also limiting the amount of packaged foods I buy which has been a challenge. I never realized how nearly every product we buy is packaged in plastic. I really like how she talked about creating her own products and I hope to one day create my own products as well. What also came to mind for me is the waste that my dog produces. She was diagnosed with Addison’s disease this year so she needs to take a small dose of prednisone everyday which makes her have to pee more frequently. I take her for walks first thing in the morning and at night but she uses the pee pads during the night and when I am away for a long day of work and school. I always feel so guilty picking up the pads and plan to search for another alternative. I also have to order her medicine every 45 days or so and it always comes in new plastic containers and I wish there was a way I could just go to the compounding pharmacy and have them refill her prescription with the bottles I already have. In addition I plan to look at all the products I use and see where I can make small gradual changes, which will be better for both our planet and myself in the long run. It will definitely be a challenge to create such little waste over the years that would fit in a small mason jar like Laurens, but I hope to make small changes and inspire my friends and family to do the same.