In the environmental activism scene, there’s a bit of a debate over where “real” change comes from.
Some argue that individual actions add up over time, some say that things can only be improved when action is taken at a systemic level, and many try to combine the two approaches. Sometimes, environmental stewards will shame others for not doing it all, or for being eco-friendly “incorrectly”.
We know that feelings of shame, fear, and confusion don’t incite action, they stop it in its tracks. Decision fatigue is real; every time you doubt if you’re doing the right thing, you’re going to get a little less motivated to do anything at all. Not to mention the climate anxiety concerns, where every step towards eco-friendly living forces us to confront just how high the stakes are.
Life Unplastic was made to be a place where shame runs for the hills. We’re curious, we’re compassionate, and we’re community-focused. Every time we share a tip or trick about getting rid of single-use plastics, our aim is to help people who want to learn and maybe don’t know where to start. You’ll never catch us judging people for where they are on their zero-waste journey, because the reason this whole place was founded was to get away from the shame of not being able to do it all. We were made for the busy workers, parents, and students who have to juggle sustainability with their budget, free time, and mental wellbeing. We know it’s hard. So we’re very interested in the imperfect low-not-zero-waste lifestyle.
While we do everything we can to reduce waste in the shop, building sustainable practices into the structure of everything behind the scenes and on the shelves, we understand that there isn’t a way to achieve true zero waste in today’s society. In that way, individual action does fall short. But that doesn’t make it less important.
Our expertise is in daily interactions, friendly guidance, and small steps. So we follow that. Some earth heroes are drawn to environmental policy, political activism, or corporate leadership to change entire systems. We consider it our job to help them by making climate change a household topic and plastic-free living an approachable idea. We want to help people who don’t feel a calling towards Greta-Thunberg-tier activism, but want to make changes in their lifestyle anyway. In short, we believe that an all-or-nothing approach doesn’t help anyone involved. Neither individual action nor policy change can succeed without the other.
Rather than argue about the best course of action, we want to encourage people to just do whatever they can.
After all, it takes a village! If you feel most fulfilled being politically active and spreading the word, do that. If you are interested in a toxin-free home, reduce your impact that way. If you’re often too frozen to do anything at all, simply bring your own reusable bags to the grocery store. Baby steps are still steps.
Plastic Free July is a challenge to reduce your own individual plastic use and waste. Internally, the Life Unplastic team was wondering how to approach a plastic-free living challenge with grace within the context of… everything else. No one can ignore that there is a need for systemic change for the planet. How could we tell our fellow non-billionaire citizens to change their habits when so much more needs to be done? Ultimately, we landed on the simple fact that people are all we have. Someone — many someones — are fighting for the Earth on a broad, world-changing scale, and we would hate for them to be fighting alone. So while we may not have the time, or energy, or expertise to research plastic alternatives, lobby for recycling mandates, or build walkable cities, we won’t let that stop us. Helping others make those changes starts with shifting our lives away from the waste that haunts our planet. Besides, who’s to say when exactly those everyday habit switches become a huge cultural movement?
So while Plastic Free July focuses on individual action in a world controlled by systems, we still think it’s worthwhile to participate. Systems are made of individual people! For this month, dedicate a little more time than usual to replacing plastic with reusable or biodegradable alternatives, and challenge your peers to do the same. If you don’t know where to start (and it can be overwhelming), we’ll be here with tips and tricks to unplastic many different parts of your life, from cleaning, to meals, to pets. Follow along in the Eco Chat, or on our Instagram @unplasticgnv.
While individual action by itself isn’t the whole picture, each of us can benefit from changing our everyday habits. There are all kinds of reasons to enjoy a plastic-free life, besides the satisfaction of knowing that you aren’t contributing to the trash piling up in our oceans and in our neighbor’s countries. If you want to learn more about the health and financial benefits of low-waste, or maybe you want some good talking points to bring up next time you’re talking to a consumerist convenience-addict, read this blog here. If you want to know when we upload blogs, or when we’re holding events, subscribe to our mailing list! Once a month, we send out a round-up of our activities and announcements. It’s a great way to stay informed and connected!
Thank you for reading!
Have any thoughts or questions? DM us on instagram or email us at unplasticgnv@gmail.com. We’d love to hear from you!