Graphic by Kinsey Ratzman ‘21
By Mimi Huckins ‘21
Features Editor
Once COVID-19 hit, my zero-waste lifestyle started to fall apart. Suddenly, waste was one of the last things on my mind and maintaining this lifestyle became unimportant. Some zero-waste influencers, like Lauren Singer, @trashisfortossers on Instagram, felt the same.
Singer became famous for an image of a year’s worth of her trash fitting into a single mason jar. But once the pandemic started, she publicly revealed on Instagram that she “created trash for the first time in 8 years.”
She wrote about how she has had to sacrifice some of her values and the practices she has preached for years amid the pandemic, but how it was a necessary sacrifice for the health and safety of everyone. Her message is important: We all need to make sacrifices — selfless sacrifices — that go against our values or beliefs in order to save lives.
It’s true that maintaining a low-waste lifestyle right now is hard, but there are ways we can stay safe and protect the health of others while choosing low-waste options. In fact, some zero-waste efforts are extra important and necessary due to COVID-19.
Make your own coffee — Getting coffee and bringing your own reusable cup is a zero-waste must! But with COVID-19, it’s not feasible. So suck it up and make your own! Whether you need to make a pot the night before or, as I do, use refillable Keurig cups, avoiding the coffee chains altogether is the best zero-waste option right now. It might be a convenient way to get a coffee, but chains like Dunkin’ and Starbucks don’t need your money right now, anyway. If you are going to buy a coffee, buy it from a local coffee shop that has compostable cups. It’s important, now more than ever, to support small local businesses.
Choose reusable masks over disposable — In a pinch, a disposable mask is way better than nothing. But reusable masks are cute, comfortable, effective and a great opportunity to support small businesses and independent artists! Etsy is a great place to find various styles of cloth masks. Remember to wash them regularly and double them up for extra safety.
Buy in bulk — Since more of us, especially Mount Holyoke students, are cooking for ourselves this year, try buying in bulk! Wholesale stores like Costco sell everything in bulk. Buying bulk food, especially non-perishable bulk food, will help you save money and reduce the amount of food packaging you throw in the trash. Buying in bulk is also a perfect option for buying sanitizing solutions and other cleaning supplies. Since we are all using them more often, buying larger bottles of what you are already going to use will cut down on plastic trash. Try buying a 1-gallon hand sanitizer and refilling a small bottle that you bring with you.