GETTING STARTED
Here is some information to get you started.
The first section, “Before You Start”, provides an overview of the waste-lite approach, explains why recycling can’t be the solution to reducing our carbon and environmental footprints, discusses how household waste impacts beyond your household and why you should feel good about any small step you take. The number one reason is that the first small step usually leads to many more…
The following section “New Habits” offers a few ideas to get you started with the Bin Bag Challenge.
The downloadable "weekly challenges" is a way to go through these different information and habits step by step. Download them, challenge yourself!
YOUR WEEKLY CHALLENGES
CHALLENGES - GETTING STARTED
Download the list of weekly challenges that will help you adopt new habits. You can use this list whether you are part of a group and coaching program, or on your own.
This first list, "Getting Started", typically runs over two weeks.
The sections below provide guidance and tips to adopt these habits.
Ready? Set? Go!
NEW HABITS
A selection of new habits to adopt to reduce your waste and your carbon footprint.
FEEL GOOD ABOUT EVERY LITTLE STEP YOU TAKE
Even if you are not doing it all.
Changing our habits can be overwhelming at first. You might already have this feeling just after reading this far! It can also be frustrating, as you won’t get exactly what you’ve been used to, and as there is so much to change before it has a visible impact. Changing our habits isn't always possible and depends on a lot of factors we can't always influence.
But changing one habit at a time is the only way to do it. Don’t aim for an overnight journey to zero waste. That will not happen – and you will just return to your old habits, finding zero waste too hard.
Take it easy, set ambitious yet achievable goals. The most important thing is to start – and you become a person who is taking action! Feel good about every one of your efforts, celebrate even the smallest change. It will be much easier to take the next step. And the next one.
Cutting down waste means stopping to buy things we do not really need - avoid shopping to soothe or treat ourselves, to keep up with the Joneses or to distract ourselves from boredom. But do keep the things you cherish and that bring you true joy. Cutting down waste isn’t all about depriving ourselves – it is rather about reducing our physical and mental clutter.
Reframe this change in your head as a move towards simplification. You can check the Netflix series with Mari Kondo, to see how decluttering can impact lives, well beyond our closets, or watch Graham Hill, talk about how less stuff brings more time, and reduces our environmental footprint.